Patent ID: 8468039

Claim:
A method for handling standard fare data contained in a fare database, the method, comprising: building, via a computer processor out of the standard fare data, standard fare metadata used by a fare search application that operates on a client operated by an end-user, wherein building the fare metadata further comprises determining the standard fare metadata on the basis of a discriminating criterion applicable to the standard fare data, and expanding the standard fare metadata such that the standard fare metadata conforms to a set of rules associated with the standard fare data in the standard fare database, the discriminating criterion comprising ticketing dates used when a travel ticket is issued; storing the standard fare metadata in an intermediate database on a server remote from the client; delivering said standard fare metadata to the fare search application through a fare metadata engine in lieu of the standard fare data; subsequent to storing the standard fare metadata in the intermediate database, receiving a request from the client, said request comprising an intended date of travel; processing the request at the fare metadata engine by accessing the intermediate database; and returning an answer to the client, the answer comprising a plurality of fares with associated travel dates based on a date on which the request is processed and, with each fare, each of i) an absolute lowest possible fare irrespective of availability and irrespective of the date on which the request is processed, ii) a lowest possible fare based on the date on which the request is processed but irrespective of availability, and iii) a lowest possible fare for a future ticketing date.