US20200202399A1 - System and method for obtaining accommodations - Google Patents
System and method for obtaining accommodations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200202399A1 US20200202399A1 US16/806,407 US202016806407A US2020202399A1 US 20200202399 A1 US20200202399 A1 US 20200202399A1 US 202016806407 A US202016806407 A US 202016806407A US 2020202399 A1 US2020202399 A1 US 2020202399A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- consumer
- hotel
- accommodations
- nonpublic
- rate
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 71
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000070023 Phoenicopterus roseus Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013515 script Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012795 verification Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
- G06Q30/0603—Catalogue ordering
-
- 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
- G06Q30/0282—Rating or review of business operators or products
Definitions
- the instant invention relates to a system and method for obtaining accommodations, and more particularly, to a system and method for providing a consumer with accommodations at a specific property at a nonpublic rate.
- HOTWIRE.COM Online systems for obtaining hotel reservations are known.
- HOTWIRE.COM is an Internet-based website that offers discounted prices on airfare, hotel, rental car, and vacation packages.
- the identity of the participating companies are not identified until after the purchaser has paid for the reservation.
- EXPEDIA.COM permits a consumer to book online or to call a call center using the exchange 1-800-EXPEDIA.
- What is needed is a reservation system that permits the consumer to obtain a travel related reservation at a set rate, but also permits the consumer to make an inquiry about receiving a non-public rate for an accommodation at a specific property.
- a system and method are provided whereby a consumer is provided with nonpublic hotel rate accommodations for specifically identified hotels.
- a consumer queries whether a non-public rate exists for a room at a specific hotel. Upon asking for a non-public rate, the consumer is informed of a range of possible rates or discounts for the requested hotel or property. However, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the consumer is not informed of the final price paid or discount obtained until after the consumer has paid for the reservation.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an illustration of one possible implementation of a graphical user interface form displayed on the display of a consumer for interacting with a website of the service provider.
- FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the steps of taken by a consumer to obtain a hotel accommodation in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the steps of taken by a consumer to obtain a hotel accommodation in accordance with another particular embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the steps of taken by a consumer to obtain a hotel accommodation in accordance with a further particular embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method for providing a value meter rating for a particular accommodation to a consumer in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating the purchase of hotel accommodations.
- hotel is used herein to refer to any type of property or accommodation (i.e., hotel, motel, apartment, condominium, lodge, etc.,) that is reserved and/or rented in the same manner as a hotel.
- purchase used herein is used to describe a payment made for hotel accommodations, usually, at the time of reserving or obtaining those accommodations.
- FIG. 1 A system 100 is provided wherein hotel accommodations can be obtained by a consumer 110 for any of the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 . Although only three hotels 120 , 130 , 140 are shown, this is only an example and not meant to be limiting. Rather, it is clearly understood that the invention can be used to offer thousands of hotels to a consumer.
- a server 170 that stores information about the rates of the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 in a database 175 .
- the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 may be unrelated to one another, as well as, to the owner/manager of the server 170 .
- the server 170 is overseen by a service used by consumers to book reservations for accommodations in the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 . This service does not, itself, have physical control over the accommodations provided to the consumer and/or oversee the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 . Rather the service collects the price data from a plurality of related and unrelated hotels and provides an interface for offering and selling accommodations to the consumer.
- the server 170 is operated from a call center 180 . However, this is not meant to be limiting, as the server 170 can be disposed at a different location, if desired.
- the server 170 is used to maintain a database 175 of current prices for the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 . These prices include the published accommodation rate available for each hotel 120 , 130 and 140 , typically available for a hotel. However, in accordance with the present invention, each hotel may also provide a non-public accommodation rate that the hotel 120 , 130 , 140 is making available exclusively to the facilitator of the service.
- the database 175 is constantly updated to include current published and non-public rates for accommodations in each of the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 .
- each of the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 provides the updated rate information to the server 170 and the database 175 stored thereon via an electronic connection with the server 170 . Alternately, the information can be provided to the service, which manually enters the information into the database 175 using the computer 184 .
- a consumer 110 provides an inquiry to the database 175 through an online website using, for example, the computer 164 .
- Step 310 Computer 164 is connected to the database 175 via a communications network 150 , which, in one preferred embodiment, is the Internet.
- the consumer can input the inquiry into a graphical user interface (GUI) form 200 available through the website of the service provider.
