AMENITY, SPECIAL SERVICE AND FOOD/BEVERAGE SEARCH AND PURCHASE BOOKING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems, methods and computer program products for an a la carte amenity, special service, food/beverage and accommodation feature search and booking engines. Aspects of the present invention allow customers to identify, via arbitrary search, amenities and/or special services (including food/beverage) available at lodging facilities, restaurants clubs/lounges/bars, dwellings and travel accommodation venues. Customers are thereby presented with goods and services matching or related to their query items and are permitted to select and common desired feature options and book, reserve or purchase their selection; optionally including the booking of an accommodation such as a room or table at a restaurant as well.

Claims

1.-65. (canceled)

66. A method of fulfilling a hospitality booking using a processor-driven central reservation system (CRS) comprising the steps of: establishing, at the CRS via a communications interface, connectivity to a mesh network of databases and user computing devices (UCDs); receiving at the CRS, a user request for a hospitality booking from a requesting UCD encompassing means for selecting a desired feature reservation, including time duration and date of said feature, said request encompassing a desired feature reservation and associated time duration and date; delivering at least one query for available conformant resources and its pricing to at least one database in said mesh network, said query including additional criteria as selected by said user; based on at least one response to said at least one query, generating for delivery to said requesting UCD at least one entry for satisfying said criteria for a desired feature reservation, said at least one entry including pricing related to said entry; delivering to said requesting UCD a selectable display including said at least one entry, wherein said selectable display includes optional additive features; upon said user selecting an entry and any optional additive features, delivering authorization to a provider associated with said user selected entry; and upon receiving confirmation of said booking order, delivering a reservation confirmation to the requester; wherein optional additive features include amenities, services, food, beverages and gift card products.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said feature reservation is or is associated with event space.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein said CRS adaptively determines entries in said mesh network of databases conformant to said request and maintains data regarding said adaptive determination.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein said means for selection is a graphical user interface (GUI).

70. The method of claim 66, wherein said selectable display is a GUI.

71. The method of claim 66, wherein an order for at least one optional additive feature is delivered to a tourism or hospitality provider in said mesh network.

72. The method of claim 66, wherein said feature provider and said facility provider are different providers.

73. The method of claim 66, wherein said processor determines resource availability and pricing for optional additive features by querying at least one database in said mesh network.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein pricing is calculated based on said request, selected features, and determined fees for preparing said features.

75. A system for fulfilling a hospitality reservation comprising: a processor-driven central reservation system (CRS); a digital communications interface; at least one data store; and access to a user computing device (UCD); wherein said CRS is programmed to: upon receiving a user request for a desired feature reservation for a hospitality booking, said request received from a UCD, said request including time duration and date of said feature, said CRS formulating and delivering at least one query to a data store for available conformant resources and pricing; upon response to said query, delivering to said requesting UCD at least one entry for satisfying said criteria for a desired feature reservation, said at least one entry including pricing related to said entry; further delivering to said requesting UCD a selectable display including said at least one entry, wherein said selectable display includes related optional additive features; and upon said user selecting an entry and any optional features, delivering a transmission to each data store associated with each selection to update the availability of each selection; wherein optional additive features include amenities, services, food, beverages and gift card products.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said feature reservation is or is associated with event space.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein said processor-driven CRS adaptively determines entries in said mesh network of databases conformant to said request and maintains data regarding said adaptive determination.

78. The system of claim 75, wherein said UCD is a GUI.

79. The system of claim 75, wherein an order for at least one optional additive feature is delivered to a feature provider.

80. The system of claim 75, wherein said feature provider and said facility provider are different providers.

81. The system of claim 75, wherein said processor determines resource availability and pricing for optional additive features by querying at least one database in an accessible mesh network.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein pricing is calculated based on said request, selected features, and determined fees for preparing said feature.

83. The system of claim 75, wherein said processer is further configured to determine needs for transitioning said space from its previous use, including durations for transitioning.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein, based on said transition utilizes, a booking intelligence for integrating resources is created, and from which availability pricing is determined.

