EP3698309A1 - Partage de critères de recherche entre des espaces de recherche multiples - Google Patents

Partage de critères de recherche entre des espaces de recherche multiples

Info

Publication number
EP3698309A1
EP3698309A1 EP18785990.5A EP18785990A EP3698309A1 EP 3698309 A1 EP3698309 A1 EP 3698309A1 EP 18785990 A EP18785990 A EP 18785990A EP 3698309 A1 EP3698309 A1 EP 3698309A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
search
website
search criteria
criteria
search website
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP18785990.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Matthieu Torrenti
Gael Fontaine
Amar KADAMALAKUNTE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Amadeus SAS
Original Assignee
Amadeus SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR1759815A external-priority patent/FR3072811B1/fr
Priority claimed from US15/788,408 external-priority patent/US20190121915A1/en
Application filed by Amadeus SAS filed Critical Amadeus SAS
Publication of EP3698309A1 publication Critical patent/EP3698309A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/10—Services
    • G06Q50/14—Travel agencies
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/02—Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0241—Advertisements
    • G06Q30/0251—Targeted advertisements
    • G06Q30/0255—Targeted advertisements based on user history
    • G06Q30/0256—User search
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0241—Advertisements
    • G06Q30/0251—Targeted advertisements
    • G06Q30/0269—Targeted advertisements based on user profile or attribute
    • G06Q30/0271—Personalized advertisement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/40—Business processes related to the transportation industry

