System for Facilitating Travel Related Transactions
First Claim
1. A method, operable on a central server computer operated by a travel provider that is coupled to a global computer network, for executing travel transactions, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving, at the central server computer from a remote computer via the global computer network, at least one packet including a parameter describing a travel-related object and a conditional offer for purchase of the travel-related object made by a user;
(b) storing the conditional offer in a database on a computer-readable memory associated with the central server;
(c) at a selected time, generating at least one target criteria for the travel-related object;
(d) comparing the conditional offer stored in the database to the target criteria;
(e) transmitting to the remote computer a communication of a time-limited offer specifying a time period within which the offer may be accepted, corresponding to the conditional offer for the travel-related object via the global computer network, only when the conditional offer meets the target criteria; and
(f) executing a transaction in which the travel-related object is transferred to the user only when a communication indicating an acceptance by the user is received at the central server computer within the time period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a method for executing travel transactions, at least one packet is received at a central server from a remote computer. The travel packet includes a parameter describing a travel-related object and a conditional offer for purchase of the travel-related object made by a user. At a selected time, at least one target criteria for the travel-related object is generated. The conditional offer is compared to the target criteria. A communication of a time-limited offer specifying a time period within which the offer may be accepted, corresponding to the conditional offer, is transmitted to the remote computer via the global computer network only when the conditional offer meets the target criteria. A transaction is executed in which the travel-related object is transferred to the user only when a communication indicating an acceptance by the user is received at the central server computer within the time period.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method, operable on a central server computer operated by a travel provider that is coupled to a global computer network, for executing travel transactions, comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving, at the central server computer from a remote computer via the global computer network, at least one packet including a parameter describing a travel-related object and a conditional offer for purchase of the travel-related object made by a user; (b) storing the conditional offer in a database on a computer-readable memory associated with the central server; (c) at a selected time, generating at least one target criteria for the travel-related object; (d) comparing the conditional offer stored in the database to the target criteria; (e) transmitting to the remote computer a communication of a time-limited offer specifying a time period within which the offer may be accepted, corresponding to the conditional offer for the travel-related object via the global computer network, only when the conditional offer meets the target criteria; and (f) executing a transaction in which the travel-related object is transferred to the user only when a communication indicating an acceptance by the user is received at the central server computer within the time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A central server for executing travel transactions, operable by a travel provider and coupled to a global computer network, the central server comprising:
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(a) a processor; (b) a tangible computer-readable memory in data communication with the processor; and (c) a program, stored on the computer-readable memory and configured to instruct the processor to execute a set of instructions, including; (i) receive, at the central server computer from a remote computer via the global computer network, at least one packet including a parameter describing a travel-related object and a conditional offer for purchase of the travel-related object made by a user; (ii) store the conditional offer in a database on a computer-readable memory associated with the central server; (iii) at a selected time, generate at least one target criteria for the travel-related object; (iv) compare the conditional offer to the target criteria; (v) issue a time-limited offer specifying a time period within which the offer may be accepted, corresponding to the conditional offer for the travel-related object to the user via the global computer network only when the conditional offer meets the target criteria and transmit the time-limited offer to the remote computer; and (vi) execute a transaction in which the travel-related object is transferred to the user only when an acceptance by the user is received at the central server computer within the time period. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification