WO1998018096A9 - Systeme de reservation de transports - Google Patents

Systeme de reservation de transports

Info

Publication number
WO1998018096A9
WO1998018096A9 PCT/US1997/019202 US9719202W WO9818096A9 WO 1998018096 A9 WO1998018096 A9 WO 1998018096A9 US 9719202 W US9719202 W US 9719202W WO 9818096 A9 WO9818096 A9 WO 9818096A9
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transportation
vendor
reservation
assets
service request
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/019202
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1998018096A1 (fr
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed filed Critical
Priority to AU49164/97A priority Critical patent/AU4916497A/en
Publication of WO1998018096A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998018096A1/fr
Publication of WO1998018096A9 publication Critical patent/WO1998018096A9/fr

Links

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing for delivery of transportation services and, in particular, ground transportation services.
  • a person needing ground transportation services for example a person flying to an airport away from his home needing ground transportation upon his arrival, has three options. He can identify a local ground transportation service vendor and contact that vendor in advance of his need for the ground transportation services to reserve and arrange for the required services. Alternatively, upon arrival, he may secure ground transportation services, for example, at a taxi stand. Finally, he may use public ground transportation, for example, buses or trains.
  • ground transportation service options have considerable disadvantages. Because there is no centralized system to handle ground transportation reservations and there are very few ground transportation service vendors that service more than one local area, if a person wants to reserve ground transportation services in advance, he must research and contact local ground transportation service vendors. He may have to call numerous ground transportation service vendors to find one that can fulfill his needs. Moreover, to ensure that he is not over paying for the requested ground transportation services, he may want to call all vendors in the local area for competitive price quotations. This involves a significant amount of time and expense in long distance calling.
  • Public ground transportation service is not available everywhere and is not a viable option in many circumstances, for example, group travel, travelers with luggage and business travelers that require reliable, on time transportation.
  • ground transportation options currently available to a traveler involve either significant time and expense to make reservations or the risk of being stranded.
  • an efficient method and apparatus for providing for the reservation and delivery of ground transportation services there exists a need in the art for an efficient method and apparatus for providing for the reservation and delivery of ground transportation services.
  • ground transportation service vendors rely on reservations made directly by the travelers. Vendors that rely exclusively on reservations made by the travelers do not receive reservations from travel agents and are missing out on a potentially lucrative market.
  • Ground transportation service vendors wanting to fulfill request for ground transportation services mainly rely on manual dispatching using paper records, radios, telephones and pagers to keep track of available ground transportation service resources (i.e. vehicles and drivers) . That system has the obvious disadvantages of being labor intensive, making it difficult to keep accurate business records and being susceptible to human error .
  • ground transportation service vendors use automated reservation systems. However, those reservation systems merely schedule reservations and do not coordinate the ability to provide the requested ground transportation services. Thus, often times reservation accepted on automated reservation systems are in excess of that which the ground transportation service vendor can fulfill .
  • Ground transportation service vendors also generally handle billing manually.
  • Billing for ground transportation services is generally either on a per mile basis or on a point to point basis ("lane" pricing) for frequent trips, for example, airport service.
  • the fare for a trip on a per mile basis will vary depending on the route taken and possibly, traffic encountered (if there is a time surcharge) .
  • Billing rates on a point to point basis are kept in tabular form either in books or on computers for price quotation by local ground transportation service vendors.
  • the above problems are solved in accordance with the present invention by providing a method and apparatus for reservation and delivery of transportation services and, in particular, ground transportation services.
  • the invention provides for an automated computerized ground transportation service reservation system linking vendors of ground transportation services and agents selling ground transportation services.
  • Ground transportation service reservation requests are received from the agents and distributed to the vendors for fulfillment through the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • the availability of vendors to fulfill requests for ground transportation services are maintained by the vendor on a computer system at its location.
  • "switches" on the screen display of the vendors' computer system indicate its availability and each vendor's availability is "mirrored" onto storage on a ground transportation reservation system server so that the server can make reservations as requests are received from the agents.
  • Automated dispatching and billing are also provided for through the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of hardware for an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • Figures 2a and 2b, 7a, 7b and 8 are flow diagrams for an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • Figures 3 - 5, 9 and 10 are computer screen displays for an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram for hardware of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • Representative hardware to support the invention includes a ground transportation reservation system server 10.
  • Computer systems for vendors providing ground transportation services 12 are connected to the ground transportation reservation system server 10 via link 14.
  • Computer systems for agents selling ground transportation services 16 are also connected to the ground transportation reservation system server 10.
  • the agents 16 are connected to the server 10 through link 18, an agent connection 20 and link 22.
  • the agent connection 20 to the server 10 includes connections through wide area network (WAN) systems maintained by travel agencies for use by their agents, Global Distribution Systems (GDS) , for example, Apollo, Sabre, Worldspan and Galileo, and the internet.
  • WAN wide area network
  • GDS Global Distribution Systems
  • Links 14, 18 and 22 are preferably dial up or dedicated communications circuits and connected to modems.
  • the server 10 also has external connection to electronic banking service networks (e.g. credit and debit card services) (not shown) .
  • the ground transportation reservation system server 10 may be used to connect vendors of ground transportation services 12 and agents selling ground transportation services 16.
  • the ground transportation reservation system of the invention is preferably designed for use by travel agents selling ground transportation services, agents as used herein encompasses businesses or individual customers making arrangements to access the ground transportation reservation system server 10 as discussed in detail below.
  • the ground transportation reservation system server 10 includes two Sun Microsystems 2000E scalable multiprocessor computers. Each computer includes a CDROM drive and a helical tape drive.
  • Both computers are connected to a 60 GB high availability RAID disk array, draw power from separate uninterruptable power supplies and have external connection points to enable connection to vendors providing ground transportation services 12, agents selling ground transportation services 16 and electronic banking service networks.
  • the vendor 12 and agent 16 computer systems are preferably IBM-compatible personal computers.
  • FIGs. 2a and 2b are flow diagrams of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • a request for a ground transportation service 30 is received by the ground transportation reservation system server 10 from an agent selling ground transportation services 16 via links 18 and 22 and agent connection 20.
  • the service request 30 includes, for example, the following information: (1) agent and terminal identification information to enable log in, (2) time, date, start location (including airline and flight number if applicable) , phone number at start location, number of legs to trip and end location, (3) vehicle preference .e.g. sedan, limousine, van, bus, helicopter, boat) and alternative vehicle preference, (4) method of payment, credit or debit card account number and expiration date, and (5) customer information and demographics (e. ⁇ .
  • Service request 30 is checked 32 to determine if all required information has been provided. If required information is missing, a message 34 is returned to the agent selling ground transportation services 16 stating that required information is missing and noting the proper format for service requests.
  • the service request 30 is checked 36 to determine if the agent selling ground transportation services 16 has requested placement of a reservation, a price quotation or cancellation of an existing reservation. If the agent 16 requested cancellation of an existing reservation, the reservation is cancelled and the computer system operated by the vendor of ground transportation services 12 is updated to reflect the cancellation 38 as discussed in detail below. if the agent 16 requested either a reservation or price quotation, the ground transportation reservation system server creates a list 40 of vendors of ground transportation services 12 that service the area of the service request 30. Vendor coverage tables 41 are accessed to create the list 40.
  • ground transportation services are not provided in the area of the service request 30 through the ground transportation reservation system, or if there are no vendors 12 servicing that area, a message 42 is returned to the agent 16 stating, for example, that no coverage is currently available but is planned for a future date.
  • the vendor coverage list 40 is created and the service request 30 is checked 44 to determine if it is for the same date that the request is made or for a future date. If the service request 30 is for a future date, each vendor of ground transportation services 12 on the vendor coverage list 40 is queried 46 via link 14 to determine if it can fulfill the service request 30. For each vendor 12 on the vendor coverage list 40, the ground transportation reservation system checks 48 the vendor's calendar as discussed in detail below to determine the vendor' s future availability to fulfill the service request 30. In that manner, the ground transportation reservation system creates a list 46 of vendors that are available to fulfill the ground transportation service request 30. The vendor availability list 46 is checked 50 to determine if there is at least one vendor 12 available to fulfill the service request 30. If there is no vendor 12 available, a message
  • each vendor of ground transportation services 12 on the vendor coverage list 40 is queried 54 to determine if it can fulfill the service request 30.