Definitions

  • the invention generally relates to computers and computer software, and in particular to methods, systems, and computer program products for allowing search criteria to be shared across multiple search spaces.
  • Computer technology is increasingly used in the travel industry to manage, support, book, reserve, and process travel reservations as well as data associated therewith.
  • travel websites allow for a user, such as a traveler, to book various reservations such as airline tickets, train tickets, hotel reservations, or car rentals.
  • a traveler In order to find the lowest price available for a particular travel product or service, a traveler usually compares the price offered for a particular travel product between various travel merchants before actually booking a reservation. In order to compare prices between various travel merchants, the traveler may need to search multiple travel websites.
  • a traveler usually enters parameters pertaining to a particular travel product or service numerous times into various websites when comparing prices between various travel merchants.
  • Some of the various search parameters that are entered into a particular website in order to find an airline ticket include, for example, the departure date and a class of service, or, to find a hotel, a start date and a class of service.
  • the class of service indicates the overall quality of a service and includes, for example, the number of stars for a hotel or the cabin type such as first class or economy for an airline flight.
  • repeatedly entering travel parameters into multiple travel websites often becomes cumbersome for the traveler.
  • entering the information into each travel website is also time consuming.
  • Some advertising companies may monitor the traveler's activity on both general purpose as well as travel websites.
  • the advertising company may then display a promotional advertisement for specific travel products based on the traveler's search activity. For example, a traveler may search for hotels in New York City. Accordingly, the advertising company then generates and displays a promotional advertisement for a product that is similar to the traveler's search criteria.
  • the advertising company may display a promotional advertisement for inexpensive or budget hotels in New York City.
  • these advertisements are actually just general promotions based on just a few parameters of a user's search. In many cases, the advertisements may not accurately reflect the specific parameters of the traveler's search.
  • the traveler may not select the advertisement for budget hotels since he or she was actually searching for a luxury hotel in Manhattan. Furthermore, even if the traveler selects the advertisement, he or she will still need to enter the travel information into the promotional website in order to view refined offers.
  • device-specific, user activity tracking may prove ineffective. Specifically, the advertisements presented to different users of the single computer device may not be relevant or of interest to any of the users.
  • a system for processing search criteria across multiple search spaces includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the processors.
  • the memory stores data comprising program code that, when executed by the processors, causes the system to receive authentication information to grant a user access to a universal profile platform associated with the system.
  • the system is caused to grant access to the universal profile platform.
  • the universal profile platform provides access to a first search website and a second search website that are external to the system.
  • the system is further caused to store, in a universal profile database, profile data that includes a plurality of first search criteria submitted by the user to the first search website.
  • the first search criteria indicates at least one parameter of a first search performed by the first search website.
  • the system is further caused to receive a first request from the second search website.
  • the first request is for the first search criteria stored in the universal profile database.
  • the system is caused to retrieve the profile data from the universal profile database.
  • the system is caused to direct the first search criteria of the profile data to the second search website.
  • the second search website determines a plurality of second results in response to receiving the first search criteria.
  • the system in response to receiving a second request from a third search website, is caused to retrieve the profile data from the universal profile database.
  • the third search website is external to the system.
  • the system in response to receiving the second request from the third search website, is caused to compare a first attribute associated with the first search criteria to a second attribute associated with a second search criteria. The system is also caused to select the second search criteria for provision to the third search website based on the comparison.
  • the first attribute is a first timestamp indicative of when the first search criteria was submitted to the first search website and the second attribute is a second timestamp indicative of when the second search criteria was submitted to the second search website.
  • the second timestamp is more recent than the first timestamp.
  • the first attribute is a first frequency indicating a number of times the user has used the first search criteria and the second attribute is a second frequency indicating a number of time the user has used the second search criteria.
  • the second frequency is greater than the first frequency.
  • system is further caused to determine that a travel product that matches parameters of the first search criteria has been booked. In response to determining that the travel product is booked, the system is caused to purge the first search criteria from the universal profile database.
  • the system is caused to determine that a current date is greater than a date provided by the user.
  • the date provided by the user is an expiration date of the first search criteria.
  • the system is caused to allow the first search criteria to expire.
  • the system in response to the first request from the second search website being received, is caused to send a third request to the user to grant the second search website access to the profile data stored in the universal profile database.
  • the system is caused to receive, from a device of the user, a second authorization to grant the second search website access to the profile data.
  • the system is also caused to store the second authorization to grant the second search website access to the profile data.
  • the first search website and the second search website are each associated with merchants that sell a same type of products or services.
  • the first search website is associated with a first merchant that offers a plurality of products or services
  • the second search website is associated with a second merchant that offers only one of the plurality of products or services.
  • the method includes receiving, by a computer, authentication information to grant a user access to a universal profile platform associated with the system. In response to receiving the authentication information, the method includes granting, by the computer, access to the universal profile platform.
  • the universal profile platform provides access to a first search website and a second search website that are external to the system.
  • the method includes storing, in a universal profile database, profile data that includes a plurality of first search criteria submitted by the user to the first search website.
  • the first search criteria indicates at least one parameter of a first search performed by the first search website.