- GUI graphical user interface
- the inquiry can include, among other details, a date or date range and location for a desired hotel for which the consumer 110 is interested in obtaining hotel reservations.
- Such information can be input into blanks in a search box 210 incorporated into the GUI form 200 displayed on a display of the computer 164 .
- the server 170 will provide the consumer 110 with information 230 , 240 that includes published and publicly available room rate information 250 correlated to specific hotels 235 , 245 . Step 330 .
- the consumer 110 at this point in the process, has possession of both publicly available rate information 250 and specific hotel identification (i.e., hotel names) 235 , 245 . If the consumer 110 wishes to book the reservation at the published, publicly available room rate, the consumer clicks on the soft button 260 of the GUI form 200 , using a pointer device or mouse (not shown) of the computer 164 .
- the consumer 110 can use the GUI form 200 on the service provider/facilitator's website to book a hotel accommodation at the public rate.
- the system 100 of the invention additionally includes nonpublic rates provided by the hotels exclusively to a facilitator, which are additionally stored in a database, such as the database 175 .
- Specific information regarding these nonpublic hotel rates i.e., a specific price, a specific discount, etc.
- the service provider uses the GUI form 200 to encourage the consumer to contact a call center 180 to inquire, in realtime, whether a nonpublic rate is available to the consumer for a given hotel.
- the GUI form 200 provides only general information to the consumer 110 indicating that a nonpublic rate may be available to the consumer and that the consumer 110 should open a dialogue with the affiliated call center to find out more information.
- the GUI form 200 provides information encouraging the consumer to call a particular telephone number 220 to inquire about nonpublic rates for the same specific hotel or hotels 235 , 245 , that are lower than the published rates 250 shown on the GUI form 200 .
- the consumer 110 is encouraged to contact a call center 180 by telephone, to inquire after a lower, nonpublic rate.
- the consumer 110 then calls the call center 180 to interact, in realtime, with an operator 190 at the call center 180 . Step 340 .
- the operator 190 is a person, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the operator 190 may also be provided as a computerized intelligent voice activated switchboard instead of a person, if desired.
- the consumer 110 can contact the call center 180 via the telephone 162 over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or cellular/satellite telephone network 155 , where the operator 190 additionally communicates by telephone 182 .
- PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
- cellular/satellite telephone network 155 where the operator 190 additionally communicates by telephone 182 .
- a realtime dialogue between the consumer 110 and the call center 180 can be established using other methods than the PSTN or cellular/satellite network 155 .
- the consumer 110 can contact the call center 180 using a Voice Over IP (VOIP) protocol, for example, by making an Internet call using the Internet call soft button 270 on the GUI form 200 .
- VOIP Voice Over IP
- Such an Internet call can be made using a known service, such as SKYPETM, or with another type of system wherein voice calls are packetized and sent over the communications network 150 .
- the realtime dialogue between the consumer 110 and the call center 180 can be established as a live chat between the consumer 110 and an operator 190 by opening a live chat window on the computer 164 , using the soft button 275 on the GUI form 200 .
- the consumer 110 and operator 190 communicate in realtime by computer chat.
- a realtime dialogue between the consumer 110 and the operator 190 can also be established using a smartphone, tablet PC or PDA 166 .
- Such a device 166 can be used to communicate, in realtime, with the operator 190 via a computer 184 or smartphone 186 in the call center.
- a realtime dialogue between the consumer 110 and an operator 190 at the call center 180 can be transacted by SMS text messaging using a smartphone 166 communicating with a compatible device 186 , or another device, at the call center 180 .
- the nonpublic rate is not provided to the consumer as part of the GUI form 200 .
- the realtime dialogue engaged in between the consumer 110 and the call center includes at least: 1) a query (not in the GUI form 200 ) from the consumer regarding information about a nonpublic rate for a specifically identified (i.e., named) hotel; and 2) a realtime response from the operator 190 providing information relating to a nonpublic rate.
- the call center 180 can be run by the service provider/facilitator, or by a third party call center working in concert with the facilitator to provide nonpublic hotel accommodation rate information to those consumers 110 that contact the call center 180 .
- Such information can be accessed by the operator 190 from the server 170 and database 175 via a computer 184 located in the call center 180 and provided to the consumer 110 by telephone 182 .
- Step 350 the computer 184 in the call center can additionally be used to update rate information in the database 175 in accordance with information provided by the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 .
- the database 175 can be updated by other computers disposed at other locations, including servers under the control of the owners of the participating hotels 120 , 130 , 140 , via the communications network(s) 150 .
- one communications network 150 can include the Internet.
- computers and/or servers associated with the hotels 120 , 130 , 140 can be directly connected to the server 170 via a telephone communication network 150 (i.e., direct dialup) or by a non-internet communications network (i.e., an Intranet, LAN or WAN) in order to update the database with the public and nonpublic rates provided to the service provider.
- the consumer can choose, at that time, to purchase (i.e., pay for the reservation of) the accommodations in accordance with the information provided by the operator 190 .
- the consumer 110 can provide a credit card number, by telephone, to the operator 190 , who secures the reservation at a nonpublic rate.
- the operator 190 can enter information of the reservation into the server 170 , via the computer 184 . This information can subsequently be provided to the particular hotel via the communications network(s) 150 , or by some other method.
- the hotel 120 , 130 , 140 can download the reservation information from the server 170 when accessing the server 170 for updating the price in the database 175 .
- information of the reservation can be sent, in realtime, to the specific hotel 120 , 130 , 140 over the communications network(s) 150 .
- the identity of a hotel is provided to a consumer prior to purchasing the reservation, but the final purchase price is provided to the consumer only after the purchase has been completed.
- the method 400 includes steps that are substantially similar to those described above in connection with the method 300 of FIG. 3 , and which share the same reference numbers. However, in the method 400 of FIG. 4 , the final nonpublic rate paid by the consumer 110 is not disclosed to the consumer 110 until after a purchase has been made. Step 410 .
- the consumer 110 upon contacting the call center 180 , and enquiring about a nonpublic rate for a specific hotel, the consumer 110 is provided, in realtime, with a range of possible prices or a range of possible discounts offered by the hotel below the published rates previously viewed by the consumer on the GUI form 200 .
- the consumer can be informed that the final price they will pay may be anywhere between 10% and 25% lower than the published rate 250 for a specifically identified hotel 235 .
- the consumer is not informed of, at that time, the exact amount of discount within the range of between 10% and 25%.
- the consumer 110 knows the exact identity of the hotel 235 in which the accommodations will be secured (i.e., the Flamingo), but does not know the exact price that he or she will pay for the accommodations, except that the price is lower than the published rate. Only after making a payment to purchase the reservation is the consumer 110 told the final price paid (i.e., the final discount obtained) for the accommodations.
- the final price paid i.e., the final discount obtained
- the operator 190 accesses the nonpublic hotel accommodation rates stored in the database 175 and provides these nonpublic hotel accommodation rates based on rate criteria. As such, based on a predetermined rate criteria, the nonpublic hotel rate at which the accommodation is sold to the consumer 110 can be different than the nonpublic rate stored in the database 175 .
- the nonpublic rate available to the consumer 110 for purchasing the accommodation includes a markup over the nonpublic rate available to the service provider and stored by the hotel in the database 175 .
- a consumer is provided with nonpublic rate information via computer, in response to the initial query.
- a consumer 110 registers as a member of a particular group. Step 510 . This registration can be made either by computer 164 , or by calling a call center 180 by telephone.
- the consumer 110 provides membership registration information to the service provider, whereby the potential consumer 110 is joined into a group.
- Step 310 information of the nonpublic hotel accommodation rate is not immediately accessible by the consumer 110 on the website. Rather, the accessibility of the nonpublic hotel rate accommodation information becomes accessible by the consumer 110 upon that the consumer 110 is a member of a group entitled as to access the nonpublic hotel accommodation rate information requested. Step 520 .
- the consumer 110 After verification, the consumer 110 is granted access to nonpublic hotel rate accommodation information for specifically identified hotels. In the instant embodiment, access to nonpublic rate information and hotel identification is given to the consumer even before a consumer commits to purchasing any particular accommodations. Step 530 . After reviewing the nonpublic rate information for a specific hotel accommodation, the consumer 110 may choose to secure (i.e., purchase) the reservation by making payment for the accommodations online. Step 530 .
- the value meter value can be provided to the consumer in order to inform the consumer of the calculated value of a particular hotel, for purposes of providing the consumer with comparator information. More particularly, the provided value meter values can be used by a consumer in evaluating particular hotel room accommodations.