85. A method for dynamically selecting a hospitality-related reservation using an interactive Graphical User interface (GUI) comprising the steps of: on an interactive GUI, displaying selectable booking options including features; updating said GUI as an option or as a feature is selected; displaying on said GUI at least one preferred resource for satisfying a need, said preferred resource determinable based on data in a resource data store; affording a user an option to select said preferred resource or an alternative; and in response to said user selecting said preferred resource or an alternative, updating said display so as to provide an updated view of characteristics of any selected options or features.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system according to embodiments of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary venue.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of an exemplary booking engine in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of an affiliate profile administrator portal (“APAP”) in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of aspects of affiliate profiles in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of aspects of a payment gateway in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0027] FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 31 are schematic illustrations of exemplary customer user/system user interface flows in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0028] FIGS. 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are portions of exemplary screen shots of a customer user portal's home search input engine page in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a portion of exemplary screen shot of a customer user portal's affiliate landing page in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0030] FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are details of exemplary screen shots of a customer user portal's search results and item selection pages in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 22 is an exemplary screen shot of a customer user portal's affiliate profile page in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 23 is a partial exemplary screen shot of a customer user extension component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIGS. 24 and 25 are portions of exemplary screen shots of a customer user portal's confirmation page in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary affiliate user/system user interface flow in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 27 is an exemplary screen shot of an APAP's affiliate information page (for a hotel affiliate) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 28 is an exemplary screen shot of an APAP's rooms page (for a hotel affiliate) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIGS. 29 and 30 are schematic representations of an exemplary server device and client device, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0038] Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and computer program products for features such as amenity, special service, food/beverage and accommodation search and booking engines. In the context of the present invention, affiliates are generally hospitality and travel providers such as places of lodging facilities, restaurants, clubs/lounges/bars, dwellings and travel accommodation venues. However, in some embodiments, affiliates may be limited to boutique hotels. Travel providers are generally entities providing travel related products and services. The term “accommodation” pertains to the core offerings of a hospitality provider; for example, hotel accommodations include rooms and restaurant accommodations include restaurant table. With reference to FIG. 2, an affiliate hotel 200 may offer many features such as amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage. For example, room accommodations may include a penthouse suite 210, a room with hot tub 220, a room with balcony 225, a room with bowling alley 260 and regular rooms 255. Affiliate hotel 200 may also feature a heli-pad 205, roof terrace 245, spa 215, greenhouse garden with koi pond 250, wine bar 265, restaurant 235, clothing boutique 270, dance club 240 and movie theater 275. Affiliate hotel 200 may also offer meeting and multi-purpose or pop-up space 230. Some travel providers and hospitality providers may make available activities such as boat rentals or experiences such as theater shows. The term “customers” includes persons searching for the products and services of affiliates.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the invention may be disposed to operate in a networked system 10 comprising a server 100, customer device(s) 160 and affiliate device(s) 180, all interconnected through network 155. Network 155 may include the internet, but may also be comprised of dedicated and/or proprietary network interconnections. The system 10 may also include service provider systems such as Global Distribution System (GDS) 144, Property Management System(s) (PMS) 146, Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) 147 and Central Reservation System (CRS) 148. System 10 may also include merchant financial services providers, represented by bank 142, for processing credit card and other financial transactions. System 10 may also include social media service providers, industry expert service providers and guide and review service providers, represented by SOC 142. System 10 may also include, not shown, an inventory system, a sales/revenue management system, a loyalty system and/or a property/operations system interconnected via network 155.

[0040] Loyalty systems comprise methods, products (e.g. credit/debit cards) and technical systems internal and external to affiliates that are structured marketing efforts that reward, and thereby encourage, loyal buying behaviors. These behaviors are used to monetize via incentives to perpetuate an intended behavior through an affiliate program. Communication with a loyalty system may include records of each transaction held in an analytics system for trend performance and suggestion models. Information from a loyalty system may be used to enhance adaptive search into suggestions for repeat or perpetual business. Integration with loyalty system can enable enhanced search and suggestive purchase options via recommendations. This system of customer transaction input enables machine learning of repeat business to elicit an effect on the inventive system to create new artifacts for scored processing. In addition, incentivation of perpetual interaction is enabled with the search and purchase system to continually refine feature and/or accommodation item results for selection and purchase.

[0041] Server 100 includes data store 116, booking engine 120, affiliate profile administrator portal 122, payment gateway 132, GDS interface 134, PMS interface 136 and CRS interface 138. Customer device 160 is any network connectable computing device capable of transmitting customer search query data and receiving search results. Customers may enter queries using customer input 164, a key board, for example, and may view results on customer display 166. Customer device 160 may run one or more applications such as customer app 162 for interacting with server 100. In one embodiment, customer app 162 is a web browser. A customer device 160 may also have a geolocation component such as a GPS receiver and/or a proximity detection component 168, permitting customer device 160 to determine where it is and/or what it is in proximity to for search input. In one embodiment, proximity detection component 168 may utilize RFID technology. Affiliate device 180 is also a network connectable computing device and may include affiliate input 184, affiliate display 186, and affiliate app 182 for interacting through the network with server 100. In one embodiment, affiliate app 182 is a web browser. In an alternative embodiment, affiliate app 182 is a branded application for interacting with server 100. Affiliate device 180 may be one or more computers and may host an affiliate's general inventory and/or sales modules. Other methods of computing devices capable of transmitting search query data may also include: telepathic apparatuses, taste apparatuses, biometric integration, holographic integration and artificial intelligence functions any of which can be configured to serve as potential means of search input with facilitation of availability for ticketing, booking, reserving and/or purchasing of amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage.

[0042] The modular components of server 100 ensure dynamic interconnected communication, allowing customers to identify amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage of affiliates through search, and providing the option to purchase said items. Furthermore, this system allows affiliate users to connect their system of amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage to the inventive system, but not limited to accessing its dashboard directly and uploading their amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage.

[0043] The components of this system connect to each other through data transfer channels. These data transfer channels are interchangeable with other relevant data transfer channels. Portions of system 10 may be cloud based; however, cloud capabilities are not required. Cloud systems simply offer optionality of resources and data transfer channels.

[0044] Data store 116 comprises one or more databases for storing customer user and affiliate user artifacts. Booking engine 120 facilitates customer search and results.

[0045] In one embodiment, data store 116 comprises a relational database and a non-relational database. The relational database may handle customer user artifacts; the non-relational databases may handle customizable affiliate user artifacts. The use of a non-relational database component allows the system to evolve by adapting to increasing differentiation in terms of artifact types and uses recognized and stored for recall in the systems.

[0046] The databases of the present invention are useful for additional purposes. In order to continuously improve searching, queries and query trends are tracked as part of session data and the data are used for purposes such as, but not limited to, affiliate feature matching and potential monetization.

[0047] In general, users provide search content through either text, commands interpretable as text, image(s) input, audio, electronic signals or by menu selection. The menus may be in the form of click boxes or selectable icons among other known options. Once the user provides the requisite strings and/or selections, those items are delivered to one or more of the databases so as to return matching content. Further, the user may select non-matching content, such as not wanting an Affiliate that allows pets. The processor(s) of the present invention are programmed to filter out such non-matching content from the items returned to the user. Similarly, the user can refine their selection by choosing more strings and/or selections in a second search, including non-matching items and replacing previous queries. Like the first search, the user can select items to be filtered out.

[0048] In one embodiment, the relational database is Postgres and includes the following tables:

TABLE-US-00001 Table Description accounts_reservationmanager Guests information (Used by executive assistants) accounts_userprofile Extra User's information (Billing address and hobbies) auth_permission User's permissions auth_group User's groups auth_user User's accounts payment_braintreepayment Payment (e.g. Braintree) transactions history web_promotion Promotions information web_reservation Reservations history

[0049] In one embodiment, the non-relational database is MongoDB and includes hotel and features documents with the following structure:

TABLE-US-00002 Document Hotel Fields:   hotel_id   name   address   address_line2   city   state   postal   country   hotel_phone   ...   latitude   longitude   ....   hotel_description   hotel_policies Sub Documents:   amenities -> Amenities Document   services -> Services Document   food and beverage -> Food and Beverage Document   rooms -> Rooms Documents   contacts -> Contacts Document   images -> Images Document Document Amenities Document Fields: name (Amenity name) default Services Document Fields: name (Service name) default Food and Beverage Document Fields: name (Food and Beverage name) default

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, booking engine 120 may be broken down into three components: search input form 310, session data 320 and algorithmic logic 330. Search input form 310 allows the customer to query existing artifacts from the database and through “typeahead” recalls anticipated items, hosted as artifacts, to be rendered for the user to select in an autocomplete list. If search input form 310 does not provide an artifact for the user to select, an administrative log is created and the search query is evaluated and updated within the database for expanded utilization of new amenities and/or special services going forward.

[0051] Session data 320 stores and applies the customer user interactions with the system to provide a learned user experience based on user preferences in navigating the user interface. For example, the user is not required to reset their times/dates when searching for various amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage. The system will save these preferences unless the user resets the session data. Adaptive search capabilities permit recognition and scoring of customer inputs and types>scoring>human operator input via approval process>matching of amenities/services/food/beverage to affiliates with capabilities. Customer users interaction with adaptive search enables the inventive system, through machine learning of unmatched search input queries, to create a technical effect on the database system wherein unmatched and trend scored artifacts are clarified with the customer user and later create new feature categories for search, availability and purchase with matched and/or affiliates who have indicated evolving features.

[0052] Algorithmic logic 330 refers to algorithms and programming allowing the system to interpret data and communicate between components of the system in order to facilitate the intended user results.

[0053] Pseudo code corresponding to algorithms for search with facilitation of booking, reserving purchasing of amenities and/or special services includes:

TABLE-US-00003 TripDetails.CheckInDate = READ MachineHumanInterface TripDetails.CheckOutDate = READ MachineHumanInterface TripDetails.Item = READ MachineHumanInterface # Item Stands for Amenity/Special Service/Food/Beverage and Room TripDetails.City = READ MachineHumanInterface Availability = ItemAvailabilitySearch(TripDetails) IF Availability == TRUE THEN   PRINT “AVAILABLE”   Result = PRINT “Proceed to check out?”   IF Result == TRUE THEN     BillingInformation = READ MachineHumanInterface     Reservation = CREATE NEW RESERVATION IN Database   ELSE     PRINT “NOT AVAILABLE” END IF END

[0054] Pseudo code corresponding to semantic-style smart search input with typeahead recall capabilities includes:

TABLE-US-00004 UserInput = READ MachineHumanInterface Result = SmartSearchAmenity(UserInput) IF Result.WaitingForApprovalTag == TRUE THEN     PRINT “No Results” ELSE     PRINT Result END # Keywords processed to query the database # Algorithm number 3 looks for synonyms, mistypes in users input and subject related keywords raw_keywords = GetKeywords(UserInput) keywords = smartSearch(keywords) # Algorithm number 3 locations = GET Locations FROM Database features = GET Features FROM Database affiliates = GET Affiliate FROM Database ObjectList = EMPTY # Contains resulting object list # Check if the user specified a location such as a city, neighborhood, gps or proximity detection FOR keyword in keywords   IF location THEN       location = GET City WHERE Location = keyword   END IF END FOR IF location = EMPTY THEN      location = GetDeviceGeoLocation(Input)     IF location = EMPTY THEN      location = EVERYWHERE # look for the entire country when location is not specified     END IF END IF FOR keyword in keywords   # Start keyword search on Affiliates   FOR affiliate IN affiliates     IF affiliate HAS keyword AND affiliate.city == location THEN       APPEND affiliate TO ObjectList # ObjectList contains the results     END IF   END FOR   # Start keywords search on Features   FOR feature IN features     IF feature HAS keyword AND feature.city == location THEN       APPEND feature TO ObjectList # ObjectList contains the results     END IF   END FOR END FOR PRINT ObjectList

[0055] In one embodiment, there is provided a machine learning feature wherein, if a search input is not recognized by the system, a record is created for evaluation of input value. In another embodiment, a user enters a data string and if the data string is not recognizable, the system of the present invention may perform a variety of searches to return like-sounding or like-appearing suggestions to the user for selection. Once selected, that selection and the original search string are stored together relationally in memory so that later users can be offered a similar suggestion.

[0056] Upon verification of the input value, the new adaptive search input is enabled with capable affiliates for updated search with facilitation of availability for ticketing, booking, reserving and/or purchasing of amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage. Pseudo code illustrating this includes:

TABLE-US-00005 UserInput = READ MachineHumanInterface Feature = QUERY UserInput FROM Categories IN Database IF Feature <> EMPTY THEN     Hotels = QUERY Feature IN Hotels WHERE Feature = Feature     ORDER Hotels USING FeatureScore     PRINT Hotels ELSE     PRINT “No Results”     WRITE UserInput TO Database     WRITE WaitingForApprovalTag TO UserInput IN Database     QUERY Synonyms FROM Database     GET Categories FROM Synonyms IN Database     Score = FuzzyLogicScore <- UserInput, Synonyms, Categories     WRITE Score TO UserInput IN Database END IF END

[0057] Pseudo code corresponding to facilitation of operation in optional tandem with human operators includes:

TABLE-US-00006 Amenity = READ MachineHumanInterface IF Feature.WaitingForApprovalTag == TRUE THEN   UserApproval = READ MachineHumanInterface   IF UserApproval == TRUE THEN     WRITE ApprovedTag TO Feature IN Database   ELSE:     PRINT “1.- Discard Feature?”     PRINT “2.- Modify Score?”     PRINT “3.- Modify Category?”     Option = READ MachineHumanInterface     IF Option == 1 THEN       DELETE Feature FROM Database     ELSE IF Option == 2 THEN       UserScore = READ MachineHumanInterface       WRITE UserScore TO Feature IN Database     ELSE       UserCategory = READ MachineHumanInterface       WRITE UserCategory TO Feature IN Database     END IF     IF OPTION <> 1 THEN       WRITE ApprovedTag TO Feature IN Database     END IF   END IF END IF END

[0058] Customers interact through the system via the search function, adding to the system's search capabilities through adaptive search update. Affiliate users add to the system's search capabilities via APAP. Pseudo code corresponding to dual user input (customer user and affiliate user) includes:

TABLE-US-00007 UserInput = READ MachineHumanInterface Feature = QUERY UserInput FROM Categories IN Database IF Feature == EMPTY THEN   WRITE Feature TO Database   WRITE WaitingForApprovalTag TO Feature IN Database   QUERY Synonyms FROM Database   GET Categories FROM Synonyms IN Database   Score = FuzzyLogicScore(Feature, Synonyms, Categories)   WRITE Score TO Feature IN Database END IF IF Feature.WaitingForApprovalTag == TRUE THEN   UserApproval = READ MachineHumanInterface   IF UserApproval == TRUE THEN     WRITE ApprovedTag TO Feature IN Database   ELSE:     PRINT “1.- Discard Feature?”     PRINT “2.- Modify Score?”     PRINT “3.- Modify Category?”     Option = READ MachineHumanInterface     IF Option == 1 THEN       DELETE Feature FROM Database     ELSE IF Option == 2 THEN       UserScore = READ MachineHumanInterface       WRITE UserScore TO Feature IN Database     ELSE       UserCategory = READ MachineHumanInterface       WRITE UserCategory TO Feature IN Database     END IF     IF OPTION <> 1 THEN       WRITE ApprovedTag TO Feature IN Database     END IF   END IF END IF END

[0059] Pseudo code corresponding to dynamic pricing update includes:

TABLE-US-00008 HotelICS = CREATE NEW CONNECTION TO HotelICS # Hotel's Inventory Control System REPEAT EVERY FixedPeriodOfTime     ICSActiveReservations = READ HotelICS.Reservations     ICSRoomsInformation = READ HotelICS.RoomsInformation     LocalActiveReservations = READ Database     LocalRoomsInformation = READ Database     ActiveReservations = ICSActiveReservations JOIN     LocalActiveReservations     RoomsInformation = ICSRoomsInformation JOIN     LocalRoomsInformation END REPEAT

[0060] Pseudo code corresponding to availability search utilizing inventory control system includes:

TABLE-US-00009 Hotels = QUERY Hotels IN Database WHERE Hotel.City = City AND Hotel.Feature CONTAINS Items REPEAT     Counter = Counter + 1     Exit = FALSE     Availability = FALSE     Hotel = Hotels[Counter]     Reservations = QUERY Reservations IN database WHERE TripDetails.CheckinDate IS BETWEEN Reservation.CheckInDate AND Reservation.CheckOutDate AND Reservation.Amenity = TripDetails.Feature     ItemsAvailable = Hotel.NumberOfItems - Reservations     IF ItemsAvailable > 0 AND ItemsAvailable <=     TripDetails.NumberOfItems THEN         Exit = TRUE         Availability = TRUE     ELSE IF COUNT(Hotels) > Counter THEN         Exit = TRUE     END IF UNTIL Exit = TRUE

[0061] Pseudo code corresponding to availability search utilizing inventory control system includes:

