throbber
(12) United States Patent
`Iyengar et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`US006360205B1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`OBTAINING AND UTILIZING
`COMMERCIAL INFORMATION
`
`Inventors: Maya L. Iyengar, Aurora; Aaron J.
`Reid, Lakewood; Antoine K. Tofi'a,
`Parker; Russel W. Heithofi', Aurora, all
`of CO (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: T‘rip.com, Inc., Englewood, CO (US)
`
`JP
`
`8/1999 Okawa ........................ .. 705/5
`5,933,810 A *
`8/1999 Kanemitsu .... ..
`705/6
`5,940,803 A *
`
`.......... .. 701/201
`9/1999 Delorme et al.
`5,948,040 A *
`9/1999 Oneda ......................... .. 705/5
`5,953,705 A *
`.. 705/5
`5,978,770 A * 11/1999 Waytena et al.
`
`....................... .. 707/5
`5,983,220 A * 11/1999 Schmitt
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`*
`
`409114885 A
`
`5/1997
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“http://www.usairways.com”, “Itinerary, Price and Alterna-
`tive”, p. 1, 1998.*
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—James P. Trammell
`Assistant Examiner—Pierre E Elisca
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sheridan Ross P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`invention, a method for
`In accordance with the present
`providing reservation information related to airline flights,
`lodging, transportation and the like using a communications
`network is disclosed. In one embodiment, access to a server
`machine is divided into sessions. During a first session a user
`machine makes a first request for reservation information
`from the server machine. This first request includes input
`data from a first customer which relates to the desired
`
`reservation information. For example, the first customer may
`input travel times in the hopes of booking a flight which
`corresponds to those times. The server machine requests the
`reservation information from a number of target sites based
`upon the input data. Included in the number of target sites is
`a first and second target sites. The server machine obtains
`reservation information which includes first and second
`
`reservation information respectively from the first and sec-
`ond target sites.
`
`37 Claims, 29 Drawing Sheets
`
`Microfiche Appendix Included
`(3 Microfiche, 150 Pages)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Appl. No.: 09/263,310
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 5, 1999
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/106,423, filed on Oct. 30,
`1998.
`
`Int. Cl.7 .............................................. .. G06F 17/00
`U.S. Cl.
`............................................ .. 705/5; 705/80
`Field of Search .............................. .. 705/5, 80, 79,
`705/6
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,775,936 A * 10/1988 Jung ........................... .. 705/5
`4,931,932 A *
`6/1990 Dalnekoff et al.
`705/5
`5,237,499 A *
`8/1993 Garback ...... ..
`705/5
`5,239,480 A *
`8/1993 Huegel
`.... ..
`705/5
`5,253,165 A * 10/1993 Leiseca et al.
`705/5
`5,253,166 A * 10/1993 Dettelbach et al.
`705/5
`5,289,371 A *
`2/1994 Abel et al. ................... .. 705/5
`5,422,809 A *
`6/1995 Griffin etal.
`................ .. 705/5
`5,483,444 A *
`1/1996 Heintzeman et al.
`705/5
`5,570,283 A * 10/1996 Shoolery et al.
`...... ..
`705/5
`.
`5,652,867 A *
`7/1997 Barlow et al.
`395/500
`5,732,398 A *
`3/1998 Tagawa ....... ..
`705/5
`5,781,892 A *
`7/1998 Hunt et al.
`705/5
`5,797,127 A *
`8/1998 Walker et al.
`............... .. 705/5
`5,832,451 A * 11/1998 Flake etal.
`.................. .. 705/5
`5,832,454 A * 11/1998 Jafri et al.
`..
`705/6
`5,839,114 A * 11/1998 Lynch ......................... .. 705/5
`
`
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`CONTACT AGENT AND REQUEST —/
`RESERVATTON TNFGRMATTON
`AGENT ERTERS REQUEST —' 1806
`W0 USER MACHNE
`Tv
`REL\V REQUEST To
`THE SERVER NACHTNE
`
`4302
`
`~18“
`
`ML
`com ENTTONAL CR8
`QUERY
`
`1513
`
`\/ §
`
`
`SER“/FR \«AcHAE DBTAINS AGGREGATE
`RESERVATTGN TNFORMATTON
`1/1818
`1v
`T822.
`4 PRESENT RESULTS To AGENT
`/4225
`aoox
`,,9{«\
`K3
`/\.”.'\Tr< CR8 GR SERVER
`V\’ACHNE'7
`NCRTM CR8
`BOOXNG
`PROCEJURE
`4830 6/
`
`SERVER
`
`(1834
`
`mass
`o5TA'N PRDHLE
`\NFORMAT|OI\. FOR
`Booms
`
`1842
`
`'
`
`(E-S6’
`
`REEGRMAT PRCETLE To
`CREATE ACCOUNT AND BOOK
`FL VGHT av TARGET MACHTNE
`
`TARGET //ACHTNE
`,*, FULFTLLS TTCKETAND
`PROWJES SUPPORT
`‘‘ (E50
`
`PLAID 1014
`
`

`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“US Airways Launches Internet Reservations System”, PR
`Newswire, 1616, Oct. 1998.*
`“Software Provides Access to Airlines”, USA Today, p. 1B,
`Oct. 1995.*
`
`“Select Your Departure
`
`US Airways Offers online awards:, Air Transport World,
`V34, n 12 p 54, Dec. 1997.*
`“http://www.usairway.com”,
`Flight”, p. 1, 1998.*
`“http://www.usairways.com”,
`information”, p. 1, 1998.*
`“http://www.usairways.com”, “Reserve a Flight”, p. 1,
`1998.*
`
`“Review the
`
`ticket price
`
`“http://www.usairways.com”, “No Quotable Fare”, p. 1,
`1998.*
`
`“http://www.usairways.com”, “Login to Personal Travel
`Works”, p. 1, 1998.*
`Website of Travelterminal.com, 1999.*
`Maddox, K., “Traveling on the web”, Informationweek, Jan.
`1997.*
`
`Website of travelocity.com, 1999.*
`Woods, L., “Booking your trip online”, Kiplinger’s Personal
`Finance Magazine, May 1997.*
`McWill—iams, G., “Clipping Wings on the Web”, Business
`Week, 1997.*
`M2 PressWire, Internet Travel Network: Internet Travel
`Network Completes Strategic Investment from United Air-
`lines, May 1998.*
`Pack, T., “Travel Sites”, Link—Up, Sep. 1997.*
`Flint, P., “Sabre Unleashed”, Air Transport World, Nov.