  • the method also includes receiving, by the computer, a first request from the second search website.
  • the first request is for the first search criteria stored in the universal profile database.
  • the method further includes retrieving the profile data from the universal profile database.
  • the method includes directing the first search criteria of the profile data to the second search website.
  • the second search website determines a plurality of second results in response to receiving the first search criteria.
  • a computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and program code stored on the non-transitory computer- readable storage medium that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to receive authentication information to grant a user access to a universal profile platform associated with the system.
  • the system is caused to grant access to the universal profile platform.
  • the universal profile platform provides access to a first search website and a second search website that are external to the system.
  • the system is further caused to store, in a universal profile database, profile data that includes a plurality of first search criteria submitted by the user to the first search website.
  • the first search criteria indicates at least one parameter of a first search performed by the first search website.
  • the system is further caused to receive a first request from the second search website.
  • the first request is for the first search criteria stored in the universal profile database.
  • the system is caused to retrieve the profile data from the universal profile database.
  • the system is caused to direct the first search criteria of the profile data to the second search website.
  • the second search website determines a plurality of second results in response to receiving the first search criteria.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary operating environment for accessing third party search websites using a universal profile.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary computer system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagrammatic view of the operating environment of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for sharing search criteria across multiple search websites.
  • an operating environment 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may include a traveler system 12 and an administrator 16.
  • the administrator 16 acts as a system interface, and is in communication with one or more third party search websites 18.
  • the administrator 16 is in communication with a historical database 20 and a declared database 22.
  • the traveler system 12, the administrator 16, the third party websites 18, the historical database 20, and the declared database 22 may communicate with each other through a network 26.
  • the network 26 may include one or more private or public networks (e.g., the Internet) that enable the exchange of data.
  • the traveler system 12 may comprise a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone, or any other suitable computing device.
  • the traveler may use the traveler system 12 to search for and book travel services by accessing a reservation system, or any other suitable system though the network 26.
  • the traveler system 12 may access a universal profile platform 24, which is operated by a specific reservation system.
  • the universal profile platform 24 allows for the traveler system 12 to gain access to the third party website 18 in order to search and book travel reservations. Specifically, the traveler may access the universal profile platform 24 using an authentication process such as entering a login identifier and/or password.
  • the universal profile platform 24 In response to receiving the traveler's authentication information, the universal profile platform 24 allows the traveler to access the travel reservation search engine associated with the reservation system that operates the universal profile platform 24. Additionally, the traveler may also access the third party websites 18 that are external to the reservation system through the universal profile platform 24. As such, the third party websites 18 and the universal profile platform 24 define a user interface level, as generally indicted in FIG. 1.
  • the universal profile platform 24 also allows for traveler to access profile data stored in a universal profile database.
  • the historical database 20 and the declared database 22 are part of the universal profile database.
  • the databases 20, 22 store profile data as well as traveler information required to book a specific travel arrangement.
  • the administrator 16 includes a universal profile orchestrator 28 that aggregates the historical and declared data stored in the historical database 20 and the declared database 22.
  • the universal profile orchestrator 28 also collects inferred information from a activity tracking and inference module 70 contained in the administrator 16 (shown in FIG. 3), which is explained below.
  • the universal profile database includes the databases 20, 22 as well as activity tracking and inference module 70.
  • the universal profile orchestrator 28 collects identifying characteristics such as, but not limited to, the traveler's name, contact details, and regulatory information from the declared database 22.
  • the universal profile orchestrator 28 may also collect the specific search criteria related to the traveler's search such as, but not limited to, a start date, an end date, whether the dates are flexible, class of services, and sort criteria.
  • the start date may be the departure date for an airline flight, or the starting date of a hotel stay.
  • the end date may be the arrival date for an airline flight, or the end of a hotel stay.
  • the class of services indicates the overall quality of service and includes, for example, the number of stars for a hotel or the cabin type for a flight.
  • Sort criteria indicates whether the user explicitly requested a sort of the search results based on factor such as, for example, price or duration.
  • the search criteria may include other characteristics as well such as, for example, if the traveler prefers a non-stop flight, specific dietary restrictions or preferences such as kosher or vegetarian meals, and gluten free meals.
  • the search criteria may also include a user's preference for a particular airline.
  • the universal profile data is associated with a specific travel entity or merchant.
  • the merchant may be, but is not limited to, an online travel agent, a physical travel agent, or a orchestrator website that compiles results from multiple booking engines and travel websites.
  • the aggregator may be a hotel aggregation website or an airline aggregation website.
  • the administrator 16 is in communication with the traveler system 12, the third party websites 18, and the administrator 16. As explained in greater detail below, the administrator 16 may be used to ensure that a traveler may be able to login to various third party travel websites using his or her credentials associated with data stored the universal profile database. The administrator 16 is in communication with the administrator 16, and may be used to provide security capabilities such as, for example, login functionalities, to the universal profile.
  • the third party websites 18 may also be referred to as search spaces. Each third party website 18 may be accessed through the universal profile platform 24 by the traveler system 12 in order to search for and/or book travel reservations.
  • the third party website 18 is a travel website dedicated to booking travel accommodations.
  • the travel website may be a hotel or an airline's website.
  • the third party website 18 is a general website that allows for a user to book travel reservations.
