Abstract:
A method and system for allocating temporary assignments of access to nonhomogeneous assets to a plurality of parties is provided. The assets are each designated as being of a certain type of at least two value types. Assets and asset access requests (“request”) are further designated as having one or more particular distinguishing features. The requests are generally ordered according to a value ranking The assets are then assigned by first assigning lower typed assets to the lower ranked requests. When all assets of a lower type are assigned, the remaining unassigned requests are assigned to unassigned assets of the next higher type. When all assets of the highest type are assigned, selected assets may be then reassigned to insure that higher valued requests are assigned to assets and permitting lower valued requests to (a.) be assigned to lower valued assets; or (b.) be unassigned and thereby denied.

Description:
CO-PENDING APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present Nonprovisional Patent Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/175,938 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPORARILY ASSIGNING ACCESS TO ASSETS IN RESPONSE TO RESERVATION REQUESTS” and filed on Feb. 7, 2014. The present Nonprovisional Patent Application claims the priority date of nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/1759,38. Furthermore, nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/175,938 is hereby incorporated into the present Nonprovisional Patent Application in its entirety and for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to methods and systems for assigning time-limited access to a plurality of assets among pluralities of parties. More particularly, the method of the present invention addresses the desire to more effectively assign and deny access to assets on the basis of pluralities of requests of distinguishable qualities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many well established business models are fundamentally organized around enabling access to, or usage or rental of, facilities and equipment on a time limited basis and/or an actual usage basis, such as the car rental sector and hotel and hospitality industries. In addition, many more industry and civic sectors are newly and increasingly influenced by the values of the sharing economy, wherein equipment, facilities, venues and services are preferably allocated on a time sliced basis whereby the need for purchase of duplicative equipment and materials is avoided. The prior art provides information technology systems that assist users in scheduling time-limited access to proprietary equipment and facilities, and commits the provision of attendant consumables in conjunction with agreements that specify reserving, renting, leasing, loaning, staging and positioning of specified venues, locales, objects, systems and machinery. Yet the prior art fails to enable a human system administrator to optimally review, adjust, finalize and approve commitments and possible denials of access to assets suggested by an information technology system which would have calculated and suggested one or more patterns of use and assignment of existing assets in order to optimize the fulfillment of existing reservation requests. 
         [0004]    In one aspect of the prior art, assets are often broadly categorized into types wherein certain features of the specific assets are neither recorded nor applied within an automated asset access assignment method. In another aspect of the prior art, preferences of aspects of assets that are especially desirable to individual requestors are neither accepted nor considered within an automated asset access assignment method. 
         [0005]    There is therefore a long felt and increasing need to provide improved systems and method that enable a sys admin to partially automate and personally intervene and modify assignments of asset access in view of a plurality of asset access reservation requests. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Toward these objects and other objects that are made obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, a method, system and device are provided that accept and analyze asset access requests and enable a human system administrator or other human operator of an information technology system (hereinafter, a “sys admin”) to thereafter modify, reject, accept and implement asset access reservations. The access may be or comprise permission or license to use, access or rent an equipment, service, facility or venue. 
         [0007]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
         [0008]    In a first aspect of the method of the present invention, a reservation system is established that records a plurality of assets of distinguishable and optionally with differing features, such as, and not limited to, printing press machinery, hotel rooms and automobiles. The reservation system preferably individually designates some or all of the assets as being of a particular type, class or level, wherein these distinctions by quality or genus are preferably hierarchically ordered. The reservation system may additionally and optionally maintain user records that associate individually identifiable persons, organizations or entities as (a.) having one a membership program status, (b.) being of a relative or absolute value or desirability level of customer retention, and/or (c.) having one or more particular asset feature preferences. 
         [0009]    The method of the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented method”) includes the aspects of associating an asset type to each reservation request, optionally including a null or default type, and the attempt to assign each reservation request to a plurality of assets in view of (a.) a requested time of access, use and/or rental, (b.) optionally a provided arbitrary or calculated value of the reservation request of interest; and (c.) availability of the assets in relation to requested times and/or time periods of requested access. The invented method further optionally include, after a completion of a process of assignments of assets in order from lowest type assets to higher or highest type assets to a plurality of reservation requests, an automated reassignment of assets to reservation requests in view of relative values of each of the plurality of reservation requests, wherein the reassignment process is made in order from higher or highest type of asset type to lower, lowest or default asset type. It is understood that the automated aspects of the invented method generate suggestions intended for review and modification by a sys admin and are generally adjustable by the sys admin. 
         [0010]    Assets that may be assigned within the objects of the method of the present invention include, but are not limited to, time constrained assets, time delineated services, hotel rooms, rental vehicles, venue seats, rights of event attendance, software licenses, access licenses, airplanes, airplane seats during a flight, event spaces, transportation capacity units, a service provider&#39;s time, and equipment of which access to or usage of is time constrained. It is understood that the scope of the meaning of the term “asset” as applied and defined in the present disclosure includes services, equipment, objects, venues, facilities, digitally stored data, documents, and time lengths of availability, access, usage, service and/or presence. 
         [0011]    According to yet another optional aspect of the invented method, a reservation request may include an indication of a desired feature of an asset, and an asset indicated as including the desired feature may be selectively assigned to the reservation request in recognition of the association of the desired asset feature with the relevant reservation request. A feature match is found to exist in the invented process when an asset is indicated to have or be associated with a quality, aspect or element that a matching reservation request indicates as being desirable to a requestor associated with the potentially matching reservation request. It is understood that a feature may be a negative state or quality, such as seeking an automobile with less than four doors or seeking a room not located within one hundred meters of a music venue. 
         [0012]    In one optional aspect of the invented method, assignments of assets are made in order from a lower or lowest rated asset quality level to a higher or highest rated asset quality level, wherein (a.) reservation requests are each associated with a predesignated quality level; (b.) assignments of reservation requests are made in an order of preference from the lowest valued reservation requests to the highest valued reservation requests with a plurality of assets of a same quality level in a one-to-one correspondence; (c.) when assets of a same quality level are associated with differing asset values, assets are assigned to reservation requests in order within the same quality level from the asset with the lowest associated asset value to the asset with the highest associated asset value; and (d.) when each asset of a same quality level is assigned to a reservation requests, some or all remaining unassigned reservation requests of that instant quality level or lower quality level are considered for assignment to a next higher quality level of assets. Optionally, feature fitting may be performed in accordance with the invented method, wherein a reservation request that specifies a preference for a particular asset feature directs the invented method to seek an asset that is designated as providing the requested feature for assignment to the instant reservation request. 