- an entity designated as an evaluator, acquires hotel accommodation information.
- the evaluator may be the same entity as the service provider/facilitator, an entity that works in concert with a facilitator, or another entity as desired. The evaluator will acquire hotel information and assemble information including, but not limited to, public accommodation rate information, location, and travel industry ratings for specific hotel accommodations.
- Step 620 will acquire hotel information and assemble information including, but not limited to, public accommodation rate information, location, and travel industry ratings for specific hotel accommodations.
- the evaluator will assign numerical quantitative values to each of rate, location, and travel industry ratings, for specific hotel accommodations. Step 630 .
- the quantitative values will then undergo mathematical computation in order to arrive at a value rating.
- Step 640 The mathematical computation performed is specified by the facilitator. The use of the mathematical computation may equally evaluate rate, location, and travel industry rating information or, alternatively, may give unequal weight to any one or combination of the quantitative values assigned to rates, location, and travel industry ratings.
- the value rating obtained by the mathematical computation is used by a facilitator in providing information to a potential hotel accommodation consumer, whereby the consumer is able to compare different hotel accommodations based on the mathematical value rating.
- the value meter rating for a specific hotel may be provided to the consumer 110 by the operator 190 .
- the value meter value for a specific hotel can be included on the website of the service provider.
- the operator 190 affiliated with a call center 180 can be, and preferably is, a live operator, this is not meant to limit the invention only thereto. It should be understood that, the operator 190 can be embodied by an intelligent, computerized operator 190 utilizing preprogrammed scripts to interact, in realtime, with the consumer 110 .
Landscapes
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
- Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
- Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
- Operations Research (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/754,667, filed on Apr. 6, 2010, entitled “System and Method for Obtaining Accommodations”, which application claimed priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 61/166,965 filed Apr. 6, 2009, and Provisional Patent Application No. 61/266,663 filed on Dec. 4, 2009, both entitled “System and Method for Purchasing Hotel Accommodations”, all of those applications being incorporated herein, by reference, in their entireties.
- The instant invention relates to a system and method for obtaining accommodations, and more particularly, to a system and method for providing a consumer with accommodations at a specific property at a nonpublic rate.
- Online systems for obtaining hotel reservations are known. For example, HOTWIRE.COM is an Internet-based website that offers discounted prices on airfare, hotel, rental car, and vacation packages. In the HOTWIRE.COM system, the identity of the participating companies are not identified until after the purchaser has paid for the reservation.
- Other Internet-based travel websites also exist wherein a consumer can book a travel related reservation from an online website. As an alternative to booking online, some travel services also maintain a separate call center, for receiving calls from consumers and booking by telephone. For example, EXPEDIA.COM permits a consumer to book online or to call a call center using the exchange 1-800-EXPEDIA.
- What is needed is a reservation system that permits the consumer to obtain a travel related reservation at a set rate, but also permits the consumer to make an inquiry about receiving a non-public rate for an accommodation at a specific property.
- A system and method are provided whereby a consumer is provided with nonpublic hotel rate accommodations for specifically identified hotels. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, a consumer queries whether a non-public rate exists for a room at a specific hotel. Upon asking for a non-public rate, the consumer is informed of a range of possible rates or discounts for the requested hotel or property. However, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the consumer is not informed of the final price paid or discount obtained until after the consumer has paid for the reservation.
- Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a system and method for obtaining accommodations, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
- The construction of the invention, however, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is an illustration of one possible implementation of a graphical user interface form displayed on the display of a consumer for interacting with a website of the service provider. -
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the steps of taken by a consumer to obtain a hotel accommodation in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the steps of taken by a consumer to obtain a hotel accommodation in accordance with another particular embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the steps of taken by a consumer to obtain a hotel accommodation in accordance with a further particular embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method for providing a value meter rating for a particular accommodation to a consumer in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. - The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating the purchase of hotel accommodations. The term “hotel” is used herein to refer to any type of property or accommodation (i.e., hotel, motel, apartment, condominium, lodge, etc.,) that is reserved and/or rented in the same manner as a hotel. Additionally, the term “purchase” used herein is used to describe a payment made for hotel accommodations, usually, at the time of reserving or obtaining those accommodations.
- One particular embodiment of the invention will now be described in connection with
FIG. 1 . Asystem 100 is provided wherein hotel accommodations can be obtained by aconsumer 110 for any of thehotels hotels - Referring back to
FIG. 1 , aserver 170 is provided that stores information about the rates of thehotels database 175. Thehotels server 170. In one particular embodiment, theserver 170 is overseen by a service used by consumers to book reservations for accommodations in thehotels hotels server 170 is operated from acall center 180. However, this is not meant to be limiting, as theserver 170 can be disposed at a different location, if desired. - As noted above, the
server 170 is used to maintain adatabase 175 of current prices for thehotels hotel hotel database 175 is constantly updated to include current published and non-public rates for accommodations in each of thehotels hotels server 170 and thedatabase 175 stored thereon via an electronic connection with theserver 170. Alternately, the information can be provided to the service, which manually enters the information into thedatabase 175 using thecomputer 184. - One
particular system 100 andmethod 300 of the invention will now be described in connection withFIGS. 1-3 . More particularly, aconsumer 110 provides an inquiry to thedatabase 175 through an online website using, for example, thecomputer 164.Step 310.Computer 164 is connected to thedatabase 175 via acommunications network 150, which, in one preferred embodiment, is the Internet. The consumer can input the inquiry into a graphical user interface (GUI)form 200 available through the website of the service provider. The inquiry can include, among other details, a date or date range and location for a desired hotel for which theconsumer 110 is interested in obtaining hotel reservations.Step 320. Such information can be input into blanks in asearch box 210 incorporated into theGUI form 200 displayed on a display of thecomputer 164. As noted above, hotels typically have published accommodation room rates that are stored in thedatabase 175. In response to theconsumer 110's query, theserver 170 will provide theconsumer 110 withinformation room rate information 250 correlated tospecific hotels Step 330. Theconsumer 110, at this point in the process, has possession of both publiclyavailable rate information 250 and specific hotel identification (i.e., hotel names) 235, 245. If theconsumer 110 wishes to book the reservation at the published, publicly available room rate, the consumer clicks on thesoft button 260 of theGUI form 200, using a pointer device or mouse (not shown) of thecomputer 164. Thus, theconsumer 110 can use theGUI form 200 on the service provider/facilitator's website to book a hotel accommodation at the public rate. - As noted above, the
system 100 of the invention additionally includes nonpublic rates provided by the hotels exclusively to a facilitator, which are additionally stored in a database, such as thedatabase 175. Specific information regarding these nonpublic hotel rates (i.e., a specific price, a specific discount, etc.) are not available to, or accessible by, theconsumer 110 from theGUI form 200 on the consumer'scomputer 164. Rather, the service provider uses theGUI form 200 to encourage the consumer to contact acall center 180 to inquire, in realtime, whether a nonpublic rate is available to the consumer for a given hotel. Thus, at most, theGUI form 200 provides only general information to theconsumer 110 indicating that a nonpublic rate may be available to the consumer and that theconsumer 110 should open a dialogue with the affiliated call center to find out more information. - In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, after the
consumer 110 receivespublic rate information 250 for one ormore hotels GUI form 200 by name. In the present embodiment, theGUI form 200 provides information encouraging the consumer to call aparticular telephone number 220 to inquire about nonpublic rates for the same specific hotel orhotels rates 250 shown on theGUI form 200. Thus, theconsumer 110 is encouraged to contact acall center 180 by telephone, to inquire after a lower, nonpublic rate. In response to this encouragement, theconsumer 110 then calls thecall center 180 to interact, in realtime, with anoperator 190 at thecall center 180.Step 340. Note, however, that in one embodiment of the invention theoperator 190 is a person, as shown inFIG. 1 . However, theoperator 190 may also be provided as a computerized intelligent voice activated switchboard instead of a person, if desired. As such, as shown inFIG. 1 , theconsumer 110 can contact thecall center 180 via thetelephone 162 over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or cellular/satellite telephone network 155, where theoperator 190 additionally communicates bytelephone 182. - However, a realtime dialogue between the
consumer 110 and thecall center 180 can be established using other methods than the PSTN or cellular/satellite network 155. For example, as an alternative to using thenetwork 155, theconsumer 110 can contact thecall center 180 using a Voice Over IP (VOIP) protocol, for example, by making an Internet call using the Internet callsoft button 270 on theGUI form 200. Such an Internet call can be made using a known service, such as SKYPE™, or with another type of system wherein voice calls are packetized and sent over thecommunications network 150. - In another embodiment of the invention, the realtime dialogue between the