`1996.*
`
`Website of dealtime.com, 1998.*
`PR NewsWire, “PR Newswire California Summary”, Dec.
`1998.*
`
`Derwent —ACC—NO: 2000—365835; Heithoff, R. W. et al.,
`May 2000.*
`The Economist, “Roboshop”, Jun. 14, 1997.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 0129
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`
`
`108
`
`FIRST TARGET
`MACHINE
`
`ACCOUNT
`
`DATABASE
`
`RESERVATION
`
`DATABASE
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`SERVER
`MACHINE
`
`
`MEMORY
` SECOND
`TARGET
`MACHINE
`
`I04
`
`FIRST USER
`MACHINE
`
`CONTENT DISPLAY
`SOFTWARE
`
`
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`SECOND USER
`MACHINE
`
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`CONTENT DISPLAY
`SOFTWARE
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`
`RENAVQXIEN
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`n IIITARGET
`MACHINE
`
`ACCOUNT
`DATABASE
`
`I04
`
`nth USER
`MACHINE
`
`comm onsmw
`
`SOFTWARE
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`ACCOUNT
`DATABASE
`
`RESERVATION
`DATABASE
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`w,
`
`S
`
`92fl.02
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`m522322::
`
`%mamM:§>:2E92.52%
`
`P558
`
`2SE28
`EmW.NE
`
`zo_z§2z_
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`O2m_z_:o<s_Ezmm
`
`N.O_n_
`
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`zo_:§§z_zo_:EE3:222II
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`
`
`
`zo:§_><zBEEzo_:§_Ez_:38:5;
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`3OO
`
`USER INTERFACE
`
`
`DISPLAYS THE LOGIN PAGE, QUERY FORM, RESULT PAGE,
`AND MISCELLANEOUS CONTENT. THIS PACKAGE ALSO
`
`
`HANDLES THE BOOKING PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES
`
`PROFILE CREATION AND MODIFICATION.
`
`
`
`308
`
`CONTROL MODULE
`
`304
`
`
`
`ACCEPTS REQUESTS TO PERFORM A
`SEARCH, CREATE AN ACCOUNT ON A
`TARGET SITE, OR MODIFY AN ACCOUNT ON
`ATARGET SITE.
`
`
`
`HANDLES ALL HIGH LEVEL
`
`
`
`DATABASE INTERFACE
`
`DATABASE INTERACTION.
`
`
`
`RETURNS QUERY RESULTS, OR STATUS
`INFORMATION FOR AN ACCOUNT
`CREATE/MODIFY.
`
`
`FROM THE CONTROLMODULE.
`OUTPUTS HISTORICAL DATA TO THE
`
`REPORTING MODULE
`REPORTING MODULE.
`
`
`
`RECEIVES HISTORICAL DATA
`
`
`
`
`LOGGING MODULE
`
`
`LOGS A VARIETY OF OPERATIONAL
`INFORMATION FROM EACH PROCESS.
`
`‘316
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 0f 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`TITLE PAGE/LOGIN PAGE
`(FIG. 5)
`
`(FIG. 6)
`
`GATHER FIRST PAGE OF
`PROFILE INFORMATION
`FROM USER
`
`408
`
`GATHER SECOND PAGE
`
`(FIG. 7)
`
`OF PROFILE
`
`INFORMATION
`
`“‘
`
`QUERY FORM
`(FIG. 8)
`
`416
`
`412
`
`PROGRESS PAGE IS
`DISPLAYED DURING SEARCH
`
`(FIG. 9)
`
`420
`
`424
`
`DISPLAYSEARCH RESULTS
`
`SEARCH AGAIN wnn
`
`DIFFERENT SEARCH
`CRITERIA
`
`(FIG. 10)
`
`
`
`
`WHAT DOES
`THEUSERWANTTO
`
`DONEXT?
`
`
`
`
`
`428
`
`PERFORM A
`NEW SEARCH
`——-
`
`BOOK
`
`A
`434
`
`“IE
`,5
`REQUESTNEEDED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPLETE;
`
`
`
`430
`
`
`
`
`INFORMATION
`(FIG. 11)
`
`FIG 4A
`'
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`438
`
`ALREADY HAVE
`Afmum
`
`ASK USER FOR ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR TARGET SITE,
`RGIIIETHEMTHEOPTI NT
`ENEWA
`NT
`0
`(FIE;
`IIQCFIEAI
`mu
`
`'
`
`NEED
`ACCOUNT
`
`. DID
`THEACCOUNTINFO
`USERPROVIDED
`FAIL?
`
`YES
`
`ERRORPAGE
`(FIG. 16)
`
`442
`
`474
`
`446
`
`
`
`ASKUSERFORANY INFORMATION
`NEEDEDI$AFRR(féUE|¢EF°”"I°“
`(FIG. 13)
`
`BOOKINGDISCLAIMER
`(FIG. 17)
`
`473
`
`UPDATE TARGET ACCOUNTIF USER
`HASCHANGEDPROHLEDATA
`
`432
`
`450
`
`ACCOUNT CREATION DISCLAIMER
`
`(FIG. 14)
`
`454
`
`CREATEACCOUNTON
`MRUNESITE
`
`SENDTO TARGET’S
`RESERVATION FORM
`
`BOOKING DISCLAIMER
`(FIG.
`I7)
`
`
`
`458
`
`N0
`
` DID AN ERROR
`
`OCCUR?
`
`470
`
`466
`
`YES
`
`
`
`ERROR PAGE
`
`(FIG. 15)
`
`462
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`IntéT‘OTTRlP
`by TheTr_ip.com F
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A THANK YOU TO OUR TNTELLITRIP USERS:
`FINALLY THERE'S A TOOL FOR YOU, THE CONSUMER, THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SIMULTANEOUSLY SEARCH
`SEVERALTRAVEL SITES TO FIND THE LOWEST AIRFARES IN AS LITTLE AS 90 SECONDS.
`INTELLITRIP
`PIONEERED REVOLUTIONARY AGENT TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAVEL ON THE INTERNET, AND CONTINUES TO
`CHANGE THE WAY CONSUMERS THINK ABOUT TRAVEL.