         [0013]    In accordance with yet another optional aspect of the invented method, assignments of assets to reservation requests are first made in order from lowest to highest quality level and then evaluated for reassignment in an order extending from highest quality level to lowest quality level. In a descending quality level process, assignments of assets are made in order of from a highest or higher asset quality level to a lower or lowest asset quality level, wherein (a.) assignments of reservation requests are made in an order of preference from the highest valued reservation requests to the lowest valued reservation requests within a plurality of assets of a same quality level in a one-to-one correspondence; (b.) when assets of a same quality level have differing asset values, assets are assigned to reservation requests in order within the same quality level from the asset with the lowest associated asset value to the asset with the highest associated asset value; and (c.) when each asset of a same quality level is assigned to a reservation requests, some or all remaining unassigned reservation requests of that instant quality level or lower quality level are considered for assignment to a next lower quality level of assets. 
         [0014]    In a still additional optional aspect of the invented method, the process of assigning and reassigning assets to reservation requests may be iteratively performed under different limitations and constraints. In addition, one or more reservation requests may be designated for denial of assignment to an asset. Denials of reservations are preferably determined after the denied reservation request has been considered for assignment to an asset in a process that included at least one ascent and subsequent descent through the asset quality levels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a representation of a software record that includes a listing of hotel rooms of a same hotel and associated counts of rooms by an assigned quality level of each room; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a representation of a first asset record related to a first hotel room; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a representation of a first reservation request related to a first hotel room reservation request message; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a process chart of the invented method; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a representation of optional aspects of step  4 . 04  of  FIG. 4 , wherein in a method of assigning reservation requests to asset records is accomplished in an ascending order of asset quality levels; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a representation of optional aspects of step  4 . 04  of  FIG. 4 , wherein in a method of assigning and reassigning reservation requests to asset records is accomplished in a descending order of asset quality levels; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a representation of optional aspects of steps  5 . 04  and  5 . 08  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a representation of optional aspects of steps  6 . 06  and  6 . 12  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an information technology system that may be applied to effect the methods of  FIG. 4 through 8  in interaction with a human operator; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the software resident in the information technology system of  FIG. 9  and that enables instantiation of the methods of  FIG. 4 through 8  in interaction with a human operator; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of aspects of several asset records of  FIG. 2  as stored in the data base management system of the information technology system of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of aspects of several reservation request records of  FIG. 3  as stored in the data base management system of the information technology system of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a representation of an equipment software record that includes a listing of vehicles, such as automobiles, of a rental agency and associated counts of vehicles by an assigned quality level of each vehicle; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a representation of a first equipment asset record related to a vehicle available for rent by the rental agency of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a representation of a first car rental request record related to a first car rental request message; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of aspects of several equipment records of  FIG. 14  as stored in the data base management system of the information technology system of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is an illustration of aspects of several car rental records of  FIG. 15  as stored in the data base management system of the information technology system of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is an illustration of an electronic communications network that bi-directionally communicatively couples the information technology system of  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  with reservation systems. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0035]    Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
         [0036]    Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
         [0037]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described. 
         [0038]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
         [0039]    While the present invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the techniques set forth in the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims. 
         [0040]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1 , the case of a hotel having a plurality of rooms of different features and quality levels is considered, wherein a hotel manager or management applies the invented method to aid in the assignment of room reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N to available rooms, i.e. asset records A.REC.ID. 01 -A.REC.ID.N by means of an information technology system  100 . 
         [0041]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 1  is a representation of a room quality level listing  102  (hereinafter “the listing”  102 ) stored within a software record  104  that is preferably stored in the information technology system  100  (hereinafter, “the system”  100 ), wherein each of five room quality levels L 0 -L 4  has a specified numerical count of available rooms. The listing  102  further presents that the associated hotel as including 50 rooms at the first quality level L 0 , 50 rooms at the second quality level L 1 , 50 rooms at the third quality level L 2 , 50 rooms at the fourth quality level L 3 , and 20 rooms at the fifth quality level L 4 . These asset quality level counts, e.g., a count of 50 at the first and lowest quality level L 0  and a count or 20 at the fifth and highest quality level of L 4 , of available rooms at each respective asset quality level L 0 -L 4  may be used in the invented method in one or more loops of assignments of reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N within each related quality level. 
         [0042]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary first asset record A.REC. 01  of a plurality of asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N that is additionally preferably stored in the system  100 . Each asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N preferably includes a unique asset record identifier A.REC.ID, a unique asset identifier A.ID that identifies an actually existing physical asset or virtual asset, an asset quality level designator AQL of the asset identified by the asset identifier A.ID of the same asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N, an optional asset value A.VALUE, optionally a request identifier R.ID of tentatively assigned reservation request REQ.ID. 01 -REQ.N, an associated time period or instance A.TIME, an assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U, an asset availability indicator IND.A/U, and/or one or more optional one or more optional requested asset feature identifiers A.FEAT. 01 -A.FEAT.N. It is understood that one or more elements of one or more asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may be blank or hold null values at, or within, one or more times or time periods of application of the invented method, e.g. when no reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N is assigned to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N, the unassigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may include a null or blank value in request data field reserved to store an assigned reservation request identifier REQ.ID. 
         [0043]    Each asset assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U, indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is currently assigned to a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. The asset assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the asset assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U is in a first binary state the asset assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U indicates that the comprising asset request A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is currently assigned to a single identified reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N, and alternately when the assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U is in a second binary state the assigned/unassigned flag FLAG.A/U indicates that the comprising asset request A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is currently not assigned to any reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0044]    An asset availability indicator IND.A/U indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available for automated assignment or reassignment to a record reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N in the process of  FIGS. 3  through  FIG. 8 . The asset availability indicator IND.A/U may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the asset availability indicator IND.A/U is in a first binary state the asset availability indicator IND.A/U indicates that the comprising asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available for assignment or reassignment by the system  100  to a reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N in an automated process and without further interaction by the system  100  with a human system administrator or other human operator of an information technology system (hereinafter, a “sys admin”), and alternately when the asset availability indicator IND.A/U is in an alternate second binary state the asset availability indicator IND.A/U indicates that the comprising asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is not available for assignment or reassignment to reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N by the system  100  in an automated process and without further interaction with the sys admin by the system  100 . 
         [0045]    It is understood that one or more asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may have none, one or more than one feature indicators AFEAT. 01 -N, wherein each unique feature indicator AFEAT. 01 -N associates a comprising asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N with a particular aspect, quality or element that is not generally included within asset records having a same asset quality level AQL. It is understood that the null feature value F.NULL represents a data field that does not record feature indicator AFEAT. 01 -N. 
         [0046]    In the invented method, an instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may be assigned to or with a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N by writing the asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N comprised within the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N into a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N, selected by the system  100  or a sys admin, to establish an assignment of the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N to the selected reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. Optionally an optional assigned/unassigned request indicator flag R.FLAG.A/U. 01 -R.FLAG.A/U.N of the selected reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N may be set to an indication of assigned. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, in the invented method the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may optionally be unassigned from a previously assigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N by erasing the as previously written asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N from the previously assigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. Optionally or additionally, an optional assigned/unassigned request indicator flag of R.FLAG.A/U. 01 -R.FLAG.A/U.N of the previously assigned reservation request record may be set to an indication of unassigned. 
         [0048]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates presents an exemplary first reservation request software record REQ. 01  of a plurality reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N. Each reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N preferably includes a request record identifier REQ.REC.ID, a unique reservation request identifier REQ.ID that uniquely identifies a request for use of a virtual or physical asset, an optional requestor client identifier CLIENT.ID that identifies a requesting client, an optional request source identifier SOURCE.ID that identifies an agency or a an electronic message sender from whom the comprising request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N was received or is identified as an originator of the comprising request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N, a request quality level value RQL. 01 -RQL.N (hereinafter “request quality level RQL”), a reservation request valuation REQV. 01 -REQ.N, an assigned/unassigned request flag RFLAG.A/U, an associated requested time REQ.TIME, optionally a tentatively assigned asset identifier A.ID, and/or one or more optional requested asset feature identifiers A.FEAT. 01 -A.FEAT.N. It is understood that the asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N held in one or more reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N may be a temporary assignment that may be overwritten within each comprising request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N with alternate asset identifiers A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N one or more times within the process of the invented method. It is understood that one or more elements of one or more reservation request software records REQ. 01 -REQ.N may be blank or hold null values at, or within, one or more times or time periods of application of the invented method, e.g. when no an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is assigned to a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N, the unassigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N may include a null or blank value in request software record data field reserved to store an assigned asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N. 
         [0049]    It is noted the exemplary first asset record A.REC. 01  and the exemplary first request record REQ. 01  have the same three feature identifiers A.FEAT. 01 , A.FEAT. 02  &amp; AFEAT. 06 . It is understood that a feature match may therefore be discovered between the first asset record A.REC. 01  and the exemplary first request record REQ. 01  by the invented system  100  in accordance with certain alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method. 
         [0050]    The inventive aspect of feature matching is not applied in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention. In addition, the inventive aspect of feature matching is applied by the system  100  as directed by the sys admin and/or by an automated determination by an applications software of the system  100 . 
         [0051]    Each assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U, indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is currently assigned to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. The assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U is in a first binary state the assigned/unassigned request R.FLAG.A/U indicates that the comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REC.N is currently assigned to a single identified asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N, and alternately when the assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U is in a second binary state the assigned/unassigned request R.FLAG.A/U indicates that the comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REC.N is currently assigned to a single identified asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N 
         [0052]    Each request availability indicator R.IND.A/U indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available for automated assignment or reassignment to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N in the process of  FIGS. 3  through  FIG. 8 . The request availability indicator R.IND.A/U may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U is in a first binary state the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U indicates that the comprising reservation record request REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available for assignment or reassignment by the system  100  in an automated process and without further interaction with by the system  100  with the sys admin, and alternately when the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U is in an alternate second binary state the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U indicates that the comprising reservation record request REQ. 01 -REQ.N is not available for assignment or reassignment to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N by the system  100  in an automated process and without further interaction with the sys admin. 
         [0053]    It is understood that one or more reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N may have none, one or more than one feature indicators AFEAT. 01 -N, wherein each unique feature indicator AFEAT. 01 -N associates a comprising reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N with a particular aspect, quality or element that is not generally included within asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. It is further understood that the null feature value F.NULL represents a data field that does not record feature indicator AFEAT. 01 -N. 
         [0054]    The process of assigning a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may include, or alternately consist of, writing a reservation request identifier REQ. 01 -REQ.N of the assigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N into the assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. 
         [0055]    The process of assigning an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N to a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N may include, or alternately consist of, writing an asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N of the assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N into the assigned reservation record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0056]    A reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N may be indicated as denied setting an internal request denied flag RD.FLAG. 01 -RDFLAG.N to a denied value, or i.e., a denied indication value. The request denied flag RD.FLAG may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the request denied flag RD.FLAG is in a first binary state request denied flag RD.FLAG indicates that the reservation request record REC. 01 -REC.N comprising the instant request denied RD.FLAG is an open state and available for assignment to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and alternately when the request denied flag RD.FLAG is in a second binary state request denied flag RD.FLAG indicates to the system  100  that the comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is denied and is not currently being considered for an assignment to any asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. The request denied flag RD.FLAG is preferably set by the sys admin at step  4 . 22 , or at a time subsequent to step  4 . 22 , of the process of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0057]    In the invented method, a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N may be assigned to or with an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N by writing the request identifier REQ.ID. 01 -REQ.ID.N comprised within the instant reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N into an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N, selected by the system  100  or a sys admin, to establish an assignment of the instant reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N to the selected asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. Optionally an optional assigned/unassigned asset indicator flag FLAG.A/U. 01 -FLAG.A/U.N of the selected asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may be set to an indication of assigned. 
         [0058]    Furthermore, in the invented method the instant reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N may optionally be unassigned to a previously assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N by erasing the request identifier REQ.ID. 01 -REQ.ID.N previously written into the previously assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N from this previously assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. Optionally or additionally, an optional assigned/unassigned asset indicator flag of FLAG.A/U. 01 -FLAG.A/U.N of the previously assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may be set to an indication of unassigned. 
         [0059]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a process chart of the first preferred embodiment of the invented method that may be effected by human interaction with the information technology system  100 . In the first method a plurality of reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N are received by the system  100  and tentatively or temporarily assigned and, often later reassigned, to individual hotel rooms, i.e., by writing to in selected asset identifiers A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N into reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N in an exclusive, one-to-one basis, associated with the hotel in a performance of a first preferred embodiment of the invented method. In step  4 . 02  the plurality of reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N are selected that specify a same requested time REQ.TIME, wherein each selected reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N preferably requests an assignment of a hotel room for guest access on a same day and/or within an overlapping time period that comprises, or is comprised within, a same asset time value A.TIME. In the loop of steps  4 . 04  through  4 . 08  a system  100 , as further discussed generally in the Figures and particularly  FIGS. 9 and 10 , attempts to uniquely assign a singular asset identifier A.ID. 01 -AD.N to each reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N on a one-to-one exclusive basis, wherein (a.) no asset identifier A.ID-A.ID.N is simultaneously comprised within or associated with more than one reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N or associated with more than one request identifier REQ.ID. 01 -REQ.ID.N; and (b.) no request identifier REQ.ID. 01 -REQ.ID.N is simultaneously comprised within or associated with more than one asset record A.REC. 01 -AREC.N or associated with more than one asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N. 