consumer 110 and thecall center 180 can be established as a live chat between theconsumer 110 and anoperator 190 by opening a live chat window on thecomputer 164, using thesoft button 275 on theGUI form 200. In such an embodiment, theconsumer 110 andoperator 190 communicate in realtime by computer chat. If desired, such a realtime dialogue between theconsumer 110 and theoperator 190 can also be established using a smartphone, tablet PC orPDA 166. Such adevice 166 can be used to communicate, in realtime, with theoperator 190 via acomputer 184 orsmartphone 186 in the call center. Similarly, in one particular embodiment of the present invention, a realtime dialogue between theconsumer 110 and anoperator 190 at thecall center 180 can be transacted by SMS text messaging using asmartphone 166 communicating with acompatible device 186, or another device, at thecall center 180. - However, despite the method of conducting the realtime dialogue, it is important to note that, in the present embodiment of the invention, the nonpublic rate is not provided to the consumer as part of the
GUI form 200. Rather, the realtime dialogue engaged in between theconsumer 110 and the call center includes at least: 1) a query (not in the GUI form 200) from the consumer regarding information about a nonpublic rate for a specifically identified (i.e., named) hotel; and 2) a realtime response from theoperator 190 providing information relating to a nonpublic rate. - The
call center 180 can be run by the service provider/facilitator, or by a third party call center working in concert with the facilitator to provide nonpublic hotel accommodation rate information to thoseconsumers 110 that contact thecall center 180. Such information can be accessed by theoperator 190 from theserver 170 anddatabase 175 via acomputer 184 located in thecall center 180 and provided to theconsumer 110 bytelephone 182.Step 350. If desired, thecomputer 184 in the call center can additionally be used to update rate information in thedatabase 175 in accordance with information provided by thehotels database 175 can be updated by other computers disposed at other locations, including servers under the control of the owners of the participatinghotels communications network 150 can include the Internet. Alternately, if desired, computers and/or servers associated with thehotels server 170 via a telephone communication network 150 (i.e., direct dialup) or by a non-internet communications network (i.e., an Intranet, LAN or WAN) in order to update the database with the public and nonpublic rates provided to the service provider. - Upon receiving information relating to the nonpublic rate, the consumer can choose, at that time, to purchase (i.e., pay for the reservation of) the accommodations in accordance with the information provided by the
operator 190. For example, theconsumer 110 can provide a credit card number, by telephone, to theoperator 190, who secures the reservation at a nonpublic rate.Step 360. Theoperator 190 can enter information of the reservation into theserver 170, via thecomputer 184. This information can subsequently be provided to the particular hotel via the communications network(s) 150, or by some other method. In one particular example of the invention, thehotel server 170 when accessing theserver 170 for updating the price in thedatabase 175. Alternately, information of the reservation can be sent, in realtime, to thespecific hotel - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , there will be described amethod 400 in accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention. More particularly, in themethod 400, the identity of a hotel is provided to a consumer prior to purchasing the reservation, but the final purchase price is provided to the consumer only after the purchase has been completed. Themethod 400 includes steps that are substantially similar to those described above in connection with themethod 300 ofFIG. 3 , and which share the same reference numbers. However, in themethod 400 ofFIG. 4 , the final nonpublic rate paid by theconsumer 110 is not disclosed to theconsumer 110 until after a purchase has been made.Step 410. Rather, upon contacting thecall center 180, and enquiring about a nonpublic rate for a specific hotel, theconsumer 110 is provided, in realtime, with a range of possible prices or a range of possible discounts offered by the hotel below the published rates previously viewed by the consumer on theGUI form 200. For example, the consumer can be informed that the final price they will pay may be anywhere between 10% and 25% lower than the publishedrate 250 for a specifically identifiedhotel 235. However, the consumer is not informed of, at that time, the exact amount of discount within the range of between 10% and 25%. Thus, theconsumer 110 knows the exact identity of thehotel 235 in which the accommodations will be secured (i.e., the Flamingo), but does not know the exact price that he or she will pay for the accommodations, except that the price is lower than the published rate. Only after making a payment to purchase the reservation is theconsumer 110 told the final price paid (i.e., the final discount obtained) for the accommodations. - In determining the final rate to be paid by the