`
`
`
`[NEWTO INTELLITRIP
`
`ANNOUNCEMENTS OE NEWLY ADDED AIRLINES HERE.
`
`—l
`
`NEW USERS CLICK HERE!
`PLEASE LOG IN
`
`
`
`
`
`IE YOU ARE NOTYET A MEMBER DE INTELLITRIP, PLEASE
`PLEASE LOG IN BELOW TO USE INTELLITRIP.
`EIIIER YOUR CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS AND DESIRED PASSWORD BELOW.
`
`_I
`YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:E
`
`PASSWORD: _IFORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?
`
`D REMEMBER MY LOGIN
`LLIEIL HERE FOR IIIE COOKIE DISELAIMER.
`
`
`
`®@II
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`Lo - In n ormatlon
`
`LOGIN:E
`PASSWORD: ::f_I
`EMAIL: I::j
`
`I wouw LIKE INTELLITRIP TO
`REMEMBERMYPASSWORDFORME OYES
`
`®N0
`
`READ THE COOKIE DISCLAIMER
`
`SPECIAL worm;
`
`12345I
`
`I DRIVERS LICENSE #@
`
`Miscellaneous
`
`ITRAVELPRIMARILYFOR:
`
`OPLEASURE OBUSINESS OBOTH
`
`I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THETRIP.COM NEWSLETTER.
`I WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED OF OFFLINE PROMOTIONS.
`I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE MATERIAL FROM THETRIP.COM TRAVEL PARTNERS.
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fli - ht Preferences
`
`SEATING CLASS
`
`com E
`
`SEATING PREFERENCE wmnow @
`
`HOME AIRPORT (ENTER ONLY CITIES OR
`AIRPORT CODES FOUND ON THIS LIST)
`
`DEN
`
`E]
`
`
`
`
`
` SEARCH AIRPORTS NEAR ARRIVAL 2]
`
`
`
`SEARCH AIRPORTS NEAR DEPARTURE
`CITY?
`
`WHEN SEARCHING, som RESULTS BY:
`
`CITY?
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`PLANNING A FLIGHT:
`
`ROUND TRIP
`
`ONE WAY
`
`NEW TO INTELLITRIP
`
`ANNOUNCEMENTS OE NEWLY ADDED AIRLINES HERE.
`
`PLEASE GIIIIOSE THE TIIAIIEI. SEIIIIIGES TO SEARCH
`
`www.aIrcanada.com
`IE www.aIaskaair.com
`LZI www.f|yfrontier.com
`;
`www.twa.com
`I www.fly.virgIn.com
`
`E All Airlines
`
`DEPAIITIIIG SITV
`
`DEPARTURE IIATE & TIME
`
`DEN
`
`INLEI
`
`8 EZII
`
`[Z7 SEARCH ADDITIONAL NEARBY DEPARTING AIRPORTS
`
`AIIIIIIIIIIII IIITII
`
`IIETIIIIII DATE & TIME
`
`ULEZI
`
`If/TI
`
`SEARCH ADDITIONAL NEARBY ARRIVING AIRPORTS
`
`ENTER ONLY CITIES OR AIRPORT CODES FOUND ON THIS LIST.
`
`NUMBER OF PASSEIIIIEIIS
`
`MAIIIMIIM IIIAIT TIME
`
`IHAVEAIEW MINUTES (2.5 MINS)
`
`[E
`
`SEATING GLASS
`
`SEAIIGH BV
`
`COACH E
`
`CLOSESTTIMETO QUERY
`
`E]
`
`SIIIIIIIII IIIII‘II
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`___.____m mmsnnnv
`DELTA AIR LINES
`TRIPFACTS ABOUT DELTA AIRLINES
`
`COST: $404.00 PER PASSENGER (NON-STOP) BOOK THIS FARE WITH DELTA AIRLINES
`
`Z Z >< -ICD
`
`rn U0
`
`lffi -:7 H1 2 :> ,_If!
`
`FLIGHT #
`DELTA 1197
`
`DELTA 1549
`
`[
`
`UNITED
`
`DEPARTING
`ARRIVING
`
`DEPARTING
`ARRIVING
`
`CITY
`DENVER, CO
`LOS ANGELES CA
`
`DENVER, CO
`LOS ANGELES, CA
`
`DATE
`19 AUG 98
`19 AUG 98
`
`26 AUG 98
`26 AUG 98
`
`TIME
`6:10AM
`8:37 AM
`
`10:10AM
`12:36 PM
`
`nmznnnv
`TRIPFACTS ABOUT UNITED AIRLINES
`
`COST: $398.00 PER PASSENGER NON-STOP BOOK THIS FARE WITH UNITED AIRLINES
`
`Z z X ——4 3
`
`F11 I C». --u P71 2 § ,__|/5
`
`FLIGHT #
`
`UNITED 612
`
`UNITED 956
`
`DEPARTING
`ARRIVING
`
`DEPARTING
`ARRIVING
`
`CITY
`
`DENVER, CO
`LOS ANGELES CA
`
`DENVER, CO
`LOS ANGELES, CA
`
`ITIIIERARV
`
`DATE
`
`19AUG 98
`19 AUG 98
`
`26 AUG 98
`26 AUG 98
`
`TIME
`
`6:45 AM
`9:06 AM
`
`9:30 AM
`12:02 PM
`
`T W A
`
`TRIPFACTSABOUTTWA
`
`COST: $401.00 PER PASSENGER_(NON»STOP) BOOK THIS FARE WITH T W A
`FLIGHT #
`CITY
`DATE
`
`TWA 708
`
`TWA 1282
`
`DEPARTING
`ARRIVING
`
`DEPARTING
`ARRIVING
`
`DENVER, CO
`LOS ANGELES CA
`
`DENVER, CO
`LOS ANGELES, CA
`
`19 AUG 98
`19 AUG 98
`
`26 AUG 98
`26 AUG 98
`
`TIME
`
`7:30 AM
`9:58 AM
`
`10:01 AM
`12:28 PM
`
`I
`
`I
`
`O CLOSEST TO YOUR DESTINATION CITY
`SEARCH AGAIN: G CLOSEST TIME TO QUERY O LOWEST COST
`O CLOSEST TO YOUR DEPARTURE CITY 0 ALPHABETICAL
`
`PERFORM ANOTHER SEARCH
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`PROGRESS
`
`l_sII%,S I
`
`MAXIMUM TIME REMAINING:
`
`I255
`
`SITES CONTACTED: ZOFZ
`
`REPLIES RETURNED:
`
`I 0E2
`
`WAITING ON UNITED
`
`WAITING ON AMERICAN AIRLINES
`
`WAITING ON ALASKAAIR
`
`CONTINENTAL $434.00
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Name and Address
`
`FIRST NAME:
`
`PAT
`
`MIDDLE INITIAL (OPTIONAL):
`
`LAST NAME:
`
`SMITH
`
`ADDRI:_gg;
`
`9999 8. WASHINGTON CIRCLE
`
`my;
`
`LITTLETON
`
`POSTAL OR ZIP CODE:
`
`30122
`
`COUNTRY: USA
`
`IE}
`
`Contact Information
`
`BUSINESS PHONE:
`
`303 708-7222
`
`HOMEPIIONEZ
`
`303 708-7200
`
`CONTACT PREFERENCE:
`
`PRIMARY EMAIL
`
`E]
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 0129
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
` OPTION 1: IT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT FOR YOU
`CLICK HERE IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH THIS AIRLINE.
