TOURISM INFORMATION AND RESERVATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract: An interactive remote reservation or ordering system interactively allows reservations to be made or orders to be placed from a first location (e.g. the home or office) with any one of a large number of providers of goods and/or services (e.g. shops, hotels and guesthouses, airlines) at other locations. The system comprises: (a) means for generating a standard format request form and for enabling the form to be completed at, and transmitted in electronic form from, the home, the completed form including an identification of a particular guesthouse and the starting date, duration and nature of accommodation required; (b) dialling means for dialling the guesthouse identified in the request form; (c) electronic storage means for storing a menu of spoken messages which separately or in combination correspond to the service which may be requested by means of the request form; and (d) control means for receiving the completed request form, recognizing the guesthouse identified in the form, dialling the guesthouse, recognizing the service identified in the form, causing the electronic storage means to generate a corresponding voice message to be transmitted to the dialled guesthouse, and for recognizing an electronically transmitted response and relaying same to the home.

Description: TOURISM INFORMATION AND RESERVATION SYSTEM AND METHOD Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a Tourism Information and Reservation System for distributing tourism and leisure information. Background Art Currently travel and leisure information is distributed principally through brochures, books or travel agents. When one wants to book or reserve a service one must visit the travel agent or book the service by phone. Typically only the larger/chain hotels are electronically bookable. Summary of the Invention The invention is set forth in the appended claims. The Global Integrated System allows direct electronic reservation of tourism and leisure services. In particular the conversion of an electronic booking/reservation request into an automated telephone call makes all service providers electronically bookable provided they have a touchtone phone. The system breaks the language barrier in that a user can make a booking request in his/her own native language (e.g. English) and the request is automatically translated into the native language of the requested provider (e.g. French). The system can be applied to all destination services (e.g. golf courses, theatre, lodging etc.). This invention concerns a new method of electronically reserving the service in real-time. Tour operators or home users or travel agents wishing to view and reserve a tourism service (such as a lodging) will interface with the system from a personal computer or other interactive device. They will be able to see multimedia information regarding a particular service, request information on the service rates and then book or reserve the service in real-time. The tourism information will be distributed to the system users on-line or through media such as CD-ROM's. Typically a user will be connected to the Tourism Information and Reservation System through a local communications connection (e.g. PSTN, ISDN, ATM, Isochronous Internet etc.) and will be connected to the system using the Internet or via on-line carriers such as Microsoft Network. The system will contain both static and dynamic information regarding a particular tourism service. When one wants to reserve a service the system will directly connect one to a reservation system for the particular service (the reservation system may be located on the systems main nodes or at the service source) . Contrast with Existing Tourism Information and Reservation Systems The system will differ significantly from existing tourist information and reservation systems currently used by travel agents. A first major difference is the very easy-to-use interface. Typically a user of a Global Distribution System (GDS) , such as the Trade Mark "Galileo" needs to attend a training course and needs to understand different codes to interact with the system and make reservations. The system in accordance with the present invention is very easy to use and a user requires no formal training other than to be familiar with the worldwide web interface and/or an on-line network interface such as the Microsoft network or CompuServe. A second difference is that the system is at least an order of magnitude cheaper to connect to than the current GDSs. It is costly for both suppliers and travel agents to connect to the existing GDSs. Except for large hotel chains or resource providers it is prohibitively expensive to connect to these systems and have a resource distributed electronically. The proposed system makes it possible for even the simplest "bed and breakfast" or hostel to be connected so that their information is distributed and enables electronic reservations. Thus small business can now compete with large business. Thirdly typically travel agents use expensive dedicated leased lines to connect to existing GDSs. The system of the invention can be accessed by a cheap local dial-up connection. Some GDSs now allow dial-up connections but to use the system special client software is required which must be copied onto the users local computer. The system of the invention requires no application specific software to run on the user's system. Users only need the standard WWW interface or interface from their local access provider. Fourthly the system of the invention gives users control of their travel arrangements, there is no bias in the system and users can develop their own integrated itinerary and are not reliant on a travel agent to make their reservations. It makes booking of travel and tourism resources much more freely available and will be responsible for disintermediation (i.e. eliminating the travel agent in a transaction). Because the user will be directly connected to the supplier the service being sold can be offered cheaper because there is no middle man to pay. Fifthly the system of the invention allows searches to be made by the user against certain criteria. The user can ask for all hotels in a particular price range or destination or can request a list of all restaurants within five miles of the hotel or all Italian restaurants within five miles of the hotel and can be given directions by way of map with the restaurants marked. Sixthly the system will allow a user to look at the weather forecast for a particular destination where this option is configured on the system of the invention. This service will be updated by either local or remote weather services via a system interface. Seventhly the system of the invention reduces the search costs and time for finding