Travel value index

• US 7,305,356 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amadeus North America Incorporated (Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Amadeus Americas Incorporated (Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A.)
• Inventors: Rodon, Lincoln
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor; Gerald J.
• Application Number:
  US09/865,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20030050846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,384 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/5, 705/6, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.62
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy

Abstract

Method and system are disclosed for assigning a relative value to a search result based on the personal preferences of the consumer. A consumer profile may be created for each consumer. The profile may contain the consumer'"'"'s personal preferences for each one of the search criteria. A search value index may be derived for the search results based on the preferences in the consumer profile. The search value index may indicate to the consumer the value of a particular search result relative to other search results. Search results satisfying a consumer defined threshold may be retained, while the rest may be discarded.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating selection of travel itineraries, comprising:

selecting one or more travel criteria;

allowing a traveler to define traveler preferences associated with said travel criteria and storing said traveler preferences in a traveler profile;

deriving preference factors including a lowest fare multiplier, an available dates index, a non-stop service index, and an equipment type index for said travel criteria based on said traveler preferences;

initiating a query of at least one travel information database for itineraries matching said selected travel criteria using an on-line search engine;

calculating a travel value index for each itinerary using a travel value algorithm that subtracts preference factors from, or adds preference factors to, or both, a fixed optimal value of said travel value index depending on said criteria matching itineraries; and

returning only itineraries where said travel value index thereof satisfies a traveler defined travel value index threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising canceling before final completion of said query any itineraries that cannot satisfy said traveler defined threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said travel value algorithm is defined in a manner such that an optimal value for said travel value index is approximately 100 percent.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps of selecting, allowing, deriving, and initiating are performed over the Internet using a Web browser.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising allowing said traveler to modify said traveler preferences in real time over the Internet using said Web browser and repeating said deriving, initiating, calculating, and returning based on modified preferences.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the traveler preferences include preferences involving fare, availability, service type, and equipment type.