Metasearch engine for ordering items returned in travel related search results using multiple queries on at least one host comprising a plurality of server devices

• US 8,239,451 B1
• Filed: 04/01/2012
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harvey Lunenfeld
• Original Assignee: Harvey Lunenfeld
• Inventors: Lunenfeld, Harvey
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B
• Application Number:
  US13/436,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20120191689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 128 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/17306 Intercommunication techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

Process and system for metasearching on the Internet performed by a metasearch engine, comprising: receiving an HTTP request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, the HTTP request associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item; sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host; receiving search results from the at least one host; incorporating the received search results into a response; communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device; receiving another HTTP request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items; processing the order.

Claims

1. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(g) processing the order.

2. A hardware apparatus comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) a receiver receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item, the receiver further receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host, the receiver receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(b) a sender sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) an incorporator incorporating the received search results into a response;

(d) a communicator communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(e) a processor processing the order.

3. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(g) means for processing the order.

4. A hardware computer readable storage medium comprising a metasearch engine containing computer executable instructions for metasearching on the Internet, the instructions causing one or more computers to:

(a) receive a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) send the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receive search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporate the received search results into a response;

(e) communicate the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receive another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(g) process the order.

5. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

6. A hardware apparatus comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) a receiver receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item, the receiver further receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host, the receiver receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(b) a sender sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) an incorporator incorporating the received search results into a response;

(d) an advertiser causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(e) a communicator communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) a processor processing the order.

7. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

8. A hardware computer readable storage medium comprising a metasearch engine containing computer executable instructions for metasearching on the Internet, the instructions causing one or more computers to:

(a) receive a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) send the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receive search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporate the received search results into a response;

(e) cause at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicate the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receive another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(h) process the order.

9. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) processing the order.

10. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) means for processing the order.

11. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

12. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

13. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) processing the order.

14. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) means for processing the order.

15. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

16. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) means for causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

17. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

18. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

19. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

20. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) means for incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

21. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(g) processing the order.

22. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(g) means for processing the order.

23. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

24. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for at least one of the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

25. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) processing the order.

26. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) means for processing the order.

27. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

28. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

29. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) processing the order.

30. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(f) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(g) means for processing the order.

31. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

32. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) means for causing at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be displayed in the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

33. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

34. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a response;

(e) means for incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.

35. A process for metasearching on the Internet, wherein the steps of the process are performed by a metasearch engine executing on a hardware device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) processing the order.

36. A hardware system comprising a metasearch engine for metasearching on the Internet, the metasearch engine comprising:

(a) means for receiving a Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to at least one host that comprises a plurality of server devices that provide access to information to be searched, wherein the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device is associated with a plurality of travel related items that may be ordered comprising at least one airline ticket and at least one other type of travel related item from the group consisting of a hotel reservation and a car rental;

(b) means for sending the plurality of search queries to the at least one host in response to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol request received from the client device;

(c) means for receiving search results from the at least one host in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the at least one host;

(d) means for incorporating the received search results into a results list and incorporating the results list into a response;

(e) means for incorporating at least one universal resource locator link into the response;

(f) means for communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device, wherein the universal resource locator link causes at least one advertisement associated with at least a portion of the plurality of travel related items to be communicated to the client device;

(g) means for receiving another Hypertext Transfer Protocol request from the client device for placing an order for the plurality of travel related items;

(h) means for processing the order.