relevant tourism information. Because the user can see more information about a particular service he can make a more informed choice and purchase a service or resource which more suits his needs. With current GDS it is not possible to have high quality nested information available to a user to help him make his choice. Eighthly, when a user is making a booking abroad he need only make a local call using his computer rather than expensive international calls. The system of the invention simplifies and speeds up the process of booking a tourism service. It allows tourism service suppliers a new real-time distribution channel for marketing their services. It allows integration in real-time distribution channel for marketing their services. It allows integration in real-time of separate tourism services by a user into an integrated package. Its multilingual interface allows transactions to be completed seamlessly by people of different native tongues. It broadens the time and geographic reach of tourism products information and reservation. Typically GDS's only allow bookings to the larger/chain hotels and these hotels must pay a hefty subscription for same. The system of the invention offers a better service at a much cheaper price for all accommodations. The system allows the small supplier to perform real-time marketing of his/her service. If yields are low he/she can offer his/her resource/service at a reduced rate to ensure that the resource/service which typically has a very short shelf life is utilized. For example if a "bed and breakfast" has no bookings for a particular weekend it can change its rates to make it more attractive to customers for that specific weekend. Information is presented in a structured manner. Using integrated/embedded guides users are first presented with a high level summary regarding a particular type of service or resource. If they require more information they can download or jump to the next level of information where more detailed information is available. Having made a decision on a particular resource or service to buy they can then automatically reserve the service. As the resource/service is selected using the mouse or keyboard an electronic reservation form is presented to them. They fill this in and send it off. This system completes the transaction and a booking confirmation is returned over a period of time. The system at a high level can be used to control tourism flows in a particular region. Say for example in Ireland the Kerry region is full of tourists but the Donegal region is empty. The Irish tourist board could feature the Donegal area on the system and hopefully attract more to the Donegal region. Contrast with Other Home Interactive Systems e.g. Home Banking The proposed system offers an anywhere in the world service. A resource/service can be purchased anywhere in the world. The banking services provide access to an account allowing payment to other accounts which are local. The proposed system allows both booking and payment for services/resources across borders. Direct debit systems using a company bank account in each city or country allow local payments and weekly/monthly reconciliation saving on individual bank fees per transaction. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows the network architecture to provide the connection of suppliers directly to customers; Figure 2 shows the Internal Application Design; Figures 3 to 5 show graphics screens as seen by the user, further typescript screens are shown in Appendix C; and Figures 6 to 9 relate to Appendix A; and Figure 10 is an entity relationship diagram. Description of at least one way of Carrying out the Invention by Reference to the Drawings The step-by-step use of the system will now be described. 1. A user will log in from home and be able to choose a destination for which he/she wishes to obtain information. This information will be stored on a central computer which is in fact a large switch (Figure 3) . 2. The user can request all sorts of data (Figures 4, 5, Appendix C, Screen 1, Appendix C, Screen 2) regarding a destination by performing search operations on the database describing a particular destination. Based on the information provided the user can make a decision to reserve a particular service. 3. To do this the user selects an activate button on the screen and an electronic form is presented to him/her (Appendix C, Screen 3). 4. After typing in the relevant details this electronic form is sent to the central computer (Appendix C, Screen 4) which then switches the message to a remote server in the requested destination using a look-up table. 5. At the remote server the electronic message is decoded and the code number and booking details for the service is identified. The telephone number of the requested service is dialled. 6. In parallel the booking information is converted into a digital voice which interacts with the person or computer picking up the phone at the service supplier. 7. If the service is available the supplier indicates this using a pre-determined code. Availability, non-availability and booking confirmation information are all conveyed through touch tone codes. 8. The remote server terminates the telephone call when the transaction is completed and then inserts the result of the transaction into the previously received electronic form which is then sent back to the central computer. 9. At the central computer the electronic form is forwarded onto the original sender. This form will contain the booking confirmation (Appendix C, Screen 5) or indicate whether the booking was successful or unsuccessful and will give the booking confirmation number if the booking was successful. A booking cancellation form is shown in Appendix C, Screen 6. The multilingual service will be offered by using common data tables for storing information. Translation routines will be used to offer this information in the context of different languages. Thus a user can be presented with an electronic form in his/her native language e.g. German. He/she can fill this out in German. This electronic form will be mailed to the central server where a program will extract the relevant details and send them to the remote server. The remote server will be configured to speak to the supplier in the native language of the destination. The booking request will be executed and a reply returned to the central computer. Here again a program will act on the common table and the reply for the requesting user formatter in his/her native language. Hardware and Software Specifications The hardware used for a client of the Tourist Information and Reservation System could be as follows: 1 x Multimedia computer DX2486 66Mhz / i.e. Pentium Processor 8 MB Random Access Memory (RAM) 540 MB Hard Disk 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive Quad-speed CD-ROM drive Graphics accelerator card Sound Card and Dual external speakers 15" system Monitor Standard Extended Keyboard Mouse and Pad 1 x Internal 14,400bps Fax modem The software supplied for client operation of the Tourist Information and Reservation System is specified as follows: 1 x Windows 95 Operating System Windows Plus System Management The Microsoft Network Software Microsoft Office (includes, MS Word, MS Excel and MS Powerpoint) Microsoft Exchange, electronic mail management Microsoft Fax management Other items required are 1 x Microsoft Network Account or other on-line service provider account Typically client software may be required for travel professional use (e.g. Tour operator or travel agent). A home user or business traveller can access the system from their own PC without special client software (a www browser is sufficient). Application Architecture The VisIT System is a client server based application. The VisIT system architecture is both simultaneously centralized and geographically dispersed. The VisIT data will be stored in a hybrid object oriented relational database architecture. The underlying database to be used will conform to ANSI SQL standards and may be one of the following: Oracle Media Server; Postgres; Microsoft SQLServer; Sybase SQLServer; - Informix; Ingres; Matisse ADB Illustra etc. Dynamic resource information is stored on a central relational database. VisIT utilizes the existing communications infra-structure to facilitate the rapid access and ease of maintenance of the data stored in the VisIT database by application users. The design of VisIT facilitates the integration of tourist destinations, activities and services provided not only throughout Ireland but throughout the world. The dynamic resource data can be accessed in three ways: 1. Through a Windows based interface developed using Visual Basic and C++; 2. Through the World Wide Web using a FORMS based interface developed in HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language); or 3. Through an on-l ine i nterface. The system components are discussed below. The system architecture is shown in the figure below. The software which provides information and presents electronic forms to the users resides on the central on-line server. It is created using the standard on-line tools available from on-line service providers. Architecture Components Component name Description User Interface The user interfaces with the system from their pc which connects them to the VisIT server using a network and appropriate user interface. They can find a tourism service provider by browsing or querying a database on the VisIT server. They then fill out an electronic booking request which is presented by the VisIT server. VisIT server Contains destination content in a relational object oriented database (such as Postgress, Illustra, Matisse) running on a scalable server (such as Alpha or Pentium) running a multi-tasking system (eg Unix, NT). Also can contain end user interface for potential traveller or travel professional. Sends booking requests and receives booking reply from the internet touchtone server. The VisiT server sends a packet to the Internet Touchtone server detailing a booking request. Internet Touchtone server Receives booking requests from the VisIT server and converts these into automated telephone calls to a tourism service provider. Receives touchtone replies from the tourism service provider in response to requests issued. Send confirmation or rejection package back to VisIT server based on provider response. Sends confirmation fax, page or mobile message to the provider if request is successful. Runs on a standard PC (eg Pentium, 486 etc) running Dos or multitasking operating system. Contains voicecard which plays previously sample voice excerpts on command. Voice excerpts are integrated to deliver coherent request to provider. Tourism Service provider The tourism service provider interacts with the system using a touchtone phone. Based on a particular request they respond to the system by pressing a particular key on their touchtone phone, (eg pressing the key /one' will confirm a booking request). Confirmation of a booking can be sent by fax, page, mobile message or similar mechanism. Tourism service provers can put product availability on the system via a touchtone phone, fax, pc or other electronic mechanisms. Communicat ons User VisIT server Network, Internet, Intranet, ISDN, WWW, On-line network, frame relay, ATM etc VisIT Server Internet Touchtone server PSTN, ISDN, Internet, X25, Frame relay, ATM etc Internet Touchtone Tourism Service provider PSTN, Internet, paging server system, mobile messaging system VisIT Database Server The VisIT database server will be configured with the following software: TCP/IP, for INTERNET Access; The VisIT database application; A relational database such as SQLServer, Informix, Ingres or Postgres is recommended. A server is also required that is configured for access to the network. VisIT may utilise ODBC to communicate with a relational database. Theoretically, any relational database which supports ODBC could be used as the VisIT database. The minimum suggested configuration for a VisIT Server host is as follows: OTY 1 Deskside PC box (expandable) T TMM 1 1 XXpprreessss PPeennttiiuumm 9900nmHz Cpu Module (scalable) 4 16 MB SIMMS Module 1 SCSI Cable Internal 1 Raid Controller (dac controller) 6 2GB Seagate SCSI Disk Drives 1 32 EISA Ethernet Network Card 7 Drive Mounts 1 External SCSI Cable 1 HP 8-Gig DAT Drive Typically an introductory system might be a Dec Alpha 3000/300LX System with a 2GB harddrive. This platform should be scalable to allow additional computing capacity to be added as demand grows. VisIT Client Software Configuration The VisIT client PC will be configured with the following software: TCP/IP, to enable connecting to the database and for the INTERNET access; Network Browser software; and/or Windows Interface. Clients that connect to VisIT through the World Wide Web (WWW) use the HTTP . The WWW interface is developed using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) based forms. These forms use SQL (Structured Query Language) based queries to access the VisIT server database. WWW clients have the option to select a text or graphics based interface. The graphics based interface is slower than the text based interface as the graphics files must be downloaded to the WWW client. After the graphics files have been downloaded the application response time will increase dramatically for the remainder of the session as the graphic files will be stored locally in temporary files, which last for the duration of the user's current WWW session. Figure 2 illustrates a possible internal application design of VisIT. The VisIT application is to be developed using the following tools: C++; Visual Basic; Ay relational database such as SQLServer, Informix, Oracle, Ingres, Postgres; - HTML & CGI (Common Gateway Interface). The development of the application using Visual Basic and C++ will facilitate the porting of the application to different platforms including future 32 bit operating systems such as Windows '95. The central database will be access from the client PC's using ODBC & TCP/IP. Clients based on the World Wide Web will access the database server using forms created in HTML and CGI scripts stored on the WWW server. These CGI scripts are programs developed using C, SQL (Structured Query Language) calls and the SQLServer API (Application programming interface) to access the VisIT database. The document object controls all of the data associated with VisIT and handles the interface with the different types of WWW Browsers that could be used such as Netscape, Lynx etc. The view handles all of the user interface tasks. VisIT uses the concept of polymorphism to allow additional Browser objects to be created and inserted into the application with minimal code modifications. External Communications The architecture is platform independent and will run under both UNIX and Windows NT. Users will connect to the service using a combination of either: PSTN Dedicated Phone lines; Leased lines; - ISDN; ATM; Organisational INTERNET connectivity; Microsoft Service Network or other on-line service Users will connect to the VisIT system at a variety of speeds varying from 2,400 baud dialup connectivity to 45 Mbps ATM connectivity. Users will utilise common network browser software to access the system such as those provided by: Netscape; Compusery; America On-Line; Microsoft network; - or other on-line network. Network Architecture for On-Line Service An on-line network such as the Microsoft network can be implemented using a central database and a network of high capacity switches such as the Digital Gigaswitch product which has a capacity of 3.6 Gbytes per second. The gigaswitches are implemented using high speed ATM connections. Local connections to the network can be through PSTN line supporting speeds such as 14,400 bps or through other connections such as ISDN. The central computer could be a Digital alpha 8,400 server or scalable Pentium server. Addendum to Reservation System As well as having a touchtone interface to the suppliers the remote server can be configured to either be located at the suppliers premises or to connect to another computer of similar specification at the suppliers. This would enable all information and reservation transactions to be implemented using a PC interface. Thus there are a number of hybrid configuration for connection to the supplier. In summary these are: Remote server interfaces with supplier using telephone touchtone interface Remote server interfaces with supplier's PC using internet or a dialup connection Remote server is actually at supplier's premises Remote server interogates supplier's PC using an ODBC interface Supplier information is held on the central server and the supplier logs onto the central server to update this information Remote interface is part of an integrated resource management system such as a hotel management system which allows remote bookings of servers. Appendix A The Appendix gives a more detailed description of a system model specification. Appendix B The Appendix gives an example of a Booking Packet Specification. Appendix C The Appendix shows certain screens which are in typescript. APPENDIX A VisIT Server Database Specification Table Of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 2. SYSTEM MODEL SPECIFICATION 2.1 SYSTEM HIERARCHY 2.2 THE WELCOME PAGE 2_3 DESTINATION SELECTION 2.4 ACTIVITIES 2.5 ACΠVΠΎ SELECTED 2.6 THE DATA FLOW 2.7 THE REQUIRED INPUTS AND OUTPUTS BASED ON THE ACTIVITY SELECTED 3.0 ENTITY LISTING 4.0 INITIAL MANAGEMENT INTERFACE REQUIREMENTS APPENDIX A : DATABASE DEFINITION Table Of Figures FIGURE l. SYSTEM HIERARCHY. FIGURE 2 WELCOME SCREEN, FIGURE 3 SELECT DESTINATION SCREEN. FIGURE 4 ACTΓVΠΎ SELECTION SCREEN. FIGURE 5 E TΠΎ RELATION SHIP DIAGRAM 1. Introduction This document defines: • The system hierarchy (including the hidden data necessary to be passed in this version); • The format of the Internet based html screens; • The Activity based inputs and outputs; • The Entities; • The Management Interface. 2. System Model Specification 2.1 System Hierarchy (Figure 6) The configuration of the TourIT web site to be able to cope with multiple languages is a key part of the wide spread acceptance of the application by users. The users on the Main Welcome screen are able to select their preferred language option. The TourIT web site must also be able to cope with text based browsers. There are a number of levels in the system as defined in Figure 6. At each level in the system specific push button icon options will be available to the user underneath the TourIT web site logo The following Key Icons will be displayed on all screens as appropriate below The first six options will enable the user to select the appropriate activity based on the destination selected. Option 7 enables the user to enter a comment that will be automatically E ailed to the TourIT web site managers. Option 8 is used by all forms of service that we offer reservations for, and allows hotels etc. to request addition to the database As well as these icons the following Escape options should also be available at the different levels through out the TourIT web site options: Level 1. None Level 2. Change language[goto welcome page] Level 3. Level 2 + change locationfgoto map page] Level 4. Level 3 + change actrvity[goto activities page] Level 5. Level 4 + page dependency (e.g. electronic forms) 2.2 The Welcome Page (Figure 7 ) This page references the company details home page and it also references the TourIT web site details home page. The user selects a particular language and this then starts the application. 2.3 Destination Selection (Fi gure 8 ) This page will offer the first level of destinational hierarchy. This may be expanded as the service is expanded, but a limit of three levels will be placed to avoid a user getting frustrated. This page will also include a text based option to select destination, using a editable pull down box. 2.4 Activities (Fi gure 9) This page will offer a menu of activities subdivided as can be seen in Figure 9. These could also be listed in columnar fashion for that destination, using both standard TourIT icons (to be supplied), and text based linking. 2.5 Activity Selected Based on the activity selected a number of possible options can be selected. The following sections, The Dataflow section & The Required Inputs ωtd Outputs based on the Activity Selected section document the dataflows and the required inputs and outputs. 