         [0060]    The system  100  selects a plurality of reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a same time value REQ.TIME. In step  4 . 02  and initiates assigning the selected plurality of reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N to available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having a matching time value A.TIME. 
         [0061]    The system  100  preferably makes these assignments of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and available reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N in step  4 . 04  on the basis of making temporary assignments of reservation requests records REQ. 01 -REQ.N to assets identifiers A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N first in ascending order of asset quality level values L 0 -L 4 , as denoted by asset quality levels AQL within each available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. 
         [0062]    When the system  100  determines in step  4 . 06 , as directed by the sys admin or by an automated determination process, whether to continue on to step  4 . 08  or alternatively to execute step  4 . 10 . In step  4 . 08  the selected plurality of reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N may reassign available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N in a descending asset quality value from L 4  to L 0  as denoted by asset quality levels within each available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. 
         [0063]    The assignments and reassignments of the selected plurality of reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N the plurality of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N of steps  4 . 04  and  4 . 08  may optionally include and attempt to match reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N with asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N that share one or more feature designators A.FEAT. 01 -A.FEAT.N, i.e., applying feature matching as an aspect of selectively assigning reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N to available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N on a one-to-one exclusive assignment basis. 
         [0064]    It is understood that one or more reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N may be tentatively reassigned in step  4 . 08  to an asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N to which the instant reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N had previously been assigned. 
         [0065]    In step  4 . 10  the system  100  determines whether any reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N remain unassigned, and if any available reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are determined to be unassigned, i.e., a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N that is not comprising an asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N, the system proceeds to step  4 . 12  and to determine whether remove or loosen assignment constraints as applied in the most recent execution of step  4 . 04 . A removing or loosening assignment constraints of step  4 . 12  might include (a.) setting the asset availability indicator IND.A/U. 01 -IND.A/U.N in one or more asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N from an unavailable indication to an available indication; (b.) setting the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U. 01 -RIND.A/U.N in one or more reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N from an unavailable indication to an available indication; (c.) ceasing or limiting attempts to feature match the feature designators A.FEAT. 01 -A.FEAT.N as associated with asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N; and/or (d.) other suitable methods of loosening or removing reservation and asset assignments known in the art. 
         [0066]    When the system  100  determines in step  4 . 12  that a previously applied constraint shall be removed, the system  100  (a.) optionally unassigns some or all previously assigned available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N by removing asset identifiers A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N from reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N and removing reservation request identifiers REQ.ID. 01 -REQ,ID.N from available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N; and (b.) proceeding onto a following execution of step  4 . 04 . 
         [0067]    In the alternative, when the system  100  determines in step  4 . 12  that a previously applied constraint shall not be removed, the system  100  proceeds onto step  4 . 14  and within each of the selected plurality of reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N of step  4 . 02  sets the reservation denied flag RD.FLAG into the denied indication state. The system  100  proceeds from step  4 . 14  to step  4 . 16  and reports to the sys admin, or makes access available to the sys admin, the resultant assignments of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N as determined in one or more executions of steps  4 . 04  and/or step  4 . 08 . 
         [0068]    The sys admin may elect in step  4 . 18  to proceed onto step  4 . 20  and therein to (a.) modify one or more, or all, of the current assignments resultant assignments of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N in step; (b.) cancel any or all resultant assignments of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N of step  4 . 16  by setting the reservation denied flag RD.FLAG of one or more reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N into the denied indication value; (c.) setting the asset availability indicator IND.A/U. 01 -IND.A/U.N in one or more asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N from an unavailable indication to an available indication; and/or (d.) setting the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U. 01 -R.IND.A/U.N in one or more reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N from an unavailable indication to an available indication. 
         [0069]    The sys admin directs the system  100  in step  4 . 22  to either (a.) proceed to step  4 . 04  and to perform an additional execution of steps  4 . 04  through  4 . 22 , i.e., reprocess and reassign the of the selected plurality of reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N of the most recent execution of step  4 . 02 , wherein the system  100  optionally unassigns some or all previously assigned available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N by removing asset identifiers A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N from reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N and removing reservation request identifiers REQ.ID. 01 -REQ,ID.N from available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N; or alternatively to step  4 . 24  and to apply the assignments available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N and reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N to actually assign, and enable access of assets to requestors. 
         [0070]    The system  100  proceeds from step  4 , 24  to step  4 . 26 , wherein the sys admin may direct the system  100  to either (a.) proceed to step  4 . 02  and to perform an additional execution of steps  4 . 02  through  4 . 22 ; or proceed onto perform additional or alternative computational and/or communication operations of step  4 . 28 . 
         [0071]    The inventive aspect of feature matching is not applied in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention in the process of  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 8 . In addition, the inventive aspect of feature matching is applied by the system  100  within the processes of  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 8  as directed by the sys admin and/or by an automated determination by an applications software of the system  100 . 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , optional aspects of steps  4 . 04  are presented. It is understood that the system  100  proceeds from either step  4 . 02  or step  4 . 22  to step  5 . 02 . 
         [0073]    In step  5 . 02  a level counter LC is set to a minimum level value L.MIN of, e.g. a numerical zero value. In step  5 . 04  each available unassigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a request quality level RQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN are considered for assignment to any available unassigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN, wherein the unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are assigned in a preferential, one-to-one order of from lowest request value REQV to highest request value REQV. The determination by the system  100  of whether an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is based on the availability status of the asset availability indicator IND.A/U included in the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the time of execution of step  5 . 04 . The determination by the system  100  of whether a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available is based on the availability status of the unavailable request indicator R.IND.A/U included in each reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N at the time of execution of step  5 . 04 . 
         [0074]    The assigning process continues until either (a.) all available unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a request quality level RQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN are assigned to an available asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN; or (b.) all available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN are uniquely assigned to a singular and distinguishable reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a request quality level RQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN. 
         [0075]    The system  100  proceeds from step  5 . 04  to step  5 . 06  and. to increment the loop counter value LC, and from step  5 . 06  to step  5 . 08 . 
         [0076]    In step  5 . 08 , each available unassigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a request quality level RQL equal to or less than the loop counter value LC is considered for assignment to any available unassigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC, wherein the unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are assigned in a preferential, one-to-one order of from lowest request value REQV to highest request value REQV. The determination by the system  100  of whether an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is based on the availability status of the asset availability indicator IND.A/U included in the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the time of execution of step  5 . 08 . The determination by the system  100  of whether a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available is based on the availability status of the unavailable request indicator R.IND.A/U included in each reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N at the time of execution of step  5 . 08 . 
         [0077]    The assigning process continues until either (a.) all available unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a request quality level RQL equal to or less than the loop counter value LC are assigned to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC; or (b.) all asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MIN are uniquely assigned to a singular and distinguishable reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N having a request quality level RQL equal to or less than the loop counter value of L.MIN. 
         [0078]    Each execution of the loop of steps  5 . 06  through  5 . 10  ends when the loop counter LC is found in an execution of step  5 . 10  to equal or exceed the L.MAX value, e.g., level  4  of the instant example, of the quality level room listing  102 , whereupon the system  100  proceeds from step  5 . 10  to step  4 . 06  of the process of Figure. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , optional aspects of step  4 . 08  of  FIG. 4  are presented. The system  100  proceeds from step  4 . 06  to step  6 . 02  as determined by an automated instruction and/or in response to direction by a sys admin. 
         [0080]    In step  6 . 02  the level counter LC is set to a maximum quality level value L.MAX, i.e., a numerical value of four in the instant example, and in step  6 . 04  all available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the maximum quality level value L.MAX are unassigned from any reservation requests record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0081]    In step  6 . 06 , each available unassigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is considered for assignment to any available unassigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value L.MAX, wherein the unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are assigned in a preferential, one-to-one order of from highest request value REQV to lowest request value REQV. The assigning process continues until either (a.) all available unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are assigned to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value L.MAX; or (b.) all available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value of L.MAX are uniquely assigned to a singular and distinguishable available reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0082]    The determination by the system  100  of whether an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is based on the availability status of the asset availability indicator IND.A/U included in the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the time of execution of step  6 . 06 . The determination by the system  100  of whether a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available is based on the availability status of the unavailable request indicator R.IND.A/U included in each reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N at the time of execution of step  6 . 06 . 
         [0083]    The system  100  proceeds from step  6 . 06  to step  6 . 08  and to decrement the loop counter LC and therefrom to step  6 . 10 . 
         [0084]    In step  6 . 10  all asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC are unassigned from any reservation requests record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0085]    In step  6 . 12 , each available previously unassigned reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is considered for assignment to any available unassigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC, wherein the unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are assigned in a preferential, one-to-one order of from highest request value REQV to lowest request value REQV. The assigning process continues until either (a.) all available unassigned reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N are assigned to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC; or (b.) all available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value of LC are uniquely assigned to a singular and distinguishable reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0086]    The determination by the system  100  of whether an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is based on the availability status of the asset availability indicator IND.A/U included in the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the time of execution of step  6 . 12 . The determination by the system  100  of whether a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available is based on the availability status of the unavailable request indicator R.IND.A/U included in each reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N at the time of execution of step . 6 . 12   
         [0087]    When the system determines in step  6 . 14  after an execution of step  6 . 12  that the loop counter value LC has achieved the lowest quality level, i.e. L.MIN, the system  100  proceeds on to step  4 . 10  of the process of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0088]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is a representation of optional aspects of steps  5 . 04  and  5 . 08  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0089]    In step  7 . 02  a maximum available an available asset loop counter ALC is set equal to number of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC. As stated previously, the determination by the system  100  of whether an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is based on the availability status of the asset availability indicator IND.A/U included in the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the time of execution of step  7 . 02 . 
         [0090]    The system  100  then loops through steps  7 . 04  through  7 . 22  until either (a.) no unassigned reservations requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N are found to be available in step  7 . 18 , i.e., the asset loop counter ALC has been decremented to a zero or lowest value; or (b.) the value of the asset loop counter ALC is found to be at or below a zero value or at a null level in an execution of step  7 . 20 , wherein the system  100  determines that there are no extant unassigned and available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the asset quality level AQL equal to the current value of the loop counter LC. As per step  7 . 04 , the available unassigned reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N having the lowest request value REQV is selected for assignment in the following execution of the loop of steps  7 . 04  through  7 . 22 . It is understood that the loop of steps  7 . 06  and  7 . 08  resolve conflicts of reservation record requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N having equal request values REQV by comparing an arbitrary numerical valuation of the instant reservation record identifiers REQ.REC.ID. 
         [0091]    In optional step  7 . 10  the system  100  determines whether or not to attempt to feature match the reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N selected in the lost recent execution of step  7 . 04  to an available unassigned asset record A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the current loop counter value LC. It is understood that in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method that steps  7 . 10  through  7 . 17  are not provided and that the system  100  simply proceeds from step  7 . 06  to step  7 . 14   
         [0092]    It is further understood that the optional steps  7 . 12  through  7 . 17  the system  100  selects and assign reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N alternatively on a possible determination of a feature match in step  7 . 12  between one or more requested asset features A.FEAT. 01 -A.FEAT.N of a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N and as noted in an available asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. When the system  100  determines in step  7 . 12  that there is a feature match can not be determined between the currently selected reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N as selected in the most recent execution of step  7 . 04  and any available asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the current loop counter value LC, the system proceeds from step  7 . 12  to step  7 . 18 . It is understood that when the system  100  proceeds from step  7 . 12  to step  7 . 18  without assigning the currently selected reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N as selected in the most recent execution of step  7 . 04 , that the instant reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N will not again be considered for assignment to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N in the current execution of the loop of steps  7 . 02  through  7 . 22 . 
         [0093]    In the alternative, when a feature match is determined in step  7 . 12 , the system  100  assigns the currently selected reservation request record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N to the feature matching asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having the lowest asset value A.VALUE. 01 -A.VALUE.N. 
         [0094]    In optional step  7 . 17 , the asset availability flag FLAG.A/U. 01 -FLAG.A/U.N of the asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N assigned in the most recent execution of step  7 . 16  and /or the request availability flag R.FLAG.A/U. 01 -R.FLAG.A/U.N of the reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N also assigned in the in the most recent execution of step  7 . 16  may be set to an unavailable indication. The settings of these availability flags FLAG.A/U. 01 -FLAG.A/U.N &amp; R.FLAG.A/U. 01 -R.FLAG.A/U.N may optionally inhibit the system  100  from unassigning or reassigning the comprising asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N or comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N respectively in future iterations of the process of  FIGS. 4 through 8  absent action by the system  100  or the sys admin in steps  4 . 12  and/ or  4 . 20 . 
         [0095]    In one example of a possible feature match finding by the system  100 , the exemplary first request record REQ. 01  is laden with the same three feature identifiers A.FEAT. 01 , A.FEAT. 02  &amp; AFEAT. 06  as the exemplary first asset record A.REC. 01 , whereby if these two records were available and unassigned at the time of execution of step  7 . 12 , the system  100  would assign the exemplary first request record REQ. 01  to the exemplary first asset record A.REC. 01  in step  7 . 16  if there were no lower valued available asset records A.REC. 02 -A.REC.N from the plurality of asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N selected in accordance with the method of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0096]    The determinations of steps  7 . 18  or step  7 . 20  may be made by the system  100  on an automated basis and/or in response to direction by a sys admin, whereby the system may proceed from either step  7 . 18  or step  7 . 20  to step  5 . 06  or  5 . 10  of the process of  FIG. 5 . The asset loop counter ALC is decremented in each execution of step  7 . 22 . 
         [0097]    It is understood that in an iteration of the method of  FIG. 7  wherein the system  100  proceeds from step  5 . 02  to step  7 . 02 , that the system  100  will exit the loop of step  7 . 02  to step  7 . 22  by proceeding to an execution of step  5 . 06 . It is further understood that in an iteration of the method of  FIG. 7  wherein the system  100  proceeds from step  5 . 06  to step  7 . 02 , that the system  100  will exit the loop of step  7 . 02  to step  7 . 22  by proceeding to an execution of step  5 . 10 . 
         [0098]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  is a representation of optional aspects of steps  6 . 06  and  6 . 12  of  FIG. 6 . In step  8 . 02  the maximum available asset loop counter ALC is set equal to number of available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N having an asset quality level AQL equal to the loop counter value LC. The determination of whether an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is based on the availability status of the asset availability indicator IND.A/U included in the instant asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the time of execution of step  7 . 02 . 
         [0099]    The system  100  after step  8 . 02  then loops through steps  8 . 04  through  8 . 18  until The value of the asset loop counter ALC is found to be at or below a zero or null level in an execution of step  8 . 16 , wherein the system  100  determines that there are no extant unassigned and available asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N at the asset quality level AQL equal to the current value of the loop counter LC. As per step  8 . 04 , the available unassigned reservation request REQ. 01 -REQ.N having the highest request value REQV is selected for assignment in the following execution of the loop of steps  8 . 04  through  8 . 18 . It is understood that the loop of steps  8 . 06  and  8 . 08  resolve conflicts of reservation record requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N having equal request values REQV by comparing an arbitrary numerical valuation of the instant reservation record identifiers REQ.REC.ID. 
         [0100]    It is further understood that the optional steps  8 . 13 ,  8 . 14  and  8 . 15  select and assign reservation requests REQ. 01 -REQ.N alternatively on a determination of a feature match between one or more requested asset features A.FEAT. 01 -A.FEAT.N of a reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N and as noted in an available asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. 
         [0101]    In one example of a possible feature match finding by the system  100 , the exemplary first request record REQ. 01  is laden with the same three feature identifiers A.FEAT. 01 , A.FEAT. 02  &amp; AFEAT. 06  as the exemplary first asset record A.REC. 01 , whereby if these two records were available and unassigned at the time of execution of step  8 . 10 , the system  100  would assign the exemplary first request record REQ. 01  to the exemplary first asset record A.REC. 01  in step  8 . 14  if there were no lower valued available asset records A.REC. 02 -A.REC.N from the plurality of asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N selected in accordance with the method of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0102]    In optional step  8 . 15  the system  100  may set the availability/unavailability asset indicator IND.A/U. 01  to the unavailable setting and/or the availability/unavailability request indicator IND.A/U. 01  to the unavailable setting. 
         [0103]    The determinations of step  8 . 14  may be made by the system  100  on an automated basis and/or in response to direction by a sys admin, whereby the system may proceed from either step  8 . 14  to step  6 . 08  or step  6 . 14  of the process of  FIG. 6 . The asset loop counter ALC is decremented in each execution of step  8 . 18 . It is understood that in cases where optional step  8 . 13  is attempted to determine a feature match, and no feature match is detected, that the system  100  proceeds from step  8 . 13  to step  8 . 16 . It is further understood that in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method that the optional steps  8 . 10 ,  8 . 13 ,  8 . 14  and  8 . 15  are neither executed nor instantiated, and that the system  100  proceeds from step  8 . 06  to step  8 . 12 . In step  8 . 12  the system  100  assigns the currently selected reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N to the available and unassigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N to having the lowest asset value A.VALUE. 01 -A.VALUE.N 
         [0104]    It is also understood that in an iteration of the method of  FIG. 8  wherein the system  100  proceeds from step  6 . 04  to step  8 . 02 , that the system  100  will exit the loop of step  8 . 02  to step  8 . 18  by proceeding to an execution of step  6 . 08  upon the next succeeding finding in an execution of step  8 . 16  that the loop counter ALC is equal to or less than zero or a null value. It is further understood that in an iteration of the method of  FIG. 8  wherein the system  100  proceeds from step  6 . 10  to step  8 . 02 , that the system  100  will exit the loop of step  8 . 02  to step  8 . 18  by proceeding to an execution of step  6 . 14  upon the next succeeding finding in an execution of step  8 . 16  that the loop counter ALC is equal to or less than zero or a null value. 
         [0105]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of the system  100 . The system  100  includes a central processing unit module  902  (hereinafter, “CPU”  902 ) that may comprise one or more logic processors. The CPU  902  is bi-directionally communicatively coupled by an internal communications bus  904  to a user input module  906 , a display module  908 , a network communications interface module  910  and a system memory  912 . The user input module  906  is adapted to enable the sys admin or other human operator to direct the system  100  in accordance with the invented method. The display module  908  is adapted to enable system  100  to visually display to the sys admin or other human operator data, status and instructions in accordance with the invented method, to include the contents of data base management system DBMS SW 1  and other information stored in the memory  912  and/or provided to the system  100  via the network interface  910 . The network interface  910  bi-directionally communicatively couples the system  100  to an electronics communications network  914 . The DBMS SW. 1  may be selected from prior art database management systems including, but not limited to, Objectivity/DB 10™ marketed by Objectivity, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; a Database 2™, also known as DB2™, relational database management system as marketed by IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.; an Advantage Database Server™ relational database management system as marketed by Sybase, Inc. of Dublin, Calif., or other suitable database management software known in the art. It is understood that the electronics communications network  914  may be or comprise the Internet, a telephony network, and/or more computer electronics communications network. 
         [0106]    The system  100  may be or comprise a bundled hardware and software informational technology system including but not limited to(a.) a network-communications enabled THINKSTATION WORKSTATION™ notebook computer marketed by Lenovo, Inc. of Morrisville, N.C.; (b.) a NIVEUS 5200 computer workstation marketed by Penguin Computing of Fremont, Calif. and running a LINUX™ operating system or a UNIX™ operating system; (c.) a network-communications enabled personal computer configured for running WINDOWS XP™, VISTA™ or WINDOWS 7™ operating system marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.; (d.) a MACBOOK PRO™ personal computer as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.; (e.) an IPAD™ tablet computer as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.; (f.) an IPHONE™ cellular telephone as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.; (g.) an HTC TITAN II™ cellular telephone as marketed by AT&amp;T, Inc. of Dallas, Tex. and running a WINDOWS 7™ operating system as marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.; (h.) a GALAXY NEXUS™ smart phone as marketed by Samsung Group of Seoul, Republic of Korea or and running an ANDROID™; (i.) a TOUGHPAD™ tablet computer as marketed by Panasonic Corporation of Kadoma, Osaka, Japan and running an ANDROID™ operating system as marketed by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; or (j.) other suitable mobile electronic device, wireless communications device, computational system or electronic communications device known in the art. 
         [0107]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the system software SYS.SW 2  of the system  100 . The system software SYS.SW 2  resident in the system  100  enables instantiation of the invented method of  FIG. 4 through 8  in interaction with a sys admin. The system software SYS.SW 2  includes the database management system SW 1 , an operating system OPSYS, an applications software APP.SW 3 , a communications software SW 4 , an input module driver software SW 5 , and a display module driver software SW 6 . The applications software APP.SW 3  enables and directs the system  100  to practice the aspects of the invented method as disclosed in the Figures and accompanying text. The communications software SW 4  enables the system  100  to receive, read and store reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N from the network  914 . The an input module driver software SW 5  enables the system  100  to operate the input module  906  to allow the sys admin or other human operator to direct the system  100  in accordance with the invented method. The display module driver software SW 6  enables the system  100  to operate the display module  908  to visually display to the sys admin or other human operator data, status and instructions in accordance with the invented method. 
         [0108]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 11  is a detailed block diagram illustrating the contents of four exemplary asset records A.REC. 01 , A.REC. 02 , A.REC. 03  AND A.REC.N as stored in the database software DBMS SW 1 .  FIG. 11  indicates that the first asset record A.REC. 01  is assigned to the first reservation request record REQ. 01  by inclusion of the first reservation request identifier REQ.ID. 01  within the first asset record A.REC. 01 .  FIG. 11  also indicates that the second asset record A.REC. 02  is assigned to the Nth reservation request record REQ.N by inclusion of the Nth reservation request identifier REQ.ID.N within the second asset record A.REC. 02 .  FIG. 11  further indicates that the third asset record A.REC. 03  is assigned to the second reservation request record REQ. 02  by inclusion of the second reservation request identifier REQ.ID. 02  within the third asset record A.REC. 03 .  FIG. 11  additionally indicates that the Nth asset record A.REC.N is assigned to the third reservation request record REQ. 03  by inclusion of the third reservation request identifier REQ.ID. 03  within the Nth asset record A.REC.N. 
         [0109]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 12  is a detailed block diagram illustrating the contents of four exemplary reservation request records REQ. 01 , REQ. 02 , REQ. 03  AND REQ.N as stored in the database software DBMS SW 1 .  FIG. 12  indicates that the first reservation request record REQ.- 01  is assigned to the first asset record A.REC. 01  by inclusion of the first asset identifier A.ID. 01  within the first reservation request record REQ. 01 .  FIG. 12  also indicates that the second reservation request record REQ. 02  is assigned to the third asset record A.REC. 03  by inclusion of the third asset identifier A.ID. 03  within the second reservation request record REQ. 02 .  FIG. 12  also indicates that the third reservation request record REQ. 03  is assigned to the Nth asset record A.REC.N by inclusion of the Nth asset identifier A.ID.N within the third reservation request record REQ. 03 .  FIG. 12  additionally indicates that the Nth reservation request record REQ.N is assigned to the second asset record A.REC. 02  by inclusion of the second asset identifier A.ID.o 2  within the Nth reservation request record REQ.N. 
         [0110]    It is noted that each reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N preferably includes a single internal dedicated request denial flag RD.FLAG. 01 -RD.FLAG.N that by its current value indicates whether the comprising reservation request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is a denied state or a not denied state. 
         [0111]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 13  is a representation of an equipment rental record  1300  comprising an automobile asset quality level listing  1302  (hereinafter “the auto listing”  1302 ) stored within the system  100 , wherein each of asset quality levels L 0 -L 3  has a specified numerical count of available automobiles (hereinafter, “autos”). The auto listing  1302  further presents that an associated auto rental agency as including  50  autos at the first asset quality level L 0 , 40 autos at the second asset quality level L 1 , 30 autos at the third asset quality level L 2 , and 20 autos at the fourth asset quality level L 3 . These asset quality level counts, e.g., a count of 50 at the first and lowest asset quality level L 0  and a count or 20 at the fourth and highest asset quality level of L 3 , of available autos at each respective asset quality level L 0 -L 3  may be used in the invented method in one or more loops of assignments of equipment reservation requests EREQ. 01 E-REQ.N within each related quality level L 0 -L 3 . 
         [0112]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary first equipment asset record EA.REC. 01  of a plurality of equipment asset records EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N that is additionally preferably stored in the system  100 . Each equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -A.REC.N preferably includes a unique equipment asset record identifier EA.REC.ID, a unique equipment asset identifier EA.ID that identifies an actually existing automobile, an equipment asset quality level designator AQL of the automobile identified by the equipment asset identifier EA.ID of the same equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N, an optional equipment asset value EA.VALUE, optionally an auto rental request identifier EREQ.ID of a tentatively assigned auto rental request record EREQ.ID. 01 -EREQ.N, an associated time period or instance A.TIME, an assigned/unassigned FLAG.A/U, an equipment asset availability indicator IND.A/U, and/or one or more optional one or more optional requested equipment asset equipment feature identifiers EA.FEAT. 01 -EA.FEAT.N. It is understood that one or more elements of one or more equipment asset records EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N may be blank or hold null values at, or within, one or more times or time periods of application of the invented method, e.g. when no auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N is assigned to an equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -A.REC.N, the unassigned equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N may include a null or blank value in a data field reserved to tentatively store an auto rental request identifier EREQ.ID. 
         [0113]    Each equipment asset assigned/unassigned FLAG.A/U, indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -A.REC.N is available is currently assigned to an auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N. 
         [0114]    An equipment asset availability indicator IND.A/U indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N is available for automated assignment or reassignment to a record car rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N in the process of  FIGS. 3  through  FIG. 8 . 
         [0115]    It is understood that one or more equipment asset records EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N may have none, one or more than one equipment feature indicators EAFEAT. 01 -N, wherein each unique feature indicator EAFEAT. 01 -N associates a comprising equipment asset record EA.REC. 01 -A.REC.N with a particular aspect, quality or element that is not generally included within equipment asset records having a same equipment asset quality level AQL. It is understood that the null feature value F.NULL represents a data field that does not record feature indicator EAFEAT. 01 -N. 
         [0116]    It is understood that in various alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method that one or more asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N or equipment asset records EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N may represent access to, rental of, usage of, and/or control of a time constrained asset, a time delineated service, a time period of service, an equipment, sets of equipment, one or more objects, venues, facilities, digitally stored data, documents, and/or time lengths of availability, access, usage, service and/or presence. 
         [0117]    a hotel room, a rental vehicle, a venue seat, an airplane, an airplane seat during a flight, an event space, a transportation capacity unit, a service provider&#39;s time, or an equipment of which access to or usage of is time constrained. 
         [0118]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 15  illustrates presents an exemplary first auto rental request software record EREQ. 01  of a plurality auto rental request records EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N. Each auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N preferably includes a request record identifier EREQ.EREC.ID, a unique auto rental identifier E.ID that uniquely identifies an issued request for use of an automobile, an optional requestor client identifier CLIENT.ID that identifies a requesting client, an optional request source identifier SOURCE.ID that identifies an agency or a an electronic message sender from whom the comprising auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N was received or is identified as an originator of the comprising request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N , an asset level request quality level RQL. 01 -RQL.N, an auto rental valuation EREQV. 01 -EREQ.N, an assigned/unassigned request flag ERFLAG.A/U, an associated requested time EREQ.TIME, optionally a tentatively assigned equipment identifier EA.ID, and/or one or more optional requested asset feature identifiers EA.FEAT. 01 -EA.FEAT.N. It is understood that the asset identifier EA.ID. 01 -EA.ID.N held in one or more auto rental request records EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N may be a temporary assignment that may be overwritten with the comprising request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N by alternate asset identifiers EA.ID. 01 -EA.ID.N one or more times within the process of the invented method. It is understood that one or more elements of one or more auto rental software records EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N may be blank or hold null values at, or within, one or more times or time periods of application of the invented method, e.g. when no an asset record EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N is assigned to a auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N, the unassigned auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N may include a null or blank value in request software record data field reserved to store an assigned asset identifier EA.ID. 01 -EA.ID.N. 
         [0119]    It is noted the exemplary first equipment record EA.REC. 01  and the exemplary first auto rental request record EREQ. 01  have the same three feature identifiers EA.FEAT. 01 , EA.FEAT. 02  &amp; EAFEAT. 06 . It is understood that a feature match may therefore be discovered between the first auto asset record EA.REC. 01  and the exemplary first auto rental record EREQ. 01  by the invented system  100  in accordance with certain alternate preferred embodiments of the invented method. 
         [0120]    Each assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U, indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREQ.N is currently assigned to an asset record EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N. The assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U is in a first binary state the assigned/unassigned request R.FLAG.A/U indicates that the comprising auto rental request record EREQ. 01 -EREC.N is currently assigned to a single identified asset record EA.REC. 01 -EA.REC.N, and alternately when the assigned/unassigned request flag R.FLAG.A/U is in a second binary state the assigned/unassigned request R.FLAG.A/U indicates that the comprising auto rental request record REQ. 01 -REC.N is currently assigned to a single identified asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N 
         [0121]    Each request availability indicator R.IND.A/U indicates to the system  100  whether the comprising auto rental request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available for automated assignment or reassignment to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N in the process of  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 8 . The request availability indicator R.IND.A/U may be a simple binary digit or variable, wherein when the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U is in a first binary state the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U indicates that the comprising reservation record request REQ. 01 -REQ.N is available for assignment or reassignment by the system  100  in an automated process and without further interaction with by the system  100  with the sys admin, and alternately when the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U is in an alternate second binary state the request availability indicator R.IND.A/U indicates that the comprising reservation record request REQ. 01 -REQ.N is not available for assignment or reassignment to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N by the system  100  in an automated process and without further interaction with the sys admin. 
         [0122]    It is understood that one or more auto rental request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N may have none, one or more than one feature indicators AFEAT. 01 -N, wherein each unique feature indicator AFEAT. 01 -N associates a comprising auto rental request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N with a particular aspect, quality or element that is not generally included within asset records A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. It is further understood that the null feature value F.NULL represents a data field that does not record feature indicator AFEAT. 01 -N. 
         [0123]    The process of assigning a auto rental request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N to an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N may include, or alternately consist of, writing a auto rental identifier REQ. 01 -REQ.N of the assigned auto rental request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N into the assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N. 
         [0124]    The process of assigning an asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N to a auto rental request record REQ. 01 -REQ.N may include, or alternately consist of, writing an asset identifier A.ID. 01 -A.ID.N of the assigned asset record A.REC. 01 -A.REC.N into the assigned reservation record REQ. 01 -REQ.N. 
         [0125]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 16  is a detailed block diagram illustrating the contents of four exemplary equipment asset records EA.REC. 01 , EA.REC. 02 , EA.REC. 03  and EA.REC.N as stored in the database software DBMS SW 1 . 
         [0126]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 17  is a detailed block diagram illustrating the contents of four exemplary auto rental reservation request records EREQ. 01 , EREQ. 02 , EREQ. 03  and EREQ.N as stored in the database software DBMS SW 1 . 
         [0127]      FIG. 18  is an illustration of the network  914  that bi-directionally communicatively couples the system  100  of  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  with a plurality of reservation systems  1102 . One or more reservation systems  1800  are adapted to generate and transmit reservation request records REQ. 01 -REQ.N in whole or in part to the system  100 . More particularly, one or more reservation system  1800  may be or comprise a bundled hardware and software informational technology system including but not limited to (a.) an IPHONE™ cellular telephone as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino; (b.) an IPAD™ tablet computer adapted for generation of digitized photographic documents and capable of bi-directional communications via the telephony network and the Internet 6 as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.; (c.) an HTC TITAN II™ cellular telephone as marketed by AT&amp;T, Inc. of Dallas, Tex. and running a WINDOWS 7™ operating system as marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.; (d.) a GALAXY NEXUS™ smart phone as marketed by Samsung Group of Seoul, Republic of Korea and running an ANDROID™ operating system as marketed by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; (e.) a TOUGHPAD™ tablet computer as marketed by Panasonic Corporation of Kadoma, Osaka Japan and running an ANDROID™ operating system as marketed by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; or (f.) other suitable computational system or electronic communications device known in the art. 
         [0128]    While the present invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the techniques set forth in the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims.