Inventory control process for reservation systems
First Claim
1. An inventory-control system for allocating items of inventory in an optimal manner, comprising:
- inventory comprising a plurality of different groups of inventory items, each said group having at least one inventory item therein, each said inventory item in each said group being uniquely characterized from an inventory item in another said group, each said inventory item having a first characteristic and a second characteristic, with one of said first and second characteristics thereof being equal to a characteristic of at least one other inventory item of at least one other said group;
a computer, said computer having memory means for storing therein information representative of said group of inventory items and each said inventory item in a respective said group;
said memory means comprising;
a first portion for storing therein data by said first and second characteristics of each said inventory item, said data being representative of the total maximum inventory of inventory items available for potential use;
a second portion for storing data therein by said first and second characteristics of each said inventory item, said data being representative of protected inventory items in said groups; and
first generating means for generating computer signals of said representative data of said first portion as a first matrix array of n rows by m columns, each said row defining a specific, unique said first characteristic and each said column defining a specific, unique said second characteristic, the confluence therebetween representing the maximum potentially available said inventory items for the specific said group;
second generating means for generating computer signals of said representative data of said second portion as a second matrix array of n rows and m columns, each said row defining a specific, unique said first characteristic and each said column defining a specific, unique said second characteristic, the confluence therebetween representing the blocked available inventory for the specific said group.
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Abstract
A reservations system for hotel chains in which matrix arrays defining maximum rooms for sale, protected inventory, and matrices derived from these two, all by room-type/rate-category combinations. The system provides for generalized control of inventory for sale for an arbitrary number of room-types, rate-categories, etc. The system also allows blocking or protecting inventory by rate-category, room-type, or any combination. The system of the invention allows for either a central or a distributed view of inventory, and allows inventory to be controlled by the property and sold at any location without over-selling. The system of the invention provides the level of control necessary to handle the four major inventory control strategies that the hotel industry will likely require over the next ten years: total control centrally, central indicators and distributed inventory, totally distributed inventory, or a mixed mode of operation utilizing any combination of central or distributed inventory. In each case, the system of the invention provide a common, effective and complete solution.
184 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An inventory-control system for allocating items of inventory in an optimal manner, comprising:
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inventory comprising a plurality of different groups of inventory items, each said group having at least one inventory item therein, each said inventory item in each said group being uniquely characterized from an inventory item in another said group, each said inventory item having a first characteristic and a second characteristic, with one of said first and second characteristics thereof being equal to a characteristic of at least one other inventory item of at least one other said group; a computer, said computer having memory means for storing therein information representative of said group of inventory items and each said inventory item in a respective said group; said memory means comprising; a first portion for storing therein data by said first and second characteristics of each said inventory item, said data being representative of the total maximum inventory of inventory items available for potential use; a second portion for storing data therein by said first and second characteristics of each said inventory item, said data being representative of protected inventory items in said groups; and first generating means for generating computer signals of said representative data of said first portion as a first matrix array of n rows by m columns, each said row defining a specific, unique said first characteristic and each said column defining a specific, unique said second characteristic, the confluence therebetween representing the maximum potentially available said inventory items for the specific said group; second generating means for generating computer signals of said representative data of said second portion as a second matrix array of n rows and m columns, each said row defining a specific, unique said first characteristic and each said column defining a specific, unique said second characteristic, the confluence therebetween representing the blocked available inventory for the specific said group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer method of allocating items of inventory in an optimal manner, comprising:
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(a) storing in computer memory data representative of said inventory items by first and second characteristics of each said inventory item, said data being representative of the total maximum inventory of inventory items available for potential use; (b) said step (a) comprising storing the data of said inventory items as a plurality of different groups of inventory items, each said group having at least one inventory item therein, each said inventory item in each said group being uniquely characterized from an inventory item in another said group, each said inventory item having a said first characteristic and a said second characteristic, with one of said first and second characteristics thereof being equal to a characteristic of at least one other inventory item of at least one other said group; (c) said step (b) comprising generating computer signals of said representative data of said step (a) as a first matrix array of n rows by m columns, each said row defining a specific, unique said first characteristic and each said column defining a specific, unique said second characteristic, the confluence therebetween representing the maximum potentially available said inventory items for the specific said group; (d) storing in computer memory data representative of said inventory items by said first and second characteristics of each said inventory item, said data being representative of protected inventory items in said groups; (e) said step (d) comprising storing the data of said inventory items as a plurality of different groups of inventory items, each said group having at least one inventory item therein, each said inventory item in each said group being uniquely characterized from an inventory item in another said group, each said inventory item having a first characteristic and a second characteristic, with one of said first and second characteristics thereof being equal to a characteristic of at least one other inventory item of at least one other said; (f) said step (e) comprising generating computer signals of said representative data of said step (d) as a first matrix array of n rows by m columns, each said row defining a specific, unique said first characteristic and each said column defining a specific, unique said second characteristic, the confluence therebetween representing the blocked available inventory for the specific said group. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification