The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1996
Michael F. Lynch, Dallas, TX (US);
Jonathan A. Turner, Plano, TX (US);
Michael F. Lynch, Dallas, TX (US);
Jonathan A. Turner, Plano, TX (US);
Electronic Data Systems Corporation, Plano, TX (US);
Abstract
An automated pricing system () is provided. The system () obtains inventory information, specifying the rates and/or availability of a plurality of travel arrangements, from one or more computer reservation systems (). The inventory information is stored in a database () along with one or more portfolios of information (relating to a travel agency and each business entity customer of the travel agency) that can be used to discount the listed rates of the travel arrangements. In response to a specific travel itinerary from a customer, the system () automatically retrieves the inventory and/or discount information from the database () and determines the lowest-priced, available travel arrangements conforming to the itinerary. Consequently, a travel agent using the system () does not have to spend time manually determining the lowest-priced travel arrangements.