System and method for processing trip requests
First Claim
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1. A method of identifying a traveler in a trip request, comprising the steps of:
- connecting, using a connection, to a plurality of global distribution systems (GDS), travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites such that the plurality of travel counselors have access to the travel vendor databases and the plurality of GDSs, wherein the connection is accomplished via a frame relay network having hubsites and using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone and multiple redundant data centers;
wherein the connection further includes a translation server configured to communicate natively with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites;
wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites via at least one of (i) XML, (ii) a native application programming interface (API), and (iii) an open standard alliance;
wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with each of the hubsites;
receiving the trip request, using the connection, via email;
parsing, by a trip module, the trip request to obtain trip request data;
selecting, using the trip module comprising a processor and a data store, among GDSs for the trip request, using the connection, based upon a comparison of a prior trip request and a contractual requirement, wherein said contractual requirement is embodied in a configuration item;
storing, in said data store of said trip module, the selected GDS;
receiving, via the connection, the trip request with traveler information;
displaying, via the connection, the traveler information in a screen pop;
collecting caller information from a caller;
comparing the traveler information to the caller information to update the traveler information;
verifying that the trip request is fulfilled without modification;
confirming that compliance is achieved with a negotiated contract; and
processing a second trip request, using the trip module, based upon said selected GDS and said contractual requirement.
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Abstract
A system and method for planning trips and for processing trip requests that utilizes a centralized network for facilitating travel reservations and/or services. The system includes multi-purpose point of service terminals that provide a plurality of modules for various travel related applications such as an integrated e-mail booking module, a computer telephony integration module, a super passenger name record database, a customer database, a trip planning module, a customer relationship management module, a workflow module, and a low fare search module.
156 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of identifying a traveler in a trip request, comprising the steps of:
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connecting, using a connection, to a plurality of global distribution systems (GDS), travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites such that the plurality of travel counselors have access to the travel vendor databases and the plurality of GDSs, wherein the connection is accomplished via a frame relay network having hubsites and using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone and multiple redundant data centers; wherein the connection further includes a translation server configured to communicate natively with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites; wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites via at least one of (i) XML, (ii) a native application programming interface (API), and (iii) an open standard alliance; wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with each of the hubsites; receiving the trip request, using the connection, via email; parsing, by a trip module, the trip request to obtain trip request data; selecting, using the trip module comprising a processor and a data store, among GDSs for the trip request, using the connection, based upon a comparison of a prior trip request and a contractual requirement, wherein said contractual requirement is embodied in a configuration item; storing, in said data store of said trip module, the selected GDS; receiving, via the connection, the trip request with traveler information; displaying, via the connection, the traveler information in a screen pop; collecting caller information from a caller; comparing the traveler information to the caller information to update the traveler information; verifying that the trip request is fulfilled without modification; confirming that compliance is achieved with a negotiated contract; and processing a second trip request, using the trip module, based upon said selected GDS and said contractual requirement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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16. A tangible computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions that, if executed by a computing device, cause said computing device to perform a method comprising:
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connecting to a plurality of global distribution systems (GDS), travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites such that the plurality of travel counselors have access to the travel vendor databases and the plurality of GDSs, wherein the connection is accomplished via a frame relay network having hubsites and using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone and multiple redundant data centers; wherein the connection further includes a translation server configured to communicate natively with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites; wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites via at least one of;
(i) XML, (ii) a native application programming interface (API), and (iii) an open standard alliance;wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with each of the hubsites; receiving the trip request, using the connection, via email; parsing, by a trip module, the trip request to obtain trip request data; selecting, using the trip module comprising a processor and a data store, among GDSs for the trip request, using the connection, based upon a comparison of a prior trip request and a contractual requirement, wherein said contractual requirement is embodied in a configuration item; storing, in said data store of said trip module, the selected GDS; receiving, via the connection, the trip request with traveler information; displaying, via the connection, the traveler information in a screen pop; collecting caller information from a caller; comparing the traveler information to the caller information; verifying that the trip request is fulfilled without modification; confirming that compliance is achieved with a negotiated contract; and processing a second trip request, using the trip module, based upon said selected GDS and said contractual requirement.
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Specification