consumer 110, theoperator 190 accesses the nonpublic hotel accommodation rates stored in thedatabase 175 and provides these nonpublic hotel accommodation rates based on rate criteria. As such, based on a predetermined rate criteria, the nonpublic hotel rate at which the accommodation is sold to theconsumer 110 can be different than the nonpublic rate stored in thedatabase 175. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the nonpublic rate available to theconsumer 110 for purchasing the accommodation includes a markup over the nonpublic rate available to the service provider and stored by the hotel in thedatabase 175. - In another particular embodiment, instead of receiving information of the nonpublic rate as part of a realtime dialogue with a call center, as done in connection with the embodiments of
FIGS. 2-4 , a consumer is provided with nonpublic rate information via computer, in response to the initial query. Referring more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 5 , there will be described amethod 500 for providing aconsumer 110 with nonpublic rate information for a specifically identifiedhotel consumer 110 registers as a member of a particular group.Step 510. This registration can be made either bycomputer 164, or by calling acall center 180 by telephone. Theconsumer 110 provides membership registration information to the service provider, whereby thepotential consumer 110 is joined into a group. - Once registered, the
consumer 110 accesses the service provider's website.Step 310. However, information of the nonpublic hotel accommodation rate is not immediately accessible by theconsumer 110 on the website. Rather, the accessibility of the nonpublic hotel rate accommodation information becomes accessible by theconsumer 110 upon that theconsumer 110 is a member of a group entitled as to access the nonpublic hotel accommodation rate information requested.Step 520. - After verification, the
consumer 110 is granted access to nonpublic hotel rate accommodation information for specifically identified hotels. In the instant embodiment, access to nonpublic rate information and hotel identification is given to the consumer even before a consumer commits to purchasing any particular accommodations.Step 530. After reviewing the nonpublic rate information for a specific hotel accommodation, theconsumer 110 may choose to secure (i.e., purchase) the reservation by making payment for the accommodations online.Step 530. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , there is provided amethod 600 for providing a value meter relating to the value of a hotel rate, in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention. The value meter value can be provided to the consumer in order to inform the consumer of the calculated value of a particular hotel, for purposes of providing the consumer with comparator information. More particularly, the provided value meter values can be used by a consumer in evaluating particular hotel room accommodations. Inmethod 600, an entity, designated as an evaluator, acquires hotel accommodation information.Step 610. The evaluator may be the same entity as the service provider/facilitator, an entity that works in concert with a facilitator, or another entity as desired. The evaluator will acquire hotel information and assemble information including, but not limited to, public accommodation rate information, location, and travel industry ratings for specific hotel accommodations.Step 620. - Then, the evaluator will assign numerical quantitative values to each of rate, location, and travel industry ratings, for specific hotel accommodations.
Step 630. The quantitative values will then undergo mathematical computation in order to arrive at a value rating.Step 640. The mathematical computation performed is specified by the facilitator. The use of the mathematical computation may equally evaluate rate, location, and travel industry rating information or, alternatively, may give unequal weight to any one or combination of the quantitative values assigned to rates, location, and travel industry ratings. - The value rating obtained by the mathematical computation is used by a facilitator in providing information to a potential hotel accommodation consumer, whereby the consumer is able to compare different hotel accommodations based on the mathematical value rating. For example, in the embodiments of
FIGS. 2-4 , the value meter rating for a specific hotel may be provided to theconsumer 110 by theoperator 190. Alternately, in some embodiments, including the embodiment ofFIG. 6 , the value meter value for a specific hotel can be included on the website of the service provider. - Although described herein in connection with accommodations, it should be understood that the principles of the present invention can be applied to airplane reservations, cruise reservations, car reservations, etc., without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Additionally, it should be noted that the
operator 190 affiliated with acall center 180 can be, and preferably is, a live operator, this is not meant to limit the invention only thereto. It should be understood that, theoperator 190 can be embodied by an intelligent,computerized operator 190 utilizing preprogrammed scripts to interact, in realtime, with theconsumer 110. - While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (25)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/806,407 US20200202399A1 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2020-03-02 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16696509P | 2009-04-06 | 2009-04-06 | |
US26666309P | 2009-12-04 | 2009-12-04 | |