  • "switches" on the vendor's computer system as discussed in detail below are checked 56 to determine the vendor's availability. In that manner, a list of vendors 54 that are available to fulfill the service request 30 is created.
  • the vendor availability list 46 the vendor availability list 54 is checked 50 and either a message 52 is returned to the agent 16 or pricing for the service request 30 is determined.
  • a global positioning satellite may be accessed 60 to determine the coordinates of the start and end locations of the service request 30 and the distance between the start and end locations.
  • a maximum, mileage-based price for the service request 30 is determined 58 as the mileage between the start and end locations multiplied by each vendor's price per mile.
  • the distance between the start and end locations of the service request is determined upon access to Prophecy, a commercial system available from
  • the mileage based price is compared 62 to point-to-point pricing offered by each vendor and any corporate or specific discount fare programs offered by each vendor.
  • the service request 30 is checked 64 to see if a reservation or a price quotation was requested by the agent 16. If a price quote was requested, a message 66 is returned to the agent 16 over links 18 and 22 and connection 20 stating that, for example, a vendor is available to provide the requested service and the price for the requested service. If more than one vendor is available, price quotes from each of the available vendors 12 may be provided to the agent 16.
  • the reservation is added to the ground transportation reservation system server 10 and the vendor's 12 computer system is updated to record the reservation 68 as discussed in detail below and a message 70 is returned to the agent 16 containing, for example, a confirmation number, the vendor 12 name, an emergency phone number, the price for the ground transportation services and credit or debit card account approval number, if applicable (i.e. customer may request billing invoices) .
  • a confirmation number e.g., a confirmation number
  • the vendor 12 name e.e. customer may request billing invoices
  • an emergency phone number e.e. customer may request billing invoices
  • the price for the ground transportation services i.e. customer may request billing invoices
  • credit or debit card account approval number if applicable (i.e. customer may request billing invoices) .
  • its lowest price is the quoted or reserved price.
  • the ground transportation reservation system server 10 has at least the following information available to it in order to process ground transportation service requests: (1) agent and terminal identification information, time, date, start and end location of the requested ground transportation service, vehicle preference, method of payment and customer information and demographics, all of which are provided by the agent; (2) vendor information, availability of vendor resources (i.e. vehicles and drivers) on a daily (switches) and long term (calendar) basis, vendor pricing schemes, all of which are provided by the vendor; (3) customer account approval number which is provided by the customer's credit or debit card provider; (4) confirmation number which is assigned by the server; and (5) mileage information provided by an outside service.
  • agent and terminal identification information time, date, start and end location of the requested ground transportation service, vehicle preference, method of payment and customer information and demographics, all of which are provided by the agent
  • vendor information availability of vendor resources (i.e. vehicles and drivers) on a daily (switches) and long term (calendar) basis, vendor pricing schemes, all of which are provided by the vendor
  • Figure 3 is a computer screen display of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • the screen display of Figure 3 is a "calendar" indicating the availability of a vendor of ground transportation services 12 to fulfill requests for ground transportation services 30 on dates in advance of the date the request is made as discussed above with respect to steps 46 and 48 in Figure 2.
  • the screen display of Figure 3 shows the number and types of vehicles the vendor 12 has available on specific dates. For example, for the particular vendor whose fleet is shown in Figure 3, on September 30, 1996, there are ten sedans, eight deluxe sedans, four limousines and five deluxe limousines available to provide ground transportation services 84. Note that the "Calendar" button 80 is activated to view this screen. Upon activation of the
  • FIG. 4 is a computer screen display of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system.
  • the screen display of Figure 4 contains "switches” indicating the availability of the entire fleet of a vendor of ground transportation services 12 to fulfill requests for ground transportation services 30 at fifteen minute intervals on the date the request is made as discussed above with respect to steps 54 and 56 in Figure 2.