`
`Create Account For Me.
`
`OPTION 2: IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT
`
`* LOGIN
`
`PASSWORD
`
`PIN
`
`FREQUENT FLYER NUMBER
`I:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Use this information for m account.
`
`FIG. 12
`
`WE NEED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR THESE NEW SITES:
`
`NEIGHBOR PREFERENCE: QUIETANDNON-INTRUSIVE
`
`IEI
`
`ESTIMATED NUMBEROF BAGS:
`
`FIG. 13
`
`DISCLAIMER:
`
`WE’RE ABOUT TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT:
`
`
`
`
`(snow WHAT WE'RE some TO DO)
`
`FIG. 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`WE'RE SORRY
`
`ACCOUNT COULD NOT BE SET UP.
`
`
`
`
`(DESCRIBE PROBLEM)
`
`FIG. 15
`
`WE’RE SORRY
`
`WE WERE UNABLE TO LOG YOU IN.
`
`(DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM)
`
`FIG. 16
`
`DISCLAIMER
`
`YOU ARE ABOUT TO GO TO ANOTHER SITE...
`
`
`
`(SHOW SELECTED ITINERARY)
`
`FIG. 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 13 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`CONTACT AGENT AND REQUEST
`RESERVATION INFORMATION
`
`1802
`
`AGENT ENTERS REQUEST
`INTO USER MACHINE
`
`RELAY REQUEST TO
`THE SERVER MACHINE
`
`1805
`
`/‘ I314
`
`SERVER MACHINE OBTAINS AGGREGATE
`RESERVATION INFORMATION
`
`
`
`CONVENTIONAL CRS
`QUERY
`
`I810
`
`CR3
`
`NORMAL CR8
`BOOKING
`
` PROCEDURE
`
`I830
`
`1818
`
`SERVER
`
`1834
` CONSENT
`TO SERVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`FEE?
`
`I838
`
`PRESENT RESULTS TO AGENT
`
`1826
`
`
`
`BOOK
`WITH CRS OR SERVER
`MACHINE?
`
`
`
`
`
`1,4,
`
`;;;_I;As§gg§§gI,CEER
`
`OBTAIN PROFILE
`
`INFORMATION FOR
`
`BOOKING
`
`FLIGHT ON TARGET MACHINE
`
`REFORMAT PROFILE TO
`
`I845
`
`CREATE ACCOUNT AND BOOK
`
`TARGET MACHINE
`
`FULFILLS TICKET AND
`PROVIDES SUPPORT
`
`1850
`
`FIG. 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 14 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`zo_E_§z_:_.Es:52
`
`88
`
`NE
`
`32:3:38:E:32;zo_E_§z_=58:
`
`oNm_wear
`
`
`
`Hmwg_/_1._+m.«%.__0zozéize:_§
`
`
`
`:zsEz_§_s_:§2z_§E§
`
`E.O_n_
`
`
`
`
`
`m_z_Io<_2zo:§:zSE23
`
`
`
`Eomiozoomm1v5%
`
`o<mm:H
`
`
`
`
`
`m_z__._o<_>__s_E_:zs:_§
`
`3229E28:
`
`
`
`mmo_s_E_§z_222
`
`
`
`
`
`:3;_s:§§z_:::_o:52
`
`Emmi5:
`
`$3
`
`
`
` Ems::,So5<EE
`zo_:§§z_E28:
`zo_:§§z_5.56E2:
`
`ozoomm
`
`9mm_.:
`
`mm?
`
`Q<mEI._.
`
`
`
`
`
`§§Ez_§_sE§§z_SE28
`
`T1’!
`
`zo_2§2z_SE28
`
`Illvllv
`
`zo_:§§z_§m§:.E
`
`A.||||Il|I.
`
`zo_:§2z_eE§._
`
`
`
`mz_:o<_>_fiimm
`
`aésa.=52%
`
`
`
`Q2323:=_oB<
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 15 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`2000 (SEE FIG. 21)
`
`ENTER USER NAME
`
`AND PASSWORD
`
`2002 (SEE FIG. 22)
`
`NO
`
`INPUT DETAILED ACCOUNT
`
`INFORMATION TO SERVER MACHINE
`
`2006
`
`CHARGE ANY MEMBERSHIP FEE
`
`2008
`
`DOWNLOAD CONTROL MODULE AND
`INSTALL
`
`2012 (SEE FIG. 26)
`
`SET UP ACCOUNTS AT TARGET
`MACHINES
`
`YES
`
`USER INPUTS TRAVEL PARAMETERS
`
`2016 (SEE FIG. 23)
`
`FIG. 20A
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`2024
`
`CONTROL MODULE ACTIVATES
`
`ON THE USER MACHINE
`
`CONTROL MODULE DOWNLOADS
`
`THE USER MACHINE
`
`2028
`
`LATEST CONTROL INFORMATION
`
`FROM THE SERVER MACHINE TO
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 16 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`FIG. 20B
`
`0
`
`2032
`
`CONTROL MODULE EXECUTES CONTROL
`INFORMATION FOR EACH TARGET MACHINE AS
`SEPARATETHREADS
`
`2036
`
`QUERYFUGHTS
`FROM FIRST
`ITARGETMACHWE
`2040
`
`PREPROCESS
`OUTPUTINFORMA-
`TION AND PASS TO
`SERVER MACHINE
`
`SERVER MACHINE
`
`QUERYFUGHTS
`FROM nth
`TARGETMACHWE
`
`PREPROCESS
`OUTPUT|NFORMA-
`TION AND PASS TO
`
`2044
`
`2048
`
`...