2.6 The Data Flow All of the data passed into and out of the following pages are hidden data. Where the next step is defined as "? Potential for bookings". This a place holder for a future option to make a reservation. The Top Levels: The Activity Selections: Title Entry Next Step Escape Options Data Passed Destination Overview Activities page Key Icons Level 4 language, location Destination Overview (button on activities page, with key ICONS included) atmosphere, architecture, history, differentiating features, must do's Transport Airport info., ferry info., bus, tram, train, taxi and car rental -current rates General information Overview, post, telephone, banks and currency, time/hours, holidays Sightseeing Top attractions Tours Local Tours, day trips, overnight excursions Music Traditional, local, Classical, Pop, Opera, Jazz and Blues, Rock Accommodation (pass hotel selection into form) Hotel lists - what you will pay for what type of hotel Children's activities Events, attractions Spectator sports List categories Activity Sports Golf, fishing etc. When to go/ What to bring Climate, type of clothes Restaurants List of Types (Family, budget, cafes, Local cuisine, local specialties, European cuisine, ethnic cuisine, American cuisine) - what you will pay for a meal Professional services Secretarial services, fax, overnight mail, messenger services, translation services, mobile phone and computer rentals Nightlife Pubs, clubs, casino, comedy 2.7 The Required Inputs and Outputs based on the Activity Selected The section defines the required inputs and outputs for each page at each level of the TourIT web site hierarchy. All input/output in italics is hidden. The Input Requirements column defines the relevant fields for query construction. The Output Requirements column defines the relevant fields for display as a result of the query. Each of the query option should contain an option to restrict the size of the matching result set, i.e. this determines whether or not 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 values are returned from the query. A default value should be preselected (probably 25). Preformatted output implies a previously created HTML based document that matches that search criteria. Each of the Output Pages resulting from a query should take the following format: • VisIT header on every page - includes logo + page title + Location + Language (e.g. VisIT transport booking ~ Dublin, English) • 8 main routing icons • The Escape Options • Multi - coloured divider line The Specific Results of the query in a left justified bulleted list or a number of columns. The choice here is dependant on the ease of viewing and use. Multi - coloured divider line Options (both routing icons and escape options) repeated at bottom of screen. 3.0 Entity listing The following entities are required to be defined. Some of these entities could be merged together if required. A high level ERD is showed in Figure 5. 1/ Destination Overview atmosphere, architecture, history, differentiating features, must do's 2/ Accommodation Hotel lists - what you will pay for what type of hotel 3 /Restaurants List of Types (Family, budget, cafes, Local cuisine, local specialties, European cuisine, ethnic cuisine, American cuisine) - what you will pay for a meal 4/ Transport 10 Airport inf., ferry info., bus, tram, train, taxi and car rental -current rates 5/ General information Overview, post, telephone, banks and currency, time/hours, holidays 6/Professional services Secretarial services, fax, overnight mail, messenger services, translation services, l~ mobile phone and computer rentals 7/Sightseeing Top attractions 8/ Tours Local Tours, day trips, overnight excursions 9/Nightlife pubs, clubs, casino, comedy 20 10 Entertainment Theatre, Musicals, Comedy, Dance 11/ Music Traditional, local, Classical, Pop, Opera, Jazz and Blues, Rock 12/ Shopping areas and specialty/special value products 25 13/Museums types 14/Children's activities Events, attractions 15/ Festivals & Exhibitions 16/ Spectator sports 30 list categories 17/ Sports golζ fishing etc. 18/ When to go/ What to bring climate, type of clothes 35 4.0 Initial Management Interface Requirements A management interface must be developed to maintain the above entities. The following functionality is required: 5 • General data management (i.e. addition and deletion of hotels, timetable adjustments etc.) to be done mainly by TourIT Ltd. • Hotel Group Management (i.e. where a hotel group can add it's own hotels within that group - password protected) • Ability to monitor all adjustments to the database (i.e. reports) by TourIT Ltd. , 0 • Provision of Server Statistics as demonstrated in initial meeting 15 0 5 0 5 Table: Accomodation Page: 1 Properties Date Created. 12Λ99S 1651:14 De . Updatabte- Yes Last Updated 13røS62Q-3? 73 Record Count- 0 Columns Destination Code Text SO Accomdation Code Text 50 Accomodation Type Text 50 Accomdation Grouping Text 50 Accomodation Name Text 50 Accomodation Addi Text 50 Accomodation Addr2 Text 50 Accomodation Addr3 Text 50 Accomodation Addr4 Text 50 Accomodation Add r5 Text 50 No of rooms Number (Double) 8 Std Single Pπce Currency 8 Std Double Pπce Currency 8 Std Twin Price Currency 8 Pπce Per person/ Per room Text 50 Clock Radio Yes No Bar Yes/No Pool (1 - indoor.2 out door) Yes/No Express Checkout Yes/No Night Porter Yes/No Business Centre Yes/No Golf course Yes/No Gym Yes/No Jacuzzi Yes/No Room Servtce Yes/No Safe in Room Yes/No Laundry services Yes/No Restaurant Yes/No Baby sitting Yes/No Television Yes/No TV with Cable Yes/No Iron Yes/No Trouser Press Yes/No Tea and Coffee Facitilies Yes/No Modem Facilities Yes/No Fridge Yes/No Accomdation home page Ted 200 Relationships Table. Accomodation Page: 2 Reference Attnbutes One to One, Not Enforced, Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Accomdation Grouping 1 Fields- Accomdation Grouping, Ascending Accomodation Type 1 Fields Accomodation Type, Ascending PπmaryKey Fields Accomdation Code, Ascending Table- Childrens Activities Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12 95 7-44-45 PM Def. Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12 95 7:52.25 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Activity Code Text 50 Activity Name Text 50 Site Location Text 50 Start Time Date/Time 8 Finish Time Date/Time Relationships Referenc-4 Destination Overview Childrens Activities Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Activity Code 1 Fields Activity Name Ascending Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Activity Code Ascending PrimaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Table Destination Overview Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/9544843 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 7 07 52 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Destination Name Text 50 Destination Overview HTML Page Text 200 Destination General HTML Page Text 200 Relationships Reference Destination Overview Accomodation Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforceσ Left Join Referencel Destination Overview Tours Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join ReferencelO Destination Overview Entertainment Destination Code - Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Referencel 1 Destination Overview Festivals Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join - 36 - Table Destination Overview Page 2 Referenced Destination Overview Music Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Reference13 Destination Overview Sports Destination Code ■ ' Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Referenced Destination Overview Sight Seeing Destination Code • > Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Refereπce15 Destination Overview Spectator Sports Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Reference2 Destination Overview Shopping Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Reference3 Destination Overview Restaurants Destination Code Destination Code I Attributes One to One, Not Enforced, Left Join Table Destination Overview Page 3 Refereπce4 Destination Overview Childrens Activities Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join References Destination Overview Museum Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Reference6 Destination Overview Night Life Destination Code — Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Reference? Destination Overview Transportation Destination Code - From Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join References Destination Overview Transportation Destination Code — To Destination Code Attnbutes One to One Not Enforced, Left Join Reference9 Attnbutes One to One, Not Enforced, Left Join Table Destination Overview Page 4 Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Destination Name, Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending Table: Entertainment Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12 95 7.50.50 PM Def. Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 7 51 35 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Type of Entertainment Text 50 Entertainment HTML Page Text 200 Entertainment Location Text 50 Opening time Date/Time 8 Closing time Date/Time 8 Relationships Reference O Destination Overview Entertainment Destination Code — Destination Code Attributes One to One, Not Enforced, Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Type of Entertainment Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending - 40 Table Festivals Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95743 02 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 74429 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Festival Name Text 50 Site Location Text 50 Festival Start Date Date/Time 8 Festival Finish Date Date/Time 8 Relationships Referencel 1 Destination Overview Festivals Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Festival Name Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code Ascendinα 41 Table- Museum Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/957:46:06 PM Def. Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12 957:47:08 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Museum Name Text 50 Museum HTML Page Text 200 Museum Location Text 50 MuseumType Text 50 Relationships Reference5 Destination Overview Museum Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields- Destination Code, Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Museum Name, Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Table Music Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95751 41 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 7 52 16 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Type of Music Text 50 Music HTML Page Text 200 Music Location Text 50 Opening time Date/Time 8 Closing time Date/Time 8 Relationships Referenced Destination Overview Music Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Type of Music Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending Table- Night Life Page- 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95 7-48 49 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 750 37 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Type of Night life Text 50 Nightlife HTML Page Text 200 Night life Location Text 50 Opening time Date/Time 8 Closing time Date/Time 8 Relationships Referenceβ Destination Overview Night Life Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Type of Night life, Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code Ascendind Table- Professional Services Page- 1 Properties Date Created 9/12957:36:24 PM Def. Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95748:28 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Service Name Text 50 Service HTML Page Text 200 Service Location Text 50 Relationships Referenceθ Destination Overview Professional Services Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Service Name, Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code. Ascendino Table Restaurants Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95 7 1246 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 7 32 18 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Restaurant Code Text 50 Restaurant Name Text 50 Restaurant Address 1 Text 50 Restaurant Address 2 Text 50 Restaurant Address 3 Text 50 Restaurant Address 4 Text 50 Restaurant Address 5 Text 50 Type of Food served Text 50 Average Meal Price Text 50 A LA Carte Yes/No 1 Restaurant HTML Page Text 200 Relationships Reference3 Destination Overview Restaurants Destination Code Destination Coαe Attnbutes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Restaurant Code Ascendinα Table Shopping Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/9572426 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 728 54 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Shop Code Text 50 Shop Type Text 50 Shop Opening time Mon Date/Time 8 Shop Closing time Mon Date/Time 8 Shop Opening time (Tues) Date/Time 8 Shop Closing time (Tues) Date/Time 8 Shop Opening time (Wed) Date/Time 8 Shop Closing time (Wed) Date/Time 8 Shop Opening time (Thurs) Date/Time 8 Shop Closing time (Thurs) Date/Time Shop Opening tιme(Frι) Date/Time Shop Closing time (Fπ) Date/Time 8 Shop Opening time ( Sat) Date/Time 8 Shop Closing time (Sat) DateTime 8 Shop Opening time (Sun) DateTime 8 Shop Closing time (Sun) DateTime 8 Shop Owner Text 50 Shop Chain Text 50 Shop Contact No Text 50 Relationships Reference2 Destination Overview Shopping Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Shop Code Ascending Table- Sight Seeing Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12 95 7.38:05 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95738:40 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Site Name Text 50 Site HTML Page Text 200 Site Location Text 50 Relationships Referenced Destination Overview Sight Seeing Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One. Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Site Name, Ascending PπmaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Table Spectator Sports Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95 7.5329 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/1295753 30 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Sport Code Text 50 SportType Text 50 Sport Starting time Date/Time 8 Sport Finishing time Date/Time 8 Sport Price Text 50 Sport Operator Text 50 Sport Operator Contact No Text 50 Sport HTML Page Text 50 Sport restrictions Text 250 Relationships Reference15 Destination Overview Spectator Sports Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascending PrimaryKey 1 Fields Sport Code Ascending Table Sports Page 1 Properties Date Created 9/12 95 7 3945 PM Def Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/957 54 11 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Sport Code Text 50 SportType Text 50 Starting time Date/Time 8 0 Finishing time Date/Time Price Text 50 Sport Operator Text 50 Sport Operator Contact No Text 50 Sport HTML Page Text 50 Relationships 15 Reference13 Destination Overview Sports Destination Code Destination Code jr. Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code Ascendinα ^ J PrimaryKey 1 Fields Sport Code Ascending 30 35 Table: Tours Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12 95 7:16:43 PM Def. Updatable. Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 7:20:21 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Tour Code Text 50 Tour Type Text 50 Tour Starting time Date/Time 8 Tour Finishing time Date/Time 8 Tour Price Text 50 Tour Operator Text 50 Tour Operator Contact No Text 50 Relationships Referencel Destination Overview Tours Destination Code Destination Code Attributes One to One Not Enforced Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code. Ascending PrimaryKey 1 Fields Tour Code, Ascending - 51 - Table Transportation Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95 5:00 05 PM Def. Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/957:35:03 PM Record Count 0 Columns From Destination Code Text 50 To Destination Code Text 50 Transport Code Text 50 Transport Type Text 50 Transport Pπce Text 50 Relationships Reference? Destination Overview Transportation Destination Code From Destination Code Attributes One to One, Not Enforced Left Join Referenceδ Destination Overview Transportation Destination Code To Destination Code Attributes- One to One, Not Enforced. Left Join Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields From Destination Code, Ascending PrimaryKey 1 Fields- Transport Code, Ascending To Destination Code 1 Fields: To Destination Code, Ascending Table' When to go Page: 1 Properties Date Created 9/12/95 7:54:29 PM Def. Updatable Yes Last Updated 9/12/95 7:55 44 PM Record Count 0 Columns Destination Code Text 50 Time of Year Text 50 Travel Options Text 200 Clothing Options Text 200 Wheather by Season Text 50 Table Indexes Name Number of Fields Destination Code 1 Fields Destination Code, Ascending Destination Name 1 Fields Time of Year, Ascending PrimaryKey 1 Fields Destination Code Ascendinα 53 - APPENDIX B Booking Packet Specification Some outline (proposed packet structures) All fixed length string fields have been used for simplicity, readability and ease of de-bugging - packet size and speed are not really a consideration here Booking Packet Booking number (.unique number assigned by Touπt). Customer Surname Customer Christian name Customer Title (Kir., Mrs., Dr., Rev, Prof etc ) Requested accommodation code (first choice of accommodation) Secondary accommodation code (optional second choice) Roomtype required (from secondary code file up to ten five rooms can be booked) Start date reqd (eg. 25JUN 6) Nights Required (eg. 02) Expected Nightly room rate (.eg £9000) - currency is indicated in the first character ) Credir Card >Jumber (.Full card (or account) number) Expiry Date (eg-02'96) Cardholder Name (Full name as it appears on the card) Reserved (reserved for future expansion) CR F (CR LF sequence for easy viewing of the queue in EDIT etc ) Response Packet. Booking number as stπng *10 (The Touπt booking number) Customer Surname as stπng * 25 (as a double-check) Accommodation code as string *8 (The code of the accepting hotel) Acceptance as string *1 ( Y is yes, anything else is a no) Reserved as string *1 0 (reserved for future expansion) CRLF as string *2 (CR/LF sequence for easy viewing of die queue in EDIT etc ) APPENDIX C Visit Accommodation Database - Microsoft Internet Explorer Visit Accommodation Database * Ashling Hotel . City Centre , 54 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , * Bewlev's Hotel . City Centre , 70 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , • The Central Hotel . City Centre , 70 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , * Grafton Plaza Hotel . City Centre , 75 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , * Jurvs Christchurch Inn . City Centre , 182 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , * Lonafields . City Centre , 26 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , * Roval Dublin Hotel . City Centre , 117 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , * Stephens Hall Hotel . City Centre , 37 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(3) , • Georgian House Hotel . City Centre , 47 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(2) , * Ormond Hotel . City Centre , 60 Bedrooms en suite , Stars(2) , * The Wellington Hotel . City Centre , 22 Bedrooms en suite , Problems, comments and questions should be addressed to support@kerna.ie Screen 1 Accommodation Details Hotel (Picture of Hotel ) The Central Hotel Cirv Centre Rates IR£ 47 00 to U 69.00 Stars: 3 70 Bedrooms en suite The Central Hotel In the Heart of Dublin City located close to all main shopping areas, entertainment venues and all leading International Restaurants. Provides Live Entertainment every evening * Reduction for children • Central heating • Elevator • Can be booked directly through Travel Agent or Dublin Tourism • Conference facilities • Direct dial from bedrooms • TV in bedrooms • Licensed to sell all alcoholic drink • A la carte meals. Visit Accommodation Database - Microsoft Internet Explorer Phone: (01) 679 7302 Fax: (01) 679 7303 Address 1-5 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. Book now support @kerna.ie Screen 2 VisIT Booking Form Please check Dublin Tourism's booking conditions Name: The Central Hotel Type: Hotel Tel: 6797302 (Picture of Hotel ) Credit Card Payment Details Name on Card | Martin Curley Card Number: : Card Type I Access Expires End: | August 1997 Billing Address Street. :i 21 Turret Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 City: Dublin Post/Zip code: '.20 Country. Ireland E-mail: jmartin@visit.ie — Should the premises booked request your credit card number to guarantee the ,— room, do you grant them authorisation ? Accommodation Requirements Arrival Date Number of Nights: No. of Adults Ages of each child (e.g. lyr) Screen 3 Visit - Microsoft Internet Explorer Number of Rooms: Double en-suite at £70.00 per night Single en-suite at £60.00 per night Twin en-suite at £70.00 per night Family room en-suite at £70.00 per night Single occupancy of double en-suite at £66.50 per night Personal Details Name as on Card? [> Yes IfNo, enter here Address as on Card? Yes Telephone ,35312886680 Fax (please include country' code in numbers) Any Other Information Do you have any additional requiremen s'' D Yes If yes. enter these details below If place test in the box below then the booking details onlv will be sent to Dublin Tourism We cannot automaticalh process a booking that has any additional requirements {Make Booking|| Reset all values Please check Dublin Tourism's booking conditions Screen 3 (Cont/d) VisIT booking form result for customer Please check Dublin Tourism's bookinu conditions Martin Curley Your booking bas not yet been confirmed. The VisIT booking reference number is 6 We expect this to take no longer than 5 minutes from when you submitted the request. You can examine the status of your booking request using this jink Screen 4 VisIT booking result for customer Dean McGuinness Your booking has been confirmed. The reference Number for the booking is 97. The booking has been confirmed based on the following details. Name : Dean McGuinness Accommodation : TourIT Hotel beginning 25MAY96 for 5 nights Cancel Booking Change Booking Screen 5 Booking Cancellation Form You are requesting that Booking Reference: 97, be cancelled. Please enter the following information to allow your request to be validated: Name: CardNumber: Expiry Date: Screen 6

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An interactive remote reservation or ordering system to interactively allow reservations to be made or orders to be placed from a first location (e.g. the home or office) with any one of a large number of providers of goods and/or services at other remote locations (e.g. shops, hotels and guesthouses, airlines), comprising: (a) means for generating a standard format request form and for enabling the form to be completed at, and transmitted in electronic form from, said first location, the completed form including an identification of a particular provider of goods or services (e.g. a particular guesthouse) and/or an identification of the goods or services required (e.g. the starting date, duration and nature of accommodation required); (b) dialling means for dialling a goods or service provider identified in the request form or identified as providing the goods or services requi ed; (c) electronic storage means for storing a menu of spoken messages which separately or in combination correspond to the goods or services which may be requested by means of the request form; and (d) control means for receiving the completed request form, recognizing the goods or service provider and/or the goods or services identified in the form, causing the electronic storage means to generate a corresponding voice message to be transmitted to the goods or service provider dialled via the dialling means, and for recognizing electronically transmitted responses, interpreting responses, and providing same at said first location. 2. The system of Claim 1 wherein said electronic storage means is for storing a menu of spoken messages in a plurality of languages and said control means is operable to select a language appropriate to the goods or service provider. 3. The system of Claim 1 wherein said dialling means, electronic storage means and control means is at a control location remote from said first location and from some or all of said providers at other locations. 4. The system of Claim 1 including further electronic storage means at said control location for storing dynamic information relating to and provided by individual service providers (e.g. the number of rooms still vacant tomorrow night in a guest house), said further electronic storage means being accessible from said first location on a read only basis, and allocated segments of said electronic storage means being accessible to said individual service providers on a write basis. 5. The system of Claim 1 wherein said control means is adapted to recognize an incoming signal generated at a touch tone telephone at a service provider. 6. The system of Claim 1 including still further electronic storage means at said control location for storing static and dynamic information (e.g. street maps and weather forecasts) provided by a system manager, said still further electronic storage means being accessible from said first location on a read only basis, and said still further electronic storage means being accessible to said system manager on a write basis. 7. An interactive remote reservation or ordering method for interactively allowing reservations to be made or orders to be placed from a first location (e.g. the home or office) with any one of a large number of providers of goods and/or services at other remote locations (e.g. shops, hotels and guesthouses, airlines), comprising the steps of: (a) generating a standard format request form, completing the form, transmitting the form in electronic form from said first location, the completed form including an identification of a particular provider of goods or services (e.g. a particular guesthouse) and/or an identification of the goods or services required (e.g. the starting date, duration and nature of accommodation required); (b) dialling, via dialling means, a goods or service provider identified in the request form or identified as providing the goods or services required; (c) storing, in electronic storage means, a menu of spoken messages which separately or in combination correspond to the goods or services which may be requested by means of the request form; and (d) receiving, at control means, the completed request form, recognizing the goods or service provider and/or the goods or services identified in the form, causing the electronic storage means to generate a corresponding voice message to be transmitted to the goods or service provider dialled via the dialling means, and recognizing electronically transmitted responses, interpreting responses, and providing same at said first location.

Inventors: CURLEY MARTIN, CURLEY, MARTIN
Applicants: CURLEY MARTIN, CURLEY, MARTIN
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06Q10