  • the switches are buttons on the computer screen display activated by, for example, pointing and clicking a mouse .
  • Fleet Master Switches 86 and 88 indicate the availability of the vendor's entire fleet. Switch 86 if selected (darkened) would indicate that the vendor's entire fleet is occupied and unavailable. Selected switch 88 indicates that the vendor's fleet has at least some vehicles unoccupied and available. Vehicle type master switches 96 can be used to indicate that the vendor has no availability of a particular type of vehicle for an entire day. For example, vehicle type master switch 98 indicates that the vendor has no stretch limousines available for the date shown in Figure 4.
  • Additional switches indicate availability by vehicle type and time interval.
  • the particular vendor whose fleet is shown in Figure 4 has ten sedans, eight limousines, three buses, ten jet skis and two boats in service and available to fulfill transportation reservation requests.
  • the invention may be used to provide for reservation and delivery of a variety of vehicles and services.
  • the vendor also has one stretch limousine and two vans occupied and, thus, unavailable to fulfill ground transportation reservation requests during that time interval.
  • the vendor has eleven sedans and four limousines occupied and unavailable.
  • the number along side the vehicle type master switches 96 indicates the total number of particular types of vehicles for which the vendors will accept reservations, for example, the number three along side master switch 98 indicates that the vendor has three stretch limousines for which it will accept reservations on the particular day shown.
  • the number along side of the switches for each time intervals indicates the number of the particular type of vehicles for which the vendor will accept reservations at a given time interval, for example at 7:15 a.m. 90, the vendor has ten sedans, eight limousines, one stretch limousine, two vans, three buses, ten jet skis and two boats for which it will accept reservations.
  • two numbers may appear along side the switches (e.g. 8/5) (not shown) . The first number denoting the number of vehicles for which the vendor will accept reservations and the second number denoting the number of vehicles for which reservations have already been received.
  • each vendor's availability is "mirrored" by the ground transportation reservation system server 10 so that the server independently stores each vendor's availability.
  • the server 10 then mirrors the vendor's revised availability reflected in the switches on the screen display in Figure 4.
  • the server 10 when a reservation is placed for one of the vendor's vehicles, the reservation and hence unavailability of one of the vendor's vehicles is communicated to the vendor's computer system by the server 10 over link 14.
  • FIG. 5 is a computer screen display of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention.
  • the screen display shown in Figure 5 represents a vendor's availability to fulfill ground transportation service requests for a particular vehicle type during particular time intervals on a particular date.
  • the vehicle type of the screen display of Figure 5 is a sedan 99. Both a.m. and p.m. availability 101 for the vendor's sedans is shown for the date shown in the screen display of Figure 5 (a.m. availability is shown per hour in row 106 and p.m. availability is shown per hour in row 108) .
  • the vendor has 20% of its vehicles occupied and unavailable and at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. 100 and 102 80% of its vehicles are occupied and unavailable. If either a.m. or p.m. was selected, availability for the vendor's sedans at half hour intervals during the a.m. or p.m. would appear on the screen display.
  • the screen display shown in Figure 5 could be created using various time intervals.
  • a "safety net” feature is provided to allow the vendor to set an artificial limit on its availability. For example, a vendor that wants to reserve 20% of its vehicles for requests not made through the ground transportation reservation system of the invention, will set its limit of service requests received through the ground transportation reservation system of the invention at 80%. This is represented in the screen display of Figure 5, where at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. 100 and 102 the 80% occupancy rate of the vendor's vehicles appears darkened to indicate that the vendor will not receive any further requests during those intervals. The check mark 103 above the 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. time intervals are switches indicating that the vendor has no vehicles available during those times.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention and, in particular, the mirroring of vendor's availability onto the ground transportation reservation system server 10.
  • vendor one has o one limousine, one sedan, and two vans at site one 110
  • vendor two has one limousine and one van at site two 112
  • vendor three has one sedan and one bus at site one and one limousine at site three 114. That information is entered on the computer systems 110, 112, 114 of vendors one, two and three and is mirrored onto the ground transportation reservation system server 10 so that the vendors' availability information is stored 116 on the server 10.
