System and method for real-time, personalized, dynamic, interactive voice services for travel availability information

• US 7,881,443 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microstrategy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Microstrategy Incorporated
• Inventors: Orolin, Nicolas J., Saylor, Michael J., Richards, Frederick III, Langseth, Justin, Zirngibl, Michael, Patnaik, Anurag
• Primary Examiner(s): SING, SIMON P
• Application Number:
  US10/440,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20030194065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,815 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379 8811- 8814, 379/88.16, 379/88.17, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.27, 379/88.29, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/201.03, 379/207.02, 379/93.12, 379/88.18, 37926501-26606, 379/917, 709/275, 709/258, 709/260, 709/270, 705 5- 9
• US Class Current: 379/88.16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/105 Financial transactions and auctions, e.g. bidding auctioneering devices in packet switching networks H04L12/1804
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1058 Shopping and product ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1066 Game playing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/355 Interactive dialogue design tools, features or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42136 Administration or customisation of services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 : via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 : Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 : Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 : Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 : Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 : comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 : in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 : Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 : Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53375 : Message broadcasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal

Abstract

System and methods for real-time, interactive transmission of information about travel schedules and creation of travel schedules are provided. A user defines desired travel parameters, such as dates, times, costs and the like related to a travel component. Travel components are reviewed to determine if traveler parameters are triggered. If a travel component triggers traveler parameters, options for other travel components may be determined. A user may be contacted and communicated information about the travel component and options, thereby allowing a user to interactively create a travel schedule.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automated service system for providing airline flight information to a service subscriber, comprising:

providing at least one service that can output airline flight information;

enabling at least one subscriber to subscribe to the at least one service and establish at least one airline flight-related parameter relating to a prospective airline travel itinerary that the at least one subscriber may wish to create;

initiating, by the automated service system, an outbound communication to establish an automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber in response to the automated service system determining at least one airline flight component that satisfies the at least one airline flight-related parameter;

delivering, to the at least one subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, airline flight information including the at least one airline flight component satisfying the at least one airline flight-related parameter; and

enabling the at least one subscriber to interact with the automated service system and to use the delivered airline flight information to create an airline travel itinerary during the automated interactive communication session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises at least one of a date or a date range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a destination.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a specific company.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises at least one of discount applicability, cost, or availability of a vacation package.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a type of travel, the type of travel comprising at least one of required travel, leisure travel, or spur of the moment travel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a plurality of airline flight-related parameters, and further comprising enabling a subscriber to assign relative weights to the plurality of airline flight-related parameters based on their importance to the subscriber.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system search for airline flight components that satisfy the at least one airline flight-related parameter.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a subscriber to specify a duration of a search for airline flight components that satisfy the at least one airline flight-related parameter.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system initiate the automated interactive communication session to deliver the airline flight information including the at least one airline flight component satisfying the at least one airline-flight related parameter.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated interactive communication session comprises an automated telephone communication that the automated service system automatically initiates in response to determining the at least one airline flight component that satisfies the at least one airline flight-related parameter.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated service system determining the at least one airline flight component further comprises the automated service system determining at least one travel component relating to the at least one airline flight component.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one subscriber to further interact with the automated service system to modify the airline travel itinerary subsequent to the at least one subscriber creating the airline travel itinerary during the automated interactive communication session.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated service system comprises an automated call server configured to automatically initiate the outbound communication to establish the automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber, deliver the airline flight information to the at least one subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, and interact with the at least one subscriber to create the airline travel itinerary during the automated interactive communication session.

15. An automated service system for providing airline flight information to a service subscriber, comprising:

means for providing at least one service that can output airline flight information;

means for enabling at least one subscriber to subscribe to the at least one service and establish at least one airline flight-related parameter relating to a prospective airline travel itinerary that the at least one subscriber may wish to create;

means for initiating, by the automated service system, an outbound communication to establish an automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber in response to the automated service system determining at least one airline flight component that satisfies the at least one airline flight-related parameter;

means for delivering, to the at least one subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, airline flight information including the at least one airline flight component satisfying the at least one airline flight-related parameter; and

means for enabling the at least one subscriber to interact with the automated service system and to use the delivered airline flight information to create an airline travel itinerary during the automated interactive communication session.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises at least one of a date or a date range.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a destination.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a specific company.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises at least one of discount applicability, cost, or availability of a vacation package.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a type of travel, the type of travel comprising at least one of required travel, leisure travel, or spur of the moment travel.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one airline flight-related parameter comprises a plurality of airline flight-related parameters, and further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to assign relative weights to the plurality of airline flight-related parameters based on their importance to the subscriber.

22. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system search for airline flight components that satisfy the at least one airline flight-related parameter.

23. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to specify a duration of a search for airline flight components that satisfy the at least one airline flight-related parameter.

24. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system initiate the automated interactive communication session to deliver the airline flight information including the at least one airline flight component satisfying the at least one airline-flight related parameter.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the automated interactive communication session comprises an automated telephone communication that the automated service system automatically initiates in response to determining the at least one airline flight component that satisfies the at least one airline flight-related parameter.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein the automated service system determining the at least one airline flight component further comprises the automated service system determining at least one travel component relating to the at least one airline flight component.

27. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for enabling the at least one subscriber to further interact with the automated service system to modify the airline travel itinerary subsequent to the at least one subscriber creating the airline travel itinerary during the automated interactive communication session.

28. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for initiating the outbound communication to establish the automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber, the means for delivering the airline flight information to the at least one subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, and the means for enabling the at least one subscriber to interact with the automated service system to create the airline travel itinerary during the automated interactive communication session comprises an automated call server at the automated service system.

29. A method for operating an automated service system for providing travel information to a service subscriber, comprising:

providing at least one service that can output travel information;

enabling at least one subscriber to subscribe to the at least one service and establish at least one traveler parameter relating to a prospective travel schedule that the at least one subscriber may wish to create;

initiating, by the automated service system, an outbound communication to establish an automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber in response to the automated service system determining at least one travel component that satisfies the at least one traveler parameter;

delivering, to the at least subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, travel information including the at least one travel component satisfying the traveler parameter; and

enabling the at least one subscriber to interact with the automated service system and to use the delivered travel information to create a travel schedule during the automated interactive communication session, the travel schedule comprising at least one of an airline flight, a rental car reservation, or a room reservation.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises at least one of a date or a date range.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a destination.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a specific company.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises at least one of discount applicability, cost, or availability of a vacation package.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a type of travel, the type of travel comprising at least one of required travel, leisure travel, or spur of the moment travel.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a plurality of traveler parameters, and further comprising enabling a subscriber to assign relative weights to the plurality of traveler parameters based on their importance to the subscriber.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system search for travel components that satisfy the at least one traveler parameter.

37. The method of claim 29, further comprising enabling a subscriber to specify a duration of a search for travel components that satisfy the at least one traveler parameter.

38. The method of claim 29, further comprising enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system initiate the automated interactive communication session to deliver the travel information including the at least one travel component satisfying the at least one traveler parameter.

39. The method of claim 29, wherein the automated interactive communication session comprises an automated telephone communication that the automated service system automatically initiates in response to determining the at least one travel component that satisfies the at least one traveler parameter.

40. The method of claim 29, wherein the automated service system determining the at least one travel component further comprises the automated service system determining at least one other travel component relating to the at least one travel component.

41. The method of claim 29, further comprising enabling the at least one subscriber to further interact with the automated service system to modify the travel schedule subsequent to the at least one subscriber creating the travel schedule during the automated interactive communication session.

42. The method of claim 29, wherein the automated service system comprises an automated call server configured to automatically initiate the outbound communication to establish the automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber, deliver the travel information to the at least one subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, and interact with the at least one subscriber to create the travel schedule during the automated interactive communication session.

43. An automated service system for providing travel information to a service subscriber, comprising:

means for providing at least one service that can output travel information;

means for enabling at least one subscriber to subscribe to the at least one service and establish at least one traveler parameter relating to a prospective travel schedule that the at least one subscriber may wish to create;

means for initiating, by the automated service system, an outbound communication to establish an automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber in response to the automated service system determining at least one travel component that satisfies the at least one traveler parameter;

means for delivering, to the at least subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, travel information including the at least one travel component satisfying the traveler parameter; and

means for enabling the at least one subscriber to interact with the automated service system and to use the delivered travel information to create a travel schedule during the automated interactive communication session, the travel schedule comprising at least one of an airline flight, a rental car reservation, or a room reservation.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises at least one of a date or a date range.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a destination.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a specific company.

47. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises at least one of discount applicability, cost, or availability of a vacation package.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a type of travel, the type of travel comprising at least one of required travel, leisure travel, or spur of the moment travel.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein the at least one traveler parameter comprises a plurality of traveler parameters, and further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to assign relative weights to the plurality of traveler parameters based on their importance to the subscriber.

50. The system of claim 43, further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system search for travel components that satisfy the at least one traveler parameter.

51. The system of claim 43, further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to specify a duration of a search for travel components that satisfy the at least one traveler parameter.

52. The system of claim 43, further comprising means for enabling a subscriber to specify a schedule that defines when to have the automated service system initiate the automated interactive communication session to deliver the travel information including the at least one travel component satisfying the at least one traveler parameter.

53. The system of claim 43, wherein the automated interactive communication session comprises an automated telephone communication that the automated service system automatically initiates in response to determining the at least one travel component that satisfies the at least one traveler parameter.

54. The system of claim 43, wherein the automated service system determining the at least one travel component further comprises the service system determining at least one other travel component relating to the at least one travel component.

55. The system of claim 43, further comprising means for enabling the at least one subscriber to further interact with the automated service system to modify the travel schedule subsequent to the at least one subscriber creating the travel schedule during the automated interactive communication session.

56. The system of claim 43, wherein the means for initiating the outbound communication to establish the automated interactive communication session with the at least one subscriber, the means for delivering the travel information to the at least one subscriber during the automated interactive communication session, and the means for enabling the at least one subscriber to interact with the automated service system to create the travel schedule during the automated interactive communication session comprises an automated call server at the automated service system.