  • the general website is not dedicated to booking travel accommodations, and may also provide other services as well.
  • a search engine may also provide a user with the ability to search for and book travel reservations online.
  • the third party website 18 may represent a physical location of a travel agency (i.e., a brick and mortar building).
  • the websites 18 may all be of the same type. That is, the merchants associated with each website 18 each sell the same type of travel products or services. For example, each website 18 may sell airline tickets.
  • one of the third party websites 18 offers multiple travel products and services such as, for example, airline tickets, car rentals, hotel reservations, and restaurants.
  • one of the other third party websites 18 may only offer a single type of product or service, such as airline tickets. If this is the case, then the website 18 that only offers a single travel service or product sends a request to the administrator 16. The request is for data only pertaining to the specific product or service offered by the merchant of the website.
  • the merchant may offer multiple products and services (e.g., airline flights and hotel reservations).
  • the website 18 may send a request for data to the administrator 16 for only a single product or service.
  • the decision as to which product or service that is selected may be based on business rules.
  • the website 18 sends a request to the traveler to select a particular product or service that he or she is most interested in purchasing.
  • the website 18 may expect the reservation system that operates the universal profile platform 24 to select a particular product or service.
  • the traveler system 12, the administrator 16, and the third party websites 18 of the operating environment 10 may be implemented on one or more computer devices or systems, such as exemplary computer system 30.
  • the computer system 30 may include a processor 32, a memory 34, a mass storage memory device 36, an input/output (I/O) interface 38, and a Human Machine Interface (HMI) 40.
  • the computer system 30 may also be operatively coupled to one or more external resources 42 via the network 26 or I/O interface 38.
  • External resources may include, but are not limited to, servers, databases, mass storage devices, peripheral devices, cloud-based network services, or any other suitable computer resource that may be used by the computer system 30.
  • the processor 32 may include one or more devices selected from microprocessors, micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microcomputers, central processing units, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, state machines, logic circuits, analog circuits, digital circuits, or any other devices that manipulate signals (analog or digital) based on operational instructions that are stored in the memory 34.
  • Memory 34 may include a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing information.
  • the mass storage memory device 36 may include data storage devices such as a hard drive, optical drive, tape drive, volatile or non-volatile solid state device, or any other device capable of storing information.
  • the processor 32 may operate under the control of an operating system 46 that resides in memory 34.
  • the operating system 46 may manage computer resources so that computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications, such as an application 48 residing in memory 34, may have instructions executed by the processor 32.
  • the processor 32 may execute the application 48 directly, in which case the operating system 46 may be omitted.
  • One or more data structures 50 may also reside in memory 34, and may be used by the processor 32, operating system 46, or application 48 to store or manipulate data.
  • the I/O interface 38 may provide a machine interface that operatively couples the processor 32 to other devices and systems, such as the network 26 or external resource 42.
  • the application 48 may thereby work cooperatively with the network 26 or external resource 42 by communicating via the I/O interface 38 to provide the various features, functions, applications, processes, or modules comprising embodiments of the invention.
  • the application 48 may also have program code that is executed by one or more external resources 42, or otherwise rely on functions or signals provided by other system or network components external to the computer system 30. Indeed, given the nearly endless hardware and software configurations possible, persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand that embodiments of the invention may include applications that are located externally to the computer system 30, distributed among multiple computers or other external resources 42, or provided by computing resources
  • the HMI 40 may be operatively coupled to the processor 32 of computer system 30 in a known manner to allow a user to interact directly with the computer system 30.
  • the HMI 40 may include video or alphanumeric displays, a touch screen, a speaker, and any other suitable audio and visual indicators capable of providing data to the user.
  • the HMI 40 may also include input devices and controls such as an alphanumeric keyboard, a pointing device, keypads, pushbuttons, control knobs, microphones, etc., capable of accepting commands or input from the user and transmitting the entered input to the processor 32.
  • a database 44 may reside on the mass storage memory device 36, and may be used to collect and organize data used by the various systems and modules described herein.
  • the database 44 may include data and supporting data structures that store and organize the data.
  • the database 44 may be arranged with any database organization or structure including, but not limited to, a relational database, a hierarchical database, a network database, or combinations thereof.
  • a database management system in the form of a computer software application executing as instructions on the processor 32 may be used to access the information or data stored in records of the database 44 in response to a query, where a query may be dynamically determined and executed by the operating system 46, other applications 48, or one or more modules.
  • the administrator 16 may include an authorization module 60, a data exchange module 62, and a universal profile management module 64.
  • the administrator 16 also includes the activity tracking and inference module 70, a security module 72, and an account management module 74.
  • the authorization module 60, the data exchange module 62, and the account management module 74 are each in communication with the universal profile orchestrator 28.
  • the universal profile orchestrator 28 is in communication with the activity tracking and inference module 70, the security module 72, and the account management module 74.
  • the activity tracking and inference module 70 is in communication with the historical database 20
  • the security module 72 is in communication with the account management module 74
  • the account management module 74 is in communication with the declared database 22.
  • FIG. 3 also illustrates a respective database 78 associated with each website 18. Each database 78 stores a dataset associated with a corresponding website 18.
  • the modules 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74 are shown as distinct components, which may indicate the use of modular programming techniques. However, the software design may decrease the extent to which the modules 60, 62 and the sub-modules 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74 are distinct by combining at least some program functions of multiple modules into a single module. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the functions attributed to the modules 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74 may be distributed in other ways, or on other systems than those depicted. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific arrangement of systems or modules shown in FIG. 3.
  • the authorization module 60 of the administrator 16 allows for a traveler to sign in to the third party websites 18 based on data stored in the universal profile database.
  • the data exchange module 62 of the administrator 16 creates an application program interface (API) that allows for a merchant to send data related to the traveler to the universal profile database.
  • API application program interface
  • the API also allows for the universal profile database to send data to the merchant.
  • the universal profile management module 64 of the administrator 16 allows for the traveler to access and modify his or her own unique universal profile stored in the universal profile database. It is to be appreciated that the traveler may also maintain the universal profile through an application provided by the merchant.
  • the activity tracking and inference module 70 of the administrator 16 analyzes the information saved in the historical database 20, and creates inferred data based on the analysis.
  • Historical information may indicate various patterns in a traveler's search habits. Some examples of historical information include, but are not limited to, search occurrence, date of the search, and the latest search. Search occurrences denote the number of times the traveler has performed a particular search, or an equivalent search. The date of the search denotes the date of the search, or an equivalent search, has been performed for the first time. The latest search denotes the date where the search, or an equivalent search, has been performed most recently.
  • Equivalent searches may occur when the traveler conducts searches that different from a strictly literal of view, but the products or services request may still be substantially the same.
  • a traveler may search for flights between identical cities, but from different airports. Specifically, the traveler may search for flights between JFK Airport (in New York City) and O'Hare Airport (in Chicago).
  • An equivalent search would be considered a search for flights between LaGuardia Airport (also in New York City) and Midway Airport (also in Chicago).
  • the activity tracking and inference module 70 of the administrator 16 may analyze the historical data from the database 20 in order to determine inferred data. For example, a preferred cabin or class of service may be deduced by the activity tracking and inference module 70 based on the traveler's search history. In another embodiment, the activity tracking and inference module 70 may deduce a traveler's most important travel preference based on a traveler's sort history. Some examples of travel preferences include ticket price, class, or trip duration.
  • the security module 72 of the administrator 16 provides security capabilities such as, for example, login functionalities and access to the universal profile database.
  • the account management module 74 of the administrator 16 manages the information stored in the declared database 22.
  • the declared information stored in the declared database includes characteristics that the traveler has specified about himself or herself, and may include data such as, but not limited to, a traveler's name, contact details, and regulatory information.
  • a traveler may initiate a travel search using multiple search spaces or websites in order to locate travel reservations.
  • the traveler may access the universal profile platform 24 using an authentication process such as, for example, by entering a login identifier and/or password.
  • the universal profile platform 24 grants the traveler permission to access a first search website.
  • the first search website may be the universal profile platform 24.
  • the first search website may be one of the third party websites 18.
  • a tracking cookie is created in response to the traveler's credentials being approved.
  • the tracking cookie allows for the traveler to gain access to the first search website.
  • the traveler first accesses the first search website, which is connected to the universal profile platform 24.
  • the traveler provides authentication data through the first search website.
  • the authorization module 60 verifies the data.
  • a tracking cookie is created, which allows for the traveler to access the universal profile platform 24 as well as other associated travel websites that have subscribed to the universal profile platform 24.
  • the universal profile platform 24 may include a search space. The traveler may be granted access to the universal profile platform 24, and then gains access to any of the travel websites that have subscribed to the universal profile platform 24.
  • the traveler may initiate a search for a travel product by submitting a plurality of first search criteria to the first search website. Specifically, the traveler may use the keyboard 96 or any other input device of the traveler system 12 in order to submit the first search criteria.
  • the first search criteria indicates at least one parameter for a search performed by the first search website. For example, a traveler may submit search criteria indicating a first class airline ticket to New York City during the first week of May to be searched by the first search website.
  • the first search criteria may be set to expire or be purged based on specific conditions.
  • the first search criteria is purged from the universal profile database.
  • the traveler provides a date that indicates an expiration date of the first search criteria. The first search criteria is allowed to expire in response to the current date being greater or more recent than the date provided by the traveler.
  • the first search criteria may be purged manually by the traveler as well.
  • the first search website In response to receiving the first search criteria, the first search website initiates a search of a first dataset that satisfies the first search criteria. For example, the website 18A may initiate a search of the associated dataset stored in the database 78A. The first search website locates a plurality of search results that match the first search criteria, and then transmits the first search results over the network 26 to the travel system 12. The first search results are shown upon a display 98 of the travel system 12 for consideration by the traveler.
  • Profile data including the first search criteria may then be stored within the historical database 20 and the declared database 22.
  • the search occurrence is one
  • the date of the search is April 10th
  • the latest search was performed on April 10th as well.
  • the data indicating the travel destination, which is New York City, the start date, which is the first week of May, and the class of service, which is first class, are all stored within the declared database 22.
  • the profile data stored within the declared database 22 includes sort criteria, which indicates whether traveler user explicitly requested a sort of the search results based on price or duration. Specifically, the sort criteria is submitted by the traveler to the first search website, and is used to specific the first search results that are shown upon the display of the travel system 12.
  • the traveler may then decide to search another travel website for a lower price or for other available travel options. Accordingly, the traveler may then access a second search website through the universal profile platform 24.
  • the second search website identifies and grants the traveler permission to access and search the site based on receiving authentication information.
  • the authentication information is a login identifier and/or password entered by the traveler to gain access to the second search website.
  • the second search website may grant the traveler permission to access and search the website based on a tracking cookie. Tracking cookies are a specific type of cookie that may be distributed, shared, and read across two or more unrelated websites to provide customized data.
  • the second search website then sends a request to the administrator 16 to retrieve the first search criteria stored in the universal profile database.
  • the authorization module 60 of the administrator 16 sends a request to the traveler system 12.
  • the request asks the traveler to grant the second search website access to the universal profile database.
  • the profile data containing the first search criteria is stored in the universal profile database.
  • the traveler may grant access to the universal profile database using the keyboard 96 or any other input device of the traveler system 12.
  • the security module 72 of the administrator 16 grants the second search website access to the profile data stored in the universal profile database.
  • the authorization is also stored in the declared database 22.
  • the second search website is populated with the traveler's information and the first search criteria from the universal profile database. Therefore, the traveler does not need to fill in this information manually.
  • the second search website initiates a second search of a second dataset associated with the second search website based on the first search criteria.
  • the second search website determines a plurality of second search results.
  • the website 18B may represent the second search website, where the website 18B initiates a second search of the dataset stored in the database 78B.
  • the profile data includes the sort criteria submitted by the traveler to the first search website. If the profile data includes the sort criteria, the sort criteria is also submitted to the second search website. The second search website may then display second search results that are in accordance with the sort criteria upon the display 98 of the traveler system 12. In an embodiment, the user may decide to modify one or more parameters of the first search criteria when searching the second search website.
  • the modified set of first search criteria is referred to as a second search criteria, since the parameters of the first search criteria have changed.
  • the second search criteria may then be stored as part of the profile data within the universal profile database.
  • the traveler may then decide to search yet another travel website. Therefore, the traveler may access a third travel website through the universal profile platform 24. Similar to the second search website, the third search website may also grant the traveler permission to access and search the site based on receiving authentication information such as a login identifier and/or password entered by the traveler, or a tracking cookie.
  • the universal profile orchestrator 28 of the administrator 16 retrieves and sends the profile data to the third website.
  • the profile data is directed to the third search website.
  • the third search website determines a plurality of third search results by initiating a third search of a third dataset associated with the third website based on the second search criteria.
  • the website 18C may represent the third website, where the website 18C initiates a search of the dataset stored in the database 78C.
  • the third website in response to receiving the profile data, may compare attributes that are submitted by the traveler between the various websites.
  • the attribute may comprise a timestamp indicative of when a specific search criteria was submitted to a particular website 18.
  • the attribute may include a frequency associated with a specific search criteria. The frequency represents how many times the traveler has used a specific search criteria.
  • the data exchange module 62 of the administrator 16 may compare a first attribute associated with the first search criteria to a second search criteria associated with the second search criteria. Based on the comparison, either the first search criteria or the second search criteria is selected for provision to the third search website. For example, if the attribute is a timestamp, then the first timestamp indicates when the first search criteria was submitted to the first search website and the second timestamp indicates when the second search criteria is submitted to the second search website. The data exchange module 62 of the administrator 16 determines that the second timestamp is more recent than the first timestamp, and therefore selects the second search criteria.
  • the first attribute is a first frequency associated with how many times the traveler has used the first search criteria and a second attribute is a second frequency associated with how many times the traveler has used the second search criteria.
  • the data exchange module 62 of the administrator 16 determines that the first frequency is greater than the second frequency.
  • the first search criteria is selected for provision to the third website.
  • the described system provides a unique improvement in computer-related technology by allowing computer performance of a function that was not previously performed by a computer.
  • the described system allows for a user to search multiple websites by relying upon profile data stored in the universal profile database.
  • the described system shares the profile data stored in the universal profile database that was previously entered by the traveler with a third party website accessed by a traveler.
  • the conventional approach to search for data required a traveler to enter search parameters pertaining to a particular travel product or service over and over again when visiting different websites.
  • the specific rules followed by the described system have not previously been used by travelers or reservation agents to search multiple websites. Some examples of these rules include, but are not limited to, storing profile data in the universal profile database, and retrieving the profile data from the universal profile database in response to receiving the request from the second search website.
  • the described system follows a non-conventional and non-generic approach to search multiple websites.
  • the combination of storing profile data in the universal profile database and then retrieving the profile data from the universal profile database in response to receiving the request from the second search website is a non-conventional approach to prepopulate the second search website when the traveler is searching multiple websites.
  • the data stored in the universal profile database uniquely represents a traveler or user, and is independent from any type of travel merchant such as a hotel, airline, or car rental service.
  • process 100 may begin at block 102, where the traveler initiates a search by accessing the universal profile platform 24. Specifically, the traveler accesses the universal profile platform 24 by using a login identifier and/or password. In response to receiving the authentication information, the universal profile platform 24 grants the traveler access to the first search website. Process 100 may then proceed to block 104.
  • the account management module 74 of the administrator 16 sends data stored in the database to the first search website.
  • the first search website may then be populated with the traveler's information, such as the traveler's name, contact details, and regulatory information.
  • Process 100 may then proceed to block 106.
  • the traveler initiates the first search for a travel product by submitting the plurality of first search criteria to the first search website using the keyboard 96 or other input device of the traveler system 12.
  • the first search website initiates a search of the first dataset that satisfies the first search criteria. Process 100 may then proceed to block 108.
  • the first search website locates the plurality of first search results that match the first search criteria, and transmits the results over the network and to the travel system 12. The results are shown upon the display of the traveler system 12. Process 100 may then proceed to block 1 10.
  • profile data including the first search criteria is stored within the universal profile database. Process 100 may then proceed to block 1 12.
  • the traveler accesses the second search website using the universal profile platform 24.
  • the second search website identifies the user and grants the traveler permission to access and search based on receiving authentication information such as, for example, a login identifier and/or password, or by tracking cookies.
  • Process 100 may then proceed to block 1 14.
  • the second search website sends a request to retrieve the administrator 16 the first search criteria stored in the universal profile database. Process 100 may then proceed to block 1 16.
  • the traveler system 12 in response to receiving the request from the second search website, the traveler system 12 send a query to the traveler asking if the second search website may have access to the profile data containing the first search criteria. If the user grants access, then process may proceed to block 120. However, if no access is granted, then process 100 may terminate.
  • the first search criteria contained in the universal profile database is directed to the second search website.
  • the second search website determines a plurality of second results. Process 100 may then proceed to block 120.
  • the traveler may access the third website using the universal profile platform 24. Similar to the second search website, the third search website may grant the traveler access based on a login and/or password or by tracking cookies. Process 100 may then proceed to block 122.
  • the third website may compare attributes that are submitted by the traveler between the various websites.
  • the data exchange module 62 of the administrator 16 may compare the first attribute associated with the first search criteria to the second search criteria associated with the second search criteria.
  • the attribute may be a timestamp or a frequency associated with how many times the traveler has used the either the first search criteria or the second search criteria.
  • Process 100 may then proceed to block 124.
  • process 100 may proceed to block 126.
  • the first search criteria is selected for provision to the third search website.
  • Process 100 may then terminate.
  • the second attribute is greater than the first attribute, then process 100 may proceed to block 128.
  • the second search criteria is selected for provision to the third search website. Process 100 may then terminate.
  • routines executed to implement the embodiments of the invention may be referred to herein as "computer program code,” or simply "program code.”
  • Program code typically comprises computer-readable instructions that are resident at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer and that, when read and executed by one or more processors in a computer, cause that computer to perform the operations necessary to execute operations and/or elements embodying the various aspects of the embodiments of the invention.
  • Computer- readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the embodiments of the invention may be, for example, assembly language or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.
  • the program code embodied in any of the applications/modules described herein is capable of being individually or collectively distributed as a program product in a variety of different forms.
  • the program code may be distributed using a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the embodiments of the invention.
  • Computer-readable storage media which is inherently non-transitory, may include volatile and non-volatile, and removable and non-removable tangible media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.
  • Computer-readable storage media may further include RAM, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid state memory technology, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and which can be read by a computer.
  • a computer-readable storage medium should not be construed as transitory signals per se (e.g., radio waves or other propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a transmission media such as a waveguide, or electrical signals transmitted through a wire).
  • Computer-readable program instructions may be downloaded to a computer, another type of programmable data processing apparatus, or another device from a computer- readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network.
  • Computer-readable program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium may be used to direct a computer, other types of programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions that implement the functions, acts, and/or operations specified in the flow charts, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams.
  • the computer program instructions may be provided to one or more processors of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the one or more processors, cause a series of computations to be performed to implement the functions, acts, and/or operations specified in the flow charts, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams.
  • the functions, acts, and/or operations specified in the flow charts, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams may be re-ordered, processed serially, and/or processed concurrently consistent with embodiments of the invention.
  • any of the flow charts, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams may include more or fewer blocks than those illustrated consistent with embodiments of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Primary Health Care (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des procédés, des systèmes et des produits de programmes informatiques destinés à traiter des critères de recherche à travers des espaces de recherche multiples. Le système comprend un ou plusieurs processeurs et une mémoire couplée aux processeurs. La mémoire conserve des données comportant du code de programme qui, lorsqu'il est exécuté par les processeurs, amène le système à recevoir des informations d'authentification pour accorder à un utilisateur l'accès à une plate-forme de profils universels associée au système. En réaction à la réception des informations d'authentification, le système est amené à accorder l'accès à la plate-forme de profils universels. La plate-forme de profils universels donne accès à un premier site web de recherche et à un second site web de recherche qui sont extérieurs au système. Le système est en outre amené à stocker, dans une base de données de profils universels, des données de profils qui comprennent une pluralité de critères de recherche soumis par l'utilisateur au premier site web de recherche. Les critères de recherche indiquent au moins un paramètre d'une recherche effectuée par le premier site web de recherche.
EP18785990.5A 2017-10-19 2018-10-19 Partage de critères de recherche entre des espaces de recherche multiples Ceased EP3698309A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1759815A FR3072811B1 (fr) 2017-10-19 2017-10-19 Partage de criteres de recherche entre de multiples espaces de recherche
US15/788,408 US20190121915A1 (en) 2017-10-19 2017-10-19 Sharing search criteria across multiple search spaces
PCT/EP2018/078749 WO2019077124A1 (fr) 2017-10-19 2018-10-19 Partage de critères de recherche entre des espaces de recherche multiples