  • Figure 7a is a flow diagram for an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention and, in particular, the mirroring of the vendor availability onto the ground transportation reservation system server 10.
  • the vendor 12 enters or updates its availability to provide ground transportation services 120 using switches shown in Figure 4.
  • the vendor's availability to provide ground transportation services is transmitted 122 to the ground transportation reservation system server 10 via link 14.
  • the server 10 stores 124 the transmitted vendor's availability information.
  • the server 10 can then access the stored vendor availability information to make reservations for ground transportation services .
  • Figure 7b is a flow diagram for an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention and, in particular, the mirroring of reservations onto the vendor's computer system.
  • the ground transportation reservation system server 10 makes a reservation for ground transportation services for a vendor's vehicle 126.
  • the reservation is transmitted 128 from the server 10 to the vendor computer system via link 14.
  • the vendor's availability on the vendor's computer system is updated 130 to reflect the reservation using the switches shown in Figure 4.
  • the vendor can view the switches on its computer system to see the availability and usage of its vehicles.
  • the ground transportation reservation system of the invention also includes an initialization or configuration step.
  • a vendor of ground transportation services 12 When a vendor of ground transportation services 12 is first connected to the ground transportation reservation system of the invention, the vendor is required to enter certain information on the computer system at its location for transmission to the server 10 over link 14. That information includes, for example, the following: company name, owner, address where the vendor's vehicles are kept and maintained, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, a modem number from which the vendor's computer system will call into the ground transportation reservation system server 10 over link 14, modem numbers over which the ground transportation reservation system server 10 can call the vendor's computer system over link 14, a registration number, a contact person, type of business operated, name of the vendor's bank, address of the vendor's bank, phone number of the vendor's bank, a bank account number, tax ID number, the number and types of vehicles the vendor owns (e.g. sedan, stretch limousines, buses, vans, boats) and a percent safety net .
  • vehicle name e
  • the ground transportation reservation system of the invention contains eight primary databases to facilitate the reservation and delivery of ground transportation services.
  • a customer database contains all pertinent information about a customer and includes, for example, the following: name, address, phone number, company, company address, company phone number, account number, bank and credit card account numbers, emergency contact persons, vehicle preference and alternative vehicle preference, directions to his home and company, and reservation numbers for recent trips.
  • a transaction database contains a chronological listing of transactions made, changed, completed and status of billing and includes, for example, the following information: o customer name, company name, date of trip, time of trip, reservation number, account number, cost of trip, amount paid, balance and method of payment.
  • a calendar database contains information for each different type of vehicle that a vendor of ground transportation services operates ⁇ and includes, for example, the following information for any given day. the number of vehicles available, reservations made and drivers available.
  • a reservation database includes reservation activity information. In the preferred embodiment, the reservation database would 0 contain reservation activity for the preceding month and the next twelve months in the calendar year.
  • the reservation database includes, for example, the following information: a reservation number, date, time, start location, number of legs to the trip, end location, 5 estimated duration of the trip, number of travelers, vehicle type, a change number (if the reservation was changed for any reason), and an account number.
  • a ground transportation service providers database contains a listing of ground transportation service providers that 0 may be used to fulfill excess reservations and includes, for example, the following information: providers name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, vehicle types and a contact person.
  • a contact database would be an listing of all contact agencies (e.g. travel agencies 5 servicing a particular area) and includes, for example, the following information: agency name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address and contact person.
  • a drivers database will contain an listing of all drivers employed by the ground transportation service vendor and 0 includes, for example, the following information: driver name, date of hire, date of last physical, date of last review, date of employment termination (if applicable) , date rehired (if applicable) , shifts worked, wages, benefits, date of birth, gender, race, address, phone 5 number, emergency phone number, social security number, driver's license number, employee number and restrictions.
  • a contract database will maintain information pertaining to contract rates available to certain preferred customers and includes, for example, the following information: the company, address, phone number, fax number, account number, contact person and directions to the company location.
  • the ground transportation service reservation system of the invention enables a variety of screen displays to be supported and reports be printed out for the use of the ground transportation reservation system provider and the vendors 12 of ground transportation services.
  • screen displays and reports include, for example, the following information: hourly, daily and monthly reservations and vehicle usage for each vendor, configuration information for each vendor, customer usage and invoices for each vendor and a variety of management reports (e.g. driver absenteeism, vehicle service records) .
  • the ground transportation reservation system of the invention also allows for the automated dispatching of vehicles to provide the requested ground transportation services.
  • the automated dispatching may be used to dispatch vehicles to fulfill ground transportation requests that were the subject of advance reservations and ground transportation service requests made on the spot.
  • a vendor of ground transportation services 12 may opt to have its vehicles dispatched by the ground transportation reservation system server 10.
  • the server 10 assigns vehicles to fulfill ground transportation service requests 30 based on a number of variables including, for example, the following: start location, number of legs of trip, end location, expected duration of trip, weather, road and traffic conditions that may effect the duration of the trip, vehicle preference and alternative vehicle preference, current availability of vendor's vehicles, availability of vendor's vehicles in the near future, availability of vendor's vehicles for the duration of the trip and start location of upcoming scheduled reservations for the vehicle.
  • system wide or localized problems can be accounted for. For example, a system wide problem like snowfall that would effect all ground transportation services in a particular region on a particular day would be taken into account by the server
  • the communication of dispatching instructions to drivers of the vendor's 12 vehicles by the server 10 may occur through the use of any suitable telecommunication technology, for example, radio, beepers, telephones and message displays. Once instructions are dispatched, the ground transportation reservation system server 10 monitors the progress of the vehicle's fulfillment of the ground transportation services request.
  • FIG 8 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention and, in particular, automated dispatching in accordance with the invention.
  • Ground transportation service requests are processed in accordance with Figure 2 as discussed in detail above.
  • the ground transportation reservation system server 10 identifies vehicles available at the start time of the reservation or that will be available shortly before or after the start time of reservation ("nearly available vehicles") for dispatch to fulfill a ground transportation service request 140.
  • Available vehicles are vehicles that are not currently occupied by a passenger.
  • a nearly available vehicle is a vehicle that is currently occupied by a passenger but that will arrive at the passenger's end location shortly such that the vehicle will no longer be occupied.
  • the available and nearly available vehicles can be limited to vehicles of one vendor where, for example, only one vendor in a particular location uses automated dispatching of the invention. Where more than one vendor uses automated dispatching, all available and nearly available vehicles of the vendors subscribing to automated dispatching of the invention can be identified.
  • the server 10 then assigns 142 a vehicle to fulfill the request for ground transportation services.
  • Factors that the server 10 takes into account to assign a vehicle include, for example, the following: the proximity of an available or nearly available vehicle to the start location, the vehicle availability for the duration of the trip and the proximity of the end location to the start location of the next reservation that the vehicle is scheduled to fulfill.
  • the coordinates of the vehicle and start location may be determined for example, through the use of a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) .
  • GPS Global Positioning Satellite
  • a vehicle is then dispatched by the server to fulfill the request for ground transportation 144.
  • Vehicles may be equipped with message displays that allow the server 10 to communicate directly with the vehicle. Alternatively, a radio or telephone call may be placed to the driver of the vehicle to communicate dispatching information.
  • FIGS 9 and 10 are computer screen displays for an embodiment of the ground transportation reservation system of the invention. Those screen displays facilitate automatic dispatching according to the invention.
  • a screen display similar to 0 that shown in Figure 5 can be provided to enable the vendor 12 and provider to monitor usage of the vendor' s vehicles to facilitate automated dispatching.
  • Figure 9 has three windows 160, 162, 164.
  • the windows 160, 162, 164 can be viewed simultaneously as 5 shown in Figure 9 or in isolation on demand.
  • window 162 partially obscures window 160.
  • Window 160 displays "open reservations", i.e. reservations waiting to be assigned to vehicles for fulfillment.
  • Window 160 shows, for example, a reservation 0 number 166, the passenger's vehicle preference 168 and a start time for the requested ground transportation service 170.
