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Method and apparatus for dynamic information connection search engine

  • US 7,349,894 B2
  • Filed: 07/30/2004
  • Issued: 03/25/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A search method implemented by a programmed computer system, comprising:

  • populating a database in a server system with reduction information, wherein the reduction information comprises a plurality of data elements, and;

    a) wherein the plurality of data elements comprise a correlation between;

    (i) at least three distinct suppliers of travel services; and

    (ii) a plurality of travel service locations; and

    b) wherein the server system is located remotely from each of at least three distinct supplier sites, each of the supplier sites being associated with a respective one of each of the suppliers;

    inputing a query from a user regarding a desired travel itinerary;

    a) wherein the query includes at least a location and a date associated with the desired travel itinerary; and

    b) wherein the user is located remotely from the server system and the user is in communication with the server system using a network connection;

    extracting query information based on the input from the user;

    reducing at the server system at least three supplier sites identified in the database to automatically generate a pruned list of at least two supplier sites by comparing a portion of the extracted query information related to the location associated with the desired travel itinerary with the data elements and removing at least one supplier site identified in the database that does not provide travel services for the location associated with the desired travel itinerary, wherein the pruned list consists of a subset of the at least three supplier sites identified in the database;

    searching automatically at least two supplier sites from the pruned list for availability of travel services based at least in part upon a portion of the extracted query information related to the date associated with the desired travel itinerary, wherein the searching is performed via a network connection;

    obtaining, by the server system, search results of travel services for the location and date that are available at the time of the search from the at least two supplier sites in the pruned list;

    filtering the search results to select at least a portion of the search results; and

    presenting at least a portion of the selected search results to the user.

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