Internet-based computer travel planning system
First Claim
1. A method of managing travel within a sponsoring organization, comprising:
- receiving a travel request submitted for a group member of the sponsoring organization;
identifying travel information from at least one vendor authorized by the sponsoring organization, wherein the travel information includes financial rates previously established between the vendor and the sponsoring organization;
automatically comparing the identified travel information to alternative travel information, the alternative travel information including available financial rates offered through at least one alternative internet-based source; and
selecting travel information from the comparing step for reservation for the group member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer based system for processing travel requests directed to a specific venue from individual members of a sponsored group, such as a corporation or governmental entity. The system comprises a database containing a venue file including information regarding the specific venue, a group member file for each individual member of the group, a travel policy file containing information on preselected vendors of various travel services, and a city code file containing codes corresponding to a plurality of city airport locations. Data is entered and information displayed to an individual group member making a travel request, either for travel as an individual or as part of a group, via a terminal, such as a personal computer. A central processing unit is in communication with a plurality of travel booking websites via the Internet. The CPU is programmed to select an individual group member itinerary for the specific venue which includes specific airline flights, and if necessary, specific hotel accommodations and specific rental car services.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing travel within a sponsoring organization, comprising:
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receiving a travel request submitted for a group member of the sponsoring organization;
identifying travel information from at least one vendor authorized by the sponsoring organization, wherein the travel information includes financial rates previously established between the vendor and the sponsoring organization;
automatically comparing the identified travel information to alternative travel information, the alternative travel information including available financial rates offered through at least one alternative internet-based source; and
selecting travel information from the comparing step for reservation for the group member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for managing travel within a sponsoring organization, comprising a computer configured to:
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process a travel request inputted for a group member of the sponsoring organization;
access a database containing identified travel information from at least one vendor authorized by the sponsoring organization in response to the inputted travel request, wherein the travel information includes financial rates previously established between the vendor and the sponsoring organization;
compare the identified travel information to alternative travel information, the alternative travel information including available financial rates offered through an alternative internet-based source;
select travel information based upon the comparison for reservation for the group member; and
reserve a travel itinerary over the internet for the group member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A machine readable program containing instructions for controlling a device for managing travel within a sponsoring organization, comprising:
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means for receiving a travel request submitted for a group member of the sponsoring organization;
means for identifying travel information from at least one vendor authorized by the sponsoring organization, wherein the travel information includes financial rates previously established between the vendor and the sponsoring organization;
means for automatically comparing the identified travel information to alternative travel information, the alternative travel information including available financial rates offered through at least one alternative internet-based source; and
means for selecting travel information from the comparison for reservation for the group member.
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20. The machine readable program of 19, wherein the program is configured to automatically reserve a travel itinerary over the internet for the group member.
Specification