`
`QUERYFUGHTS
`FROM SECOND
`TARGETMACHWE
`
`PREPROCESS
`OUTPUTlNFORMA-
`TION AND PASS TO
`SERVER MACHINE
`
`2060
`
`SERVER MACHINE PROCESSES OUTPUT INFORMATION
`FROM TARGET MACHINES
`
`2064 (SEE FIG. 24)
`
`DISPLAY OUTPUT INFORMATIONS PAGE GENERATED AT
`SERVER MACHINE
`
`2068
`
`USER SELECTS PREFERRED FLIGHT FROM TARGET SITE
`
`2072
`
`USER FORWARDED TO TARGET MACHINE TO BOOK FL|GHT:I
`
`
`
`2076 (SEE FIG. 25)
`
`TARGET MACHINE DISPLAYS BOOKING FORM PREPOPULATED
`
`
`
`
`WITH ACCOUNT INFORMATION FROM SERVER DATABASE
`
`USER CONTINUES BOOKING PROCESS ON TARGET MACHINE
`
`

`
`Uoso P t3 em
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 17 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`e s’.
`
`Inte’%iRIP
`by TheTrig.com
`
`A Thank You to our Inte|liTrip Users:
`We have just completed our “proof of concept" testing for |ntelliTrip — and it was a major
`success. finally there's a tool for you, the consumer, that allows you to simultaneously
`search travel sites to find the lowest airfares in as little as 90 seconds.
`
`Three travel Web sites included in our initial launch have asked to be removed from the
`service. What does that say about them? They don't wantyou to compare their airfares
`against other travel Web sites.
`lTN and lheTrip.com, however, will continue to
`participate.
`
`Watch for major enhancements to lntellifrip in the next few weeks that provide you more
`choices when it's time to book your travel.
`lntelliTrip pioneered revolutionary agent
`technology for travel on the lnternet, and will continue to change the way consumers
`think about travel.
`
`New users: if you complete our user profile, you will automatically receive e-mail
`notification of our enhancements.
`
`Please Log In
`_
`
`lfyou are not yet a member of lntellifrip, please
`Please log in below to use lntellifrip.
`login name and desired password, and your correct email address below.
`
`LoginName
`Password:
`Your Email Address:
`
`2100
`
`:::::”21O4
` rgot your password?
`2108
`
`2112
`
`FIG. 21
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 18 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`Int§TTTTRIP
`b TheTri.com
`Membership |
`ad o retrieve fares o about o help o feedback
`
`WELCOME, JOHN!
`
`AS A MEMBER OF INTELLITRIP, YOU’LL ONLY HAVE TO REMEMBER ONE LOGIN NAME AND PASSWORD
`FOR ALL YOUR ONLINE TRAVEL NEEDS. WHEN YOU’RE READY, CLICK ON THE “CREATE MY INTELLITRIP
`ACCOUNT" BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. (NOTE: BE SURE NOT TO DELETE OR LEAVE
`BLANK ANY REQUIRED FIELDS IN BOLD, BLACK TYPE.)
`
`FIRST NAME: I 2200
`MIDDLE INITIAL (OPTIONAL); [:1
`45
`
`STATE OR PROVINCEEI
`POSTAL OR ZIP CODE:
`COUNTRY: [II
`
`I
`
`:]
`
`contact Inlnrmallon
`COMPANY NAME (OPTIONAL): C::f_::I
`BusINEss mane; :::::3 <5
`BUSINESS FAX (OPTIONAL): I
`PRIMARY EMAIL: :‘_I
`HOME PHONE: I:i“"___::I
`SECONDARY EMAIL (OPTIONAL): ]
`CONTACT PREFERENCE: PRIMARY E—MAIL
`E3
`
`2204
`
`FIG. 22A
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 19 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`IIIIIIIIII V
`
`Miscellaneous
`
`I TRAVEL PRIMARILY FOR:
`
`O BUSINESS
`
`0 PLEASURE O BOTH
`
`OCCASIONALLY, THETR|P.COM OR
`ITS PARTNERS WILL OFFER SPECIAL
`PROMOTIONS BY E-MAIL.
`
`<- 2212
`%’
`
`I'D LIKE TO RECEIVE THIS E-MAIL
`
`© YES 0 NO
`
`PASSWORD PROTECTION:
`PLEASE ENTER THE LAST 5 DIGITS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PASSPORT.
`THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO RETRIEVE YOUR PASSWORD IN THE EVENT YOU FORGET IT.
`
`I:
`
`Established Accounts?
`
`IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU’VE ALREADY SIGNED UP WITH ANY OF THE TRAVEL SITES SHOWN
`BELOW, ENTER YOUR USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS SO THAT WE DON’T CREATE DUPLICATE ACCOUNTS
`FOR YOU.
`(IF YOU’RE NOT SURE OF YOUR USERNAMES/PASSWORDS, CLICK ON THE NAME OF THE SITE TO
`REQUEST THAT INFOMRATION.)
`
`2208
`
`SITE
`
`USERNAME
`
`PASSWORD j
`
`INTERNET TRAVEL NETWORK (ITN)
`
`I C:
`
`CREATE MY INTELLITRIP ACCOUNT
`
`|
`
`START 0vER
`
`o—————————————————————————————————+
`
`FIG. 22B
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 20 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`.5-a-O
`zgso
`
`_
`Int§TTTTRIP
`Retrieve Fares
`by TheTri,cLc_om
`_
`membership odownload 9 _o about o help o feedback
`
`2300
`
`PLANNING A FLIGHT:
`
`ROUND TRIP
`
`ON
`
`AY
`
`PLEASE CHOOSE THE THIIUEL SEHUIBES T0 SEARCH
`
`THETRIPIOM
`INTERNETTRAVELNETWORK
`
`DENVER
`
`on [3] 29 AT
`
`T 3
`
`pm
`
`F
`
`DRHWIIIG MTV
`
`RETIIHH DATE 8: TIME
`
`COLORADOSPRINGS
`
`T AT 10 am
`
`ENTER ONLY CITIES OR AIRPORT CODES FOUND ON THIS LIST.