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3698309A1 true EP3698309A1 (fr) 2020-08-26

Family

ID=63840867

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18785990.5A Ceased EP3698309A1 (fr) 2017-10-19 2018-10-19 Partage de critères de recherche entre des espaces de recherche multiples

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3698309A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2019077124A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6412073B1 (en) * 1998-12-08 2002-06-25 Yodiee.Com, Inc Method and apparatus for providing and maintaining a user-interactive portal system accessible via internet or other switched-packet-network
US8041601B2 (en) * 2003-09-30 2011-10-18 Google, Inc. System and method for automatically targeting web-based advertisements
FR2888069A1 (fr) * 2005-06-29 2007-01-05 France Telecom Procede d'echange de donnees entre un serveur et un client, serveur systeme comprenant ce serveur, client de ce systeme, programmes pour un ordinateur formant serveur et un ordinateur formant client
US20090248511A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Yahoo!, Inc. Advertisements on demand
EP2663951A1 (fr) * 2011-01-12 2013-11-20 Google, Inc. Recherche de vols

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019077124A1 (fr) 2019-04-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN110741390B (zh) 使用机器学习智能地提供支持信息的系统和方法
US20190278769A1 (en) Search query processing
US10755293B2 (en) Customer journey prediction and resolution
US11004016B2 (en) Query-based identifiers for cross-session response tracking
US20160371656A1 (en) Method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for meeting place recommendation using appointment information
US20150134372A1 (en) Integration of online self-booking tool and third party system search results
US20110282701A1 (en) Searching for Airline Travel Based Upon Seat Characteristics
US20150242495A1 (en) Search machine for presenting active search results
US20150127408A1 (en) Static schedule reaccommodation
KR20220014325A (ko) 사용자에게 운송 관련 서비스에 대한 하나 이상의 관심 지점을 추천하기 위한 통신 서버 장치, 방법 및 통신 시스템
CN111034157B (zh) 用于动态投递内容的系统和方法
US20200233907A1 (en) Location-based file recommendations for managed devices
US10089381B2 (en) Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a classification database
AU2017203619B2 (en) Searching available rental vehicles based on adjustable parameters
US20190121915A1 (en) Sharing search criteria across multiple search spaces
US20180047084A1 (en) Generating recommendations for an itinerary having multiple bounds
US20190089745A1 (en) Dynamic Application Versioning System
EP2998911A1 (fr) Reconnaissance d'entreprise pour des services de voyage
EP3698309A1 (fr) Partage de critères de recherche entre des espaces de recherche multiples
CA2887255A1 (fr) Systeme de reservation a entree sur support informatique
US20180365599A1 (en) Updating an entire itinerary based on modifying a single travel reservation
EP3301594B1 (fr) Traitement des requêtes de recherche
US20160086103A1 (en) Corporate recognition for travel related services
KR20200019400A (ko) 통합 예약 관리 시스템 및 방법
JP7549207B2 (ja) 情報処理システム、情報処理方法及びプログラム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200417

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: TORRENTI, MATTHIEU

Inventor name: FONTAINE, GAEL

Inventor name: KADAMALAKUNTE, AMAR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20210406

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R003

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 20220519