  • Window 162 displays assets (i.e. , vehicles) available to fulfill requests for ground transportation 5 services.
  • Window 162 shows, for example, a driver identification 172, vehicle type 174, a clear location 176 (i.e. the location where the vehicle is or will be available upon drop-off of a passenger) , the time clear 178 (i.e. the time where the vehicle is or will be 0 available upon drop-off of a passenger) , and the length of driver's workday 180 (to prevent over burdening drivers) .
  • Window 164 displays assets (i.e. vehicles) assigned to fulfill particular requests for ground 5 transportation services.
  • Window 164 for example, shows a reservation number 182, a driver identification 184, a vehicle type 186, status of the fulfillment of the ground transportation service request 190, a clear location 192, the time clear 194, the length of the driver's workday 196, "Time In” 198 (i.e. the time the vehicle returned to the garage after fulfilling the ground transportation service request) , and "Time Left” 200 (i.e. the time the vehicle left the garage to fulfill the ground transportation service request) .
  • assets i.e. vehicles assigned to fulfill particular requests for ground 5 transportation services.
  • Window 164 for example, shows a reservation number 182, a driver identification 184, a vehicle type 186, status of the fulfillment of the ground transportation service request 190, a clear location 192, the time clear 194, the length of the driver's workday 196, "Time In” 198 (i.e. the time the vehicle returned to the garage after fulfilling the
  • windows 160, 162 and 164 could contain various types of information, such as that set forth above to facilitate dispatching of vehicles.
  • Windows 160, 162 and 164 can be designed such that upon opening the window, additional information is displayed.
  • an open reservation shown in window 160
  • the open reservation is automatically deleted from window 160
  • the asset available is automatically deleted from window 162
  • the asset assigned to fulfill the ground transportation service request automatically appears in window 164. That can be done with human intervention, for example, by a dispatcher assigning an asset available to the open reservation by clicking on the asset available and open reservation.
  • ground transportation reservation system of the invention can be done automatically by the ground transportation reservation system of the invention, such that the screen display of Figure 9 is available to the vendor and provider to monitor progress of automated dispatching.
  • ground transportation service requests that have been assigned to assets can be manually cancelled by activation of a "Cancel Selected Assignment" button 202 on the screen display. Upon cancellation, the assignment is automatically deleted from window 164, the reservation automatically appears in open reservation window 160 and asset automatically appears in assets available window 162.
  • Figure 10 displays vehicle identification numbers 210 across its top and time 212 across its side.
  • Darkened bars 214 denote vehicles that are occupied by passengers and thus unavailable to accept ground transportation service requests.
  • Shaded bars 216 denote vehicles on route to fulfill ground transportation service requests. For example, at 8:15 a.m., vehicle S501 is on route to pickup a passenger, vehicles S503 and S504 are occupied by a passenger and unavailable, and vehicles S502 and L305 are unoccupied and available to fulfill ground transportation requests.
  • Icon 220 indicates that vehicle L304 is out of service for necessary repairs.
  • additional information pops-up on the screen display as the cursor is moved across the screen. For example, the location, driver and start time of the ground transportation service request being fulfilled by vehicle S504 from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. as shown at 218.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système informatisé et automatisé (10) de réservation de services de transports terrestres reliant des vendeurs de services (12) de transports terrestres à des agents vendant des services (16) de transports terrestres. Les demandes (30) de réservation de services de transports terrestres sont reçues en provenance des agents (16) et sont distribuées aux vendeurs (12) pour qu'il y soit satisfait par l'intermédiaire du système (10) de réservation de transports terrestres de l'invention. Les disponibilités des vendeurs (12) leur permettant de satisfaire les demandes de services (30) de transports terrestres sont mises à jour par les vendeurs respectifs (12) sur un système informatique situé chez lesdits vendeurs. Selon un mode de réalisation préférée, des 'commutateurs' (82), sur l'écran de visualisation du système informatique de chaque vendeur, indiquent les disponibilités de chacun, lesquelles disponibilités sont 'répercutées' sur une mémoire d'un serveur (10) de système de réservations de transports terrestres de sorte que le serveur (10) peut effectuer des réservations dès que les demandes (30) sont reçues en provenance des agents. La présente invention concerne également la distribution et la facturation automatisées par l'intermédiaire du système (10) de réservation de transports terrestres.
PCT/US1997/019202 1996-10-23 1997-10-23 Systeme de reservation de transports WO1998018096A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU49164/97A AU4916497A (en) 1996-10-23 1997-10-23 Transportation reservation system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/736,408 1996-10-23
US73640896A 1996-10-24 1996-10-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998018096A1 WO1998018096A1 (fr) 1998-04-30
WO1998018096A9 true WO1998018096A9 (fr) 1998-09-03

Family

ID=24959744

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/019202 WO1998018096A1 (fr) 1996-10-23 1997-10-23 Systeme de reservation de transports

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4916497A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998018096A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19839525C1 (de) * 1998-08-29 2000-04-13 Daimler Chrysler Ag Mobilitätsdienstesystem
FR2805632B1 (fr) * 2000-02-24 2003-10-03 Regroupement De Taxis S N G T Procede de commande de prestations de transport a la demande, notamment de reservation de courses de taxis
GB0004887D0 (en) 2000-03-01 2000-04-19 Astrazeneca Uk Ltd Chemical compounds
KR100392445B1 (ko) * 2000-06-05 2003-07-22 조근식 전자상거래에서의 역경매를 이용한 지능형 사이버 물류시스템 및 방법
KR20020013295A (ko) * 2000-08-14 2002-02-20 강문선 화물 운송 전자 상거래 방법 및 시스템
GB2381884A (en) 2001-07-16 2003-05-14 Pablo D Cappellini A search engine of flexibly-defined paths applicable to the search of transportation-related routes
US6721745B2 (en) * 2001-08-21 2004-04-13 General Electric Company Method and system for facilitating retrieval of report information in a data management system

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3665397A (en) * 1970-06-08 1972-05-23 Minicars Inc Automobile rental system
US4788643A (en) * 1983-08-29 1988-11-29 Trippe Kenneth A B Cruise information and booking data processing system
US5021953A (en) * 1988-01-06 1991-06-04 Travelmation Corporation Trip planner optimizing travel itinerary selection conforming to individualized travel policies
US5122959A (en) * 1988-10-28 1992-06-16 Automated Dispatch Services, Inc. Transportation dispatch and delivery tracking system
US5237499A (en) * 1991-11-12 1993-08-17 Garback Brent J Computer travel planning system
US5570283A (en) * 1994-11-18 1996-10-29 Travelnet, Inc. Corporate travel controller

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8229773B2 (en) Method and apparatus for the sale of airline-specified flight tickets
KR100814895B1 (ko) 항공회사 여행 일정들을 예약하기 위한 컴퓨터-구현시스템 및 방법
AU783416B2 (en) Traveler service system with a graphical user interface for accessing multiple travel suppliers
US8306834B1 (en) Bounce back method, system and apparatus
US20030036928A1 (en) Must fly
US20070192229A1 (en) Transaction management system and method
US20060020496A1 (en) Process for scheduling charter transportation
US20090313077A1 (en) Consumer initiated, service provider direct dispatching system
US20100106608A1 (en) Method for Completing and Storing an Electronic Rental Agreement
US20020072938A1 (en) Ground transportation internet reservation system
US20080189148A1 (en) Ground transportation booking
US20030233311A1 (en) Method and system for providing goods and/or services
WO2004013733A2 (fr) Procede, systeme et appareil permettant d'assurer des services de transport
US20090204547A1 (en) Transaction management system and method
AU4831800A (en) Ticket tracking and refunding system and method
WO2009058117A1 (fr) Procédé et système pour fournir un service de transport
WO1998018096A9 (fr) Systeme de reservation de transports
WO1998018096A1 (fr) Systeme de reservation de transports
CN113379084A (zh) 一种机票改期方法及机票改期装置
JP2002117486A (ja) タクシー呼出しシステム
Suen et al. Computerised dispatching for shared‐ride taxi operations in Canada