`
`
`
`I HAVE A FEW MINUTES (2.5 ms)
`
`E
`
`
`
`FIG. 23
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 21 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`Int§TTTTR|P
`Retrieve Fares
`_
`byTheTrig.com
`membership 6 download -9 about 6 help 6 feedback
`
`FIG‘ 24
`
`RESULTS FROM YOUR INTELLITRIP AGENT
`
`YOUR INTELLITRIP AGENT HAS RETURNED THE LOWEST FARES IT COULD IDENTIFY ON EACH TRAVEL SITE,
`BASED ON THE TRIP INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED. YOU MAY BOOK YOUR TICKET (OR FIND OUT MORE
`ABOUT THE FARE) BY CLICKING ON ONE OF THE BUTTONS ENTITLED “BOOK THIS FARE WITH
`“
`
`BUTTONS WILL SEND
`IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: SELECTING ONE OF THE “BOOKTHIS FARE
`YOU TO THE INTERNET TRAVEL SITE THAT OFFERED THAT FARE. YOUR RESERVATION WILL THEN BE
`
`PROCESSED BY THAT TRAVEL SITE, NOT INTELLITRIP. ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION ABOUT YOUR
`RESERVATION, ANY REFUNDS, EXCHANGES OR CREDITS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT
`DEPARTMENT AT THE INTERNET SITE WHICH OFFERED THE TICKET.
`INTELLITRIP MAKES NO
`
`REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER WITH REGARD TO YOUR RESERVATION, ITS FULFILLMENT,
`OR ANY REFUNDS, EXCHANGES OR CREDITS.
`
`
`
`Book this Fare with TheTri.Com
`www.thetrip.com
`Total Cost: $244.00 for 1 passenger(s) (nonstop)
`
`TheTrip.com is the leading online travel service focused on business travelers.
`
`Flight #
`United Airlines
`
`5571
`
`United Airlines
`
`1146
`
`Departing
`Arriving
`
`Departing
`Arriving
`
`City
`
`DEN
`COS
`
`COS
`DEN
`
`Date
`
`Time
`
`Oct 29
`Oct 29
`
`Nov 03
`Nov 03
`
`2:40 pm
`3:17 pm
`
`10:05 am
`10:45 am
`
`
`ITINERARY
`
`www.itn.com
`Book this Fare with ITN.Com
`Total Cost: $244.00 for 1 passengerlsl (non-stop)
`
`Internet Travel Network is a full—service travel site for all travelers.
`
`Flight #
`United Airlines
`
`5571
`
`United Airlines
`
`5568
`
`City
`
`Date
`
`Time
`
`Departing
`Arriving
`
`Departing
`Arriving
`
`DEN
`COS
`
`COS
`DEN
`
`Oct 29
`Oct 29
`
`Nov 03
`Nov 03
`
`2:40 pm
`3:17 pm
`
`8:00 am
`8:38 am
`
`oe
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 22 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`Reservation/Booking Request Form
`
`IF YOU ARE GOING TO BOOK AIR IN ADDITION TO A HOTEL ROOM OR CAR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU
`MAKE YOUR AIRLINE RESERVATION FIRST, FOLLOWED BY HOTEL AND CAR BOOKINGS. ADDING OR
`CHANGING AN AIRLINE RESERVATION WILL DELETE YOUR CAR OR HOTEL BOOKING INFORMATION.
`
`DENVER DEN) TO COLORADO SPRINGS_(COS)_
`MODIFY
`
`THURSDAY, OCTE
`
`UNITED AIRLINES 5571
`EQUIP. JET
`ADD A CAR?
`
`OCT 29
`OCT 29
`
`2:40 PM
`3:17PM
`
`DEPART D_E_N
`ARRIVE @
`
`
`
`
`
`ADD A HOTEL? I_
`
`COLORADOSPRINGS COS TO DENVER
`
`UNITED AIRLINES I146
`EQUIP. 737
`ADD A CAR?
`ADD A HOTEL?
`
`NOV 03 IO:O5 AM
`NOV 03 10:45 AM
`
`DEPARTCQS
`ARR|VED_EII
`
`TOTAL AIRFARE (INCLUDING TAXES)
`
`USD
`
`
`244.00
`
`FLIGHT SEGMENTS MUST BE TICKETED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 2I.
`
`PENALTY/DEPOSIT: TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE - OR - A SERVICE CHARGE OF 75.00 USD WILL BE
`ASSESSED FOR ITINERARY CHANGES WITH OR WITHOUT TICKET REISSUE.
`
`INTERNATIONAL TICKETS WILL BE CHARGED A SID PROCESSING FEE PER TICKET, AND INCLUDE A LOW-
`FARE GUARANTEE. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
`
`PRICES ARE GUARANTEED ONLY AT TIME OF PURCHASE; RESERVED FARES
`AND UNTICKETED ITINERARIES MAY NOT REFLECT FINAL TICKET PRICES.
`HINTS ON FINDING THE LOWEST FARES
`
`PASSENGER INFORMATION (PLEASE COMPLETE FOR EACH PERSON TRAVELING):
`FIRST NAME
`LAST NAME
`MEAL RE UEST
`I
`FRED
`I” SIMPSON
`STANDARD
`
`THETRlP.COM CONTACT REQUEST
`wouu) YOU LIKE THETR|P.(IOM TO CONTACT YOU BEFORE ISSUING YOUR TICKET?
`@YEs
`ONO
`
`HOTEL RESERVATION REQUEST
`WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A HOTEL RESERVATION FOR A HOTEL NOT CURRENTLY FOUND IN OUR
`DATABASE?
`IF SO, PLEASE ENTER THE HOTEL NAME AND ANY RELATED INFORMATION (E.G., ANY
`DISCOUNTS/RATES YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR, SPECIAL REQUESTS) BELOW:
`OYES
`G) No
`
`FIG. 25
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 23 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`FIG. 26
`
`USER FILLS OUT NEW PROFILE FOR INTELLITRIP
`
`2600
`
`THE USER IS ASKED TO SUPPLY ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR ANY
`OF THE TARGET SITES THEY ALREADY HAVE ACCOUNTS WITH
`
`2604
`
`2608
`
`FOR THE
`TARGET SITES THAT THE USER
`DOES NOT HAVE AN ACCOUNT
`
`ALREADY, CREATE AN
`ACCOUNT ON THEIR
`BEHALF
`
`
`USER’S ACCOUNT INFORMATION IS CONVERTED INTO THE FORMAT REQUIRED BY
`THE TARGET SITE
`(I.E., COLORADO VS. C0, 303-555-I000 VS. 303555|000, ETC.)
`
`
` SPIDER NAVIGATES TARGET SITE TO THE PROFILE SIGNUF PAGE
`
`2624
`
`
`
`SPIDER SUBMITS USER'S PROFILE DATA AND CREATES AN ACCOUNT
`WITH THE TARGET SUPPLIER ON BEHALF OF THE USER.
`
`
`IF PROFILE CREATION IS SUCCESSFUL, INTELLITRIP ADDS THE
`TARGET SITE TO THE LIST OF SITES THIS USER MAY PERFORM A
`SEARCH AGAINST FOR FARES.
`
`2628
`
`
`
`NOTIFY THE USER OF ANY ACCOUNTS WE CREATED ON THEIR BEHALF
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 24 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`WEB BROWSER RECEIVES A CONTENT-TYPE THAT CORRESPONDS To THE
`INTELLITRIP PLUG-IN
`
`2700
`
`THE INTELLITRIP PLUG-IN IS LOADED AND INITIALIZED
`(CNETSCAPEPLUGINCPP, CPLUGINARGSCPP, CNAVIGATOR.CPP, BINGO.CPP)
`
`2704
`
`THE DATA STREAM CONTAINING THE GPSL PROGRAM(S) IS READ FROM A
`TH ETR|P.COM SERVER (CNETSCAPESTREAMCPP, B|NGOSTREAM.CPP)
`
`2708
`
`EACH GPSL PROGRAM IN THE DATA STREAM IS PARSED AND COMPILED.
`(CSITELISTCPP, EsTTE.cPP)
`
`2712
`
`2716
`
`2720
`
`
`
`THE PLUG-IN DISPLAYS A PROGRESS BAR TO INDICATE THE SEARCH
`PROCESS IS UNDERWAY
`(B|NGOVIEW.CPP)
`
`
`
`
`THE THREAD MANAGER BEGINS EXECUTION OF EACH GPSL PROGRAM IN A
`
`SEPARATE THREAD
`(CTHREADINTOLCPP, cTHREADLTsT.cPP, THREADMGRLCPP)
`
`2724
`
`\ HAVE ALL
`
`THREADS COMPLETED
`EXECUTION?
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`
`
`THE RESULTS OF EACH GPSL PROGRAM ARE COMPILED AND RETURNED T0 THETRIP.COM
`(CSITELIST.CI’I’)
`.
`
`THETR|P.COM ADDS HEADERS, FOOTERS, AND ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE RESULTS
`PAGE BEFORE DISPLAYING IT TO THE USER.
`
`2728
`
` 2732
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 25 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`/2800 (SEE FIG. 23)
`I
`USER ENTERS TRAVEL PARAMETERS (I.E. ARRIVAL/ DESTINATION CITY)
`
`I
`
`FLIGHT PARAMETERS AREVALIDATED (IE VALID CITY PAIRS, TRAVEL DATES, ETC.
`
`2804
`
`4/ 2808
`CONTROL MODULE (SPIDER) ACTIVATES
`F
`_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __F_-__-__-_________I
`TRAVEL PARAMETERS CONVERTED TO FORMAT REQUIRED BY TARGET SITE (I.E.
`DATE/TIME FORMAT, AIRPORT CODE/CITY PAIR FORMATS, ETC.)
`
`
`SPIDER BEGINS NAVIGATION BY LOGGING INTO TARGET SITE IF NECESSARY USING
`THE USER'S ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR THAT SITE.
`
`
`
`
`
`SPIDER CHOOSES FARE WFIICH BEST HTS USER'S PARAMETERS BASED ON WHAT THEY
`DEEMED MOST IMPORTANT: PRICE, SCHEDULE, NON—STOP/STOPOVERS, ETC.
`
`2824
`
`
`
`.
`
`HTML CONTAINING TIIE IARE IS PARSED FOR RELEVANT FLIGHT DATA (|.E.
`PRICE, DEPARTURE DATES, EQUIPMENT TYPE, ETC.)
`
`FLIGHT DATA ISINSERTED INTO A STANDARD RESULTS TEMPLATE
`
`I
`
`SPECIFIC BRANDING CONTENT FOR TARGET SUPPLIER IS ADDED To TIIE
`
`RESULTS (I.E. JAVA TICKER, TRIPFACTS BUTTON, ETC.)
`
`RESULTS FROM ALLTARGET SITES ARE SORTED ACCORDING TO THE USER'S
`PREFERENCES ANDDISPLAYED TO THE USER
`_
`
`j~—~—9—
`USER CHOOSES TO BOOK A DISPLAYED FARE WITH A TRAVEL SUPPLIER
`
`USER IS FORWARDED TO THE TRAVEL SUPPLIER’S WEB SITE AT THE POINT IN THE
`I
`TARGET SITE'S FLOW WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO BOOKA FARE. ALL RELEVANT
`IIIFORMATION PERTAINING TO THAT TRANSACTION IS PROVIDED TO THE TARGET SITE I
`(I.E. A BOOKING FORM WOULD BE PREPOPULATED)
`I
`J
`
`FIG. 28
`
`I
`
`2828
`
`2832
`
`I
`
`j‘.
`
`/ 2835
`
`— 2840
`
`2844
`
`2848
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 26 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`I.) DEFINES THE CLASS WHICH REPRESENTS
`A COMPILED GPSL PROGRAM.
`
`2.) THIS CLASS ALSo PROVIDES THE DATA
`STRUCTURES THAT SUPPORT THE VIRTUAL
`
`MACHINE FOR A GPSL PROGRAM (|.E.,
`STACK SPACE, DATA SEGMENT, ETC.)
`
`CSiteList.cpp
`
`I. DEFINESACLASSWHICHMANAGES
`
`I MULTIPLE GPSL PROGRAMS TORTHE
`
`PLUGIN.
`
`2.) CONTAINS THE PARSING LOGIC WHICH
`COMPILES A GPSL PROGRAM INTO AN
`
`OBIECT OF THE TYPE DEFINED IN
`CSiIe.cpp.