US12/754,667 US10621637B2 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2010-04-06 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
US16/806,407 US20200202399A1 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2020-03-02 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/754,667 Division US10621637B2 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2010-04-06 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20200202399A1 true US20200202399A1 (en) | 2020-06-25 |
Family
ID=42826951
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/754,667 Active 2031-06-09 US10621637B2 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2010-04-06 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
US16/806,407 Pending US20200202399A1 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2020-03-02 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/754,667 Active 2031-06-09 US10621637B2 (en) | 2009-04-06 | 2010-04-06 | System and method for obtaining accommodations |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US10621637B2 (en) |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5794207A (en) | 1996-09-04 | 1998-08-11 | Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for a cryptographically assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate buyer-driven conditional purchase offers |
US7263494B1 (en) * | 2000-02-25 | 2007-08-28 | Harris Scott C | Graphical travel system for the internet |
US7136821B1 (en) * | 2000-04-18 | 2006-11-14 | Neat Group Corporation | Method and apparatus for the composition and sale of travel-oriented packages |
US6990457B1 (en) * | 2000-06-06 | 2006-01-24 | Hotels.Com | System and method for conducting transactions involving generically identified items |
US20030208387A1 (en) * | 2001-02-08 | 2003-11-06 | Jeffrey Russell | On-line purchase of partially anonymous products |
US20030097274A1 (en) * | 2001-11-16 | 2003-05-22 | Parsons Thomas W. | Method and system for compiling, displaying, and updating travel information |
US7584110B2 (en) | 2005-09-20 | 2009-09-01 | Emirates | System and method for booking of hotel accommodations for travelers |
US20070203736A1 (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2007-08-30 | Commonwealth Intellectual Property Holdings, Inc. | Interactive 411 Directory Assistance |
-
2010
- 2010-04-06 US US12/754,667 patent/US10621637B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-03-02 US US16/806,407 patent/US20200202399A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20100257001A1 (en) | 2010-10-07 |
US10621637B2 (en) | 2020-04-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6990457B1 (en) | System and method for conducting transactions involving generically identified items | |
US9324083B2 (en) | Booking system and method | |
US7765119B2 (en) | System and method for predictive booking of reservations based on historical aggregation and events | |
US20190236742A1 (en) | Method for requesting a ride service in a ride service system | |
US20070100644A1 (en) | Consumer-initiated marketing for real-estate connected products | |
US20120166232A1 (en) | Customer managed restaurant information system | |
US20130211963A1 (en) | Facilitation of interaction between providers, buyers, and agents | |
US20080027808A1 (en) | Method For Providing Shopping Advice | |
US20160042445A1 (en) | System and Method for Recurrent Rental Vehicle Location and Rate Selection Using Network Based Data | |
KR101550970B1 (en) | System and method for intermediating real estate transaction | |
KR20150035929A (en) | Recording medium storing a joint program between the intermediary for the exclusive use of this method and the participating over the network intermediary between the customer and the transaction method and the real estate agent | |
US20070027708A1 (en) | Systems and methods to facilitate rental transactions | |
JP6132513B2 (en) | Real estate transaction support system | |
JP6200041B1 (en) | Store search system and method | |
KR20200039560A (en) | O2o-based comprehensive moving service method using a blockchain | |
US20090210352A1 (en) | Website presence marketplace | |
KR101187338B1 (en) | Customized real time korea medical tour service and gift certificate for foreign medical tourist | |
US20200202399A1 (en) | System and method for obtaining accommodations | |
KR20150120134A (en) | System for consultation service upon online based on auction and method for consultation service upon online based on auction therefor | |
KR101961278B1 (en) | Business unit information providing apparutus, method and system through network | |
Biełuszko et al. | Room rate parity vs. rate fences in the context of price discrimination theory: The case of the Polish hospitality market | |
JP4281903B2 (en) | Hotel room reservation system | |
US20040176972A1 (en) | System and method for processing information on goods or service | |
US20200167857A1 (en) | Redemption Rate Determination Engine | |
JP2002163522A (en) | Travel reservation system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: APPLICATION DISPATCHED FROM PREEXAM, NOT YET DOCKETED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PRICELINE.COM LLC, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CONSUMER CLUB, INC.;REEL/FRAME:060689/0624 Effective date: 20211230 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONSUMER CLUB, INC., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DIENER, ROBERT B.;LITMAN, DAVID S.;REEL/FRAME:060707/0987 Effective date: 20180702 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |