Methods and apparatus for implementing a flexible multi-user advance reservation system where reservation requests are specified in terms of multiple options and where each option has an associated business value
US7839883B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2209/5014
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for implementing a multi-user advance reservation system where reservations are specified in terms of flexible constraints, inflexible constraints and business values. The specification of reservations in this manner allows an entity managing the reservation system to arbitrate among reservations received from a user population with a view toward maximizing business value across the user population. In methods and apparatus of the present invention, penalties and rewards associated with various reservation outcomes can be specified in reservations to assist in business value maximization. In an example, a reservation having a low business value may be declined when there is a significant possibility that a reservation having a high business would be submitted during the pendency of service delivery to the user issuing the reservation with a low business value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.