`
`3008
`
`
`
`ParseFuncIions.cpp
`
`CONTAINS VARIOUS STRING
`PROCESSING FUNCTIONS WHICH
`SUPPORT THE PARSING OF GPSL
`.
`.
`
`PROGRAMS I“ C5'IeLI3I-OPP
`
`
`
`DEFINES THE CLASS WHICH
`CONTAINS THE RESULTS OF
`EACH SEARCH OF ATARGET
`SITE.
`
`
`
`
`CResuIt.cpp
`
`3012
`
`3016
`
`
`
`
`DECRYPTS GPSL PROGRAMS IF THEY
`HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED PRIOR TO
`TRANSFER BETWEEN ATHETRIP.COM
`SERVER AND THE USER'S MACHINE.
`
`
`
`
`Decryptcpp
`
`GPSL COMPILER AND VIRTUAL MACHINE
`
`BUILDS AND RUNS COMPILED GPSL PROGRAMS CONSISTING OF
`
`C+ + OBJECTS DEFINED IN THE GPSL LANGUAGE CORE
`
`FIG. 30
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 27 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`
`
`2900
`
`2904
`
`CFunctionLib.cpp
`
`CONTAINS CLASSES DERIVED FROM
`
`
`
`CTUHCLIOII. ONE FOR EACH GPSL
`
`COMMAND AND EACH FUNCTION.
`
`
`
`GPSL LANGUAGE CORE
`
`C+ + OBJECTS WHICH REPRESENT THE NATIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF GPSL
`
`FIG. 29
`
`CThreadInfo1.cpp
`
`ThreadMgr1.cpp
`
`CThreadList.cpp
`
`THREAD MANAGER
`
`MANAGES SIMULTANEOUS EXECUTION OF MULTIPLE COMPILED GPSL
`
`PROGRAMS IN A MULTI-THREADED FASHION.
`
`FIG. 31
`
`
`
`CFunction.cpp
`
`DEFINES THE BASE CLASS FROM WHICH ALL
`
`THE GPSL COMMANDS AND FUNCTIONS ARE
`DERIVED.
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`m
`
`%
`
`8
`
`.0.
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`
`
`%2:£2223:::§:z9222:
`
`
`
`
`
`pm270::<2.33E:02.20:_oz_;Eis235.2:$n__._dz_
`
`mm.O_n_
`
`
`
`
`
`_%,5_%%§mzom._,To_.o.w,.>>m_>:_m:Eo80m9<c_m:_n_o__.Emm:mmamoBozo_q8_2mm_>mzowMNxN8%manmamcommcomm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 19, 2002
`
`Sheet 29 of 29
`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`3300
`
`
` Bingo.cpp
`
`DEFINES A CLASS THAT PROVIDES VARIOUS
`
`ASPECTS OF THE PLUG-IN’S FUNCTIONALITY
`
`AS WELL AS ITS PRIVATE DATA.
`
`
`
`BIngoStream.cpp
`
`BingoView.cpp
`
`DEFINES A CLASS THAT PROVIDES THE
`
`DEFINES A CLASS WHICH MANAGES THE
`
`ABILITY TO PROCESS A STREAM SENT TO THE
`
`PLUG-IN’S WINDOWS RESOURCES.
`
`PLUG-IN BY THE USER’S BROWSER.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THIS CLASS ALSO DISPLAYS THE START—UP
`
`MESSAGE AND PROGRESS BAR.
`
`
`
`THIS IS THE MEANS BY WHICH THE GPSL
`
`CODE IS LOADED REMOTELY FROM A
`
`THETRIP.COM SERVER INTO THE PLUGIN.
`
`
`ADDITIONAL PLUG-IN FUNCTIONALITY
`
`VARIOUS CLASSES AND FUNCTIONS THAT BUILD ON THE PLUG-IN
`
`FRAMEWORK PROVIDED BY NETSCAPE
`
`FIG. 33
`
`

`
`US 6,360,205 B1
`
`1
`OBTAINING AND UTILIZING
`COMMERCIAL INFORMATION
`
`This application is related to and claims priority from
`Provisional Patent Application No. 60/106,423, filed Oct.
`30, 1998.
`This application contains a microfiche appendix consist-
`ing of 3 microfiche sheets and 150 frames.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to commercial information
`processing, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for
`obtaining and utilizing commercial information from com-
`munication networks.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Systems of various configurations are known for obtain-
`ing reservation information related to airline flights, lodging,
`transportation, and the like. Examples of ways to obtain this
`information include retail travel agencies, travel agency web
`sites and airline web sites. However, the current methods for
`obtaining reservation information have many disadvantages.
`Conventional travel agencies obtain reservation informa-
`tion from computer terminals which interface to a central
`reservation system (CRS). By entering cryptic strings into a
`command line on the computer terminal, an agent can
`determine the available reservations and book a reservation
`
`for a customer. The CRS serves as a clearing house for
`reservations from many reservation providers. Examples of
`CRS services include Apollo” and SabreTM.
`Reservations providers maintain systems which commu-
`nicate with the CRS. For example, an airline has a system
`which tracks the available seats and the seats that have been
`reserved. When additional seats become available, the air-
`line system is updated first whereafter the CRS is updated so
`that travel agencies can reserve these seats for their custom-
`ers using the updated information in the CRS. Conversely,
`the CRS notifies the airlines when reservations are made by
`customers so that they are not also made available to others.
`In this way, the airlines can effectively market reservations
`for their seats.
`
`Operation of the travel agencies and CRS services are
`costly. Customers, in effect, pay the travel agencies for their
`services because the quoted price of the reservation is
`inflated by an 8—10% commission. The commission is paid
`to travel agencies from the profits of the reservation pro-
`viders. Additionally, reservation providers pay the CRS for
`providing their service. A fee is paid to the CRS for
`including a provider’s reservations in the system and for
`each leg of flight booked with that reservation provider. As
`can be appreciated the cost of the CRS to the airline is paid
`by the customer in the form or higher prices. So indirectly,
`compensation is paid to the travel agencies and the CRS by
`the customer.
`
`The CRS stores reservation information from many, but
`not all, reservation providers. For example, most airlines
`provide reservation information to the CRS, but some low
`cost and smaller airlines do not, in order to reduce costs.
`Additionally, some reservation providers who participate in
`the CRS also market some reservat

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