TABLE-US-00010 UserInput = READ MachineHumanInterface # LanguageAnalysis returns a list of languages and the probabilities percentage values Languages = LanguageAnalysis(UserInput) Location = READ UsersLocation LocationLanguage = QUERY Language WHERE Location = UsersLocation Language = LocationLanguage JOIN Location Database = SELECT Database WHERE Database.Language = Language END

[0062] Type ahead or text snippets from local expert reviews, blogs, and social media may augment search input and/or be connected to a referenced item via a search and purchase booking search link. Accordingly, customer users can copy and paste terms they find online or through the expert/social news updates feature of server 100 into search to recall travel tips or recommendations. Content supporting this feature can be obtained by SOC interface 139's crawling of SOC services 149 and storage of terms as artifacts in the database.

[0063] In one embodiment, type ahead and text snippets for augmenting search maybe sourced from expert reviews, which are uploaded and associated to an artifact. Accordingly, search results might include one or more reviews and associated artifacts. A customer viewing a review would be provided a search and purchase “Booking Button” within the review text that would bring the customer to the exact item (amenity, special service, food or beverage, or accommodation) for Booking.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, the affiliate profile administrator portal 122 (also known as “APAP”) is broken down into two parts: asset management dashboard 410 and inventory control system 420.

[0065] Asset management dashboard 410 is both a front-end user-interface and a back-end artifact integration tool. Affiliates utilize this dashboard to upload and manage their artifact assets (referred to as Items when considering customer users) in order to render a searchable profile on the system. This dashboard 410 retains a hierarchy of administrator access between affiliates and our systems computerized systems coupled with human operator maintenance.

[0066] Affiliates may also have the opportunity to upload and manage contract documents such as terms and conditions associated with an accommodation and/or feature, which must be accepted by a customer upon booking that item. Such documents may be presented to or available to customers prior to purchase or check-out.

[0067] Inventory control system 420 is a system that works in tandem with asset management dashboard 410. Here, algorithms process items as artifacts, such as “features,” in order to segment the items within the databases, thereby enabling artifacts to be available via search input. This feature is both manually driven and dynamically according to supply and demand by means of price control. More specifically, affiliates can log-on and upload/manage specific artifacts to the inventory control system via the APAP 122. In addition, affiliates can also enable real-time dynamic upload/managing of their artifacts between their own systems and the inventory control system. With a dynamic connection, the inventory control system is updated automatically whenever changes occur within the affiliate systems once artifacts are connected.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 5, affiliate profiles are broken down into three segments: type 510, products 520 and services 530. Type 510 refers to the category of affiliate such as hotel, motel, room accommodation, travel partner, entertainment partner, restaurant, club/lounge, dwelling or any other hospitality and food/beverage provider. Product 520 refers to any assets that an affiliate can provide for immediate purchase or for future purchase. Services 530 refer to any services that an affiliate can provide for immediate purchase or for future purchase. Profiles are created and maintained within the APAP Dashboard 410, which is tied to the affiliate's ability to provide for booking, reserving or purchasing of: food/beverages, amenities and/or special services via search. Profile components may include image or spatial renderings as enhanceable artifacts. Feature examples may include, but are not limited to venues, rooms or facilities where pricing is visually identifiable and/or selectable with search for availability and/or purchase.

[0069] Although not shown in the figures, the present invention collects voluminous data from users. All searches are captured and stored. Consequently, the system of the present invention has the ability to identify trends and changes in user desires quickly. Such changes can, for example, identify when user demand increases or decreases either quickly or outside of a normal range. When these atypical conditions are recognized, and if they are coupled with other information, such as general location (like a portion of a city), the system of the present invention can suggest pricing changes to Affiliates such as hotels, restaurants, clubs/lounges/bars and other travel accommodation venues. For example, as demand increases in a particular locale, an Affiliate can adjust rates for unrented features upwards. And if demand drops off for a particular day or time, pricing can be reduced. Affiliates can use these price changes to, for example, inform a client base via digital notification.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 6, In order to comply with payment card industry (“PCI”) Compliance, the payment gateway is broken down into three 3rd parties: payment processing API 610, taxing API 620 and merchant bank 630. While the customer user creates profiles on the system in the form of user profiles, not all information required for credit card processing is stored according to PCI. Therefore, the system may rely on the said 3rd parties to receive customer user information along with their feature order from the booking engine, in order to facilitate a purchase by way of a financial transaction between the customer user and the affiliate user. Payment is received by both the system provider and the affiliate for product and/or services purchased, along with confirmation to all parties (customer user, affiliate user and system provider).

[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary flow of a customer interaction with the system. Starting at the home user interface, the customer may enter trip detail, receive search results, selected an affiliate profile for purchase, check-out and pay via the payment gateway. Variants to this flow may be understood with reference to FIG. 8. Generally, a customer with begin at home/landing interface 810. Here, the customer user is enabled to perform an item search query or time/date query by selecting one of the landing choices 820. The system, via the trip details engine, utilizes fuzzy logic and algorithms to interpret the data input. The system thereby scores the data in order to process for verified trend analysis with the database components to assess availability via the inventory control system.

[0072] Alternatively, a customer may access their customer user profile 826. Upon logging in, customers have the ability to recall previously interpreted data through a profile management interface. This information recall is pulled from the customer profile database.

[0073] Alternatively, a customer may access a general affiliate profiles via selection 828. The customer user has the ability to select from a variety of general affiliate profiles rendered for inquiry. The information populated on the Home/Landing Interface is managed and rendered by APAP, which enables the system to render continuous deployment of data to the interface.

[0074] From the landing page 810, a customer may use trip details engine 822 to search via: name; destination; amenity; special service or food/beverage using search input 823. In some embodiments, the “destination” input is provided by the customer device's location system 168 and may comprise the device's geolocation or detection of a proximity beacon. The data input is sourced and thereby interpreted by trip details engine 822.

[0075] A customer may also provide a date as well as a search input through selection 824. This combines ability of item search and event availability to narrow the search results provided or selected a specific item for selection. This combines inventory control search elements within the trip details engine 822.

[0076] Via times/dates selection 825, a customer user may search via item availability.

[0077] History is a subcomponent of the customer user profile 826, where the customer is able to select previous actions within the system. Session data and analytics enable the system to recall and render a historical interface to process availability of previous input(s).

[0078] Upon accessing the home/landing interface 810 or via search results rendered from trip details engine 822, a customer user has the ability to select from a variety of affiliate profiles rendered for inquiry. The selected affiliate profile is rendered by the home/landing interface or the results of input(s) produced by the trip details engine 822.

[0079] With respect to search results, affiliate profiles are rendered where item is available based on search input from trip details engine 822.

[0080] Item selection involves an interface allowing a customer user to select an intended item from search. A selected item is thereby identified to the system for the facilitation of availability for ticketing, booking, reserving and/or purchasing of features via the inventory control system for processing the transaction within the payment gateway. In the flow of one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the user may have the option after selecting an item to select additional items to be added for check-out. This may be effected via a “+accommodation” type button such as link 1036 illustrated in FIG. 12 and links 1056 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Such buttons or links may include “+amenities” type functions for adding items such as Food & Beverage, Seating Selection or Table, Meeting Space, Room Service, Equipment Rentals, Facilities or Events, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, affiliate terms and conditions may be presented to or made available to customers prior to check-out; if a customer does not accept the terms and conditions, the transaction cannot be consummated.

[0081] Item selection may further include an interface allowing environment configuration of the selected item. Capabilities of a selected item are uploaded and managed in the Inventory Control System via a series of input and management fields, such as seating arrangement, facilitation of equipment, lighting specifications, occupancy/capacity, catering, orientation, etc. Customers may select a configuration for a selected item or submit a request for an alternative configuration for approval (not shown).

[0082] Check-out includes an interface for customer user confirmation of intended item selection via an editable confirmation of intended purchase. Through stored session data within the systematic ‘breadcrumb’ navigation of item selection(s) throughout the process flow, the system interacts with the payment gateway to complete the intended transaction.

[0083] Methods in accordance with the invention may follow the flow illustrated in FIG. 31, including a step 3120 whereby a client transmits arbitrary feature search parameters for a bookable feature to a server, a step 3130 whereby the server searches a feature database for feature(s) and their providers matching, at least in part, the search parameters, a step 3140 whereby the client receives identity(ies) of feature(s) and/or providers able to provide the feature(s) from the server, a step 3150 whereby client transmits a selection of a provider to the server, a step 3160 whereby the client receives from the server offer to book the feature and/or an accommodation of the provider. Such methods may also include a step 3170 whereby payment information is (optionally) transmitted to the server and processed. Such methods may also include a step 3180 whereby inventory records for the booked feature(s) and/or accommodation(s) are updated. Such methods may also include a step 3135 whereby an external provider database is queried in order to determine matching feature(s)/provider(s) and/or determine availability. Such methods may also include a step 3125 whereby the server provides typeahead/autocomplete information to the client devices.

[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 12, there is provided a portion of an exemplary screen shot 1000 illustrating where a customer user can input his/her query to search available features. Screen 1000 includes query area 1005 which comprises a free form entry box 1010, a date picker 1020, an occupancy selector area 1030 and “search” button 1040. Date picker 1020 may include a time entry box and/or time picker (not shown). Screen 1000 may include affiliate general profiles area 1050. In addition to affiliate names or destinations, the features for affiliate general spaces or even room specific features will render in search results; allowing the user to select based on their preference. FIG. 12 exemplifies the customer user's ability to further specify the search input (trip details) engine by selecting a check-in time/date 1022, a check-out time/date 1024 for the intended search/purchase of a feature. In some embodiments, where a rate matrix provides for time/date selection (see, e.g., FIG. 20), specification of timing information via 1022 and 1024 is optional. Occupancy selector area 1030 may include a drop-down box for a number of adults 1032 and a number of children 1034. Additional rooms may be added to the query by selecting the Add Room link 1036.

[0085] With reference to FIG. 11, in one embodiment, a customer user may initiate a search after “landing” on an affiliate landing page such as exemplary landing page 1001 and utilizing free form entry box 1010 and search button 1010. In addition, free form entry input 1010 is available throughout navigation of the interface, enabling a user to search free form or focused within an affiliate profile.

[0086] With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 according to one embodiment, an add-on component of Search enables coupled Search via a la carte selectable Item Categories housed in a shopping-cart like function. With reference to FIGS. 14 and 22, these add-on functions can also be implemented post initial transaction in that customers may recall their transaction through a historical interface and add Search items to their existing purchase such as illustrated in section 1070. The customer user may further specify the search input (trip details) engine by selecting a check-in time/date, a check-out time/date via date pickers 1075. In a preferred embodiment, items from more than one affiliate may be added to the shopping cart function for a single checkout transaction.

[0087] With reference to FIG. 15, according to one embodiment search by Category within Search Engine Input may be enabled. Users can not only Search specific ‘items’ by system recognized type-ahead, but also ‘category segments’ such as Destinations 1080, Affiliates (e.g., hotels) 1082, Amenities 1084, Services 1086 and Food & Beverage 1088.

[0088] Referring now to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, once a search query is entered in the search input (trip details) engine, the user's results 1650 will render in a search specific results display such as displays 1600, 1601 and 1602. Users can then sort based on a sort preference 1620 and select an affiliate based on their unique search criteria. Displays 1600, 1601 and 1602 may include a breadcrumb indicator 1610. If a user identifies an acceptable result in the list, the user may select a book now link 1660 to effectuate the booking and/or ticketing process.

[0089] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate time band pricing and the pop-up screens presented to a user where pricing is time band dependent. In FIG. 19, pop-up screen 1603 illustrates that certain amenity types have been configured for varying prices according to time of day as well as day of the week. In FIG. 20, pop-up screen 1604 illustrates that certain room types, if available, have been configured for varying prices according to day of the week. In some embodiments, pricing may be algorithmically based on availability; for instance, if twenty of an item are available, the price may be lower than if only one or two are available.

[0090] With reference to FIG. 22, according to one embodiment, an Extension component 1670 of Search can also be implemented post initial transaction to be recalled and queried for inventory availability of the selected item to extend the reservation for a designated increment of time. The customer user interface may include an extension time selector 1673, confirmation request selection 167 4 and extension request selection 1675. If special requests are made, including additional item transactions, human operators can optionally work in tandem with the technical systems via the “Concierge Instructions” input form 1671. This function can be performed at the company level or input from the affiliate interface. Lastly, add-on Search items to the existing purchase, as in Check-Out, can be aggregated through this Reservation Details 1672 historical interface for a single transaction assuming inventory availability prior to the selected date/time inputs. Subsequent search and purchases can otherwise be accounted for.

[0091] FIG. 23 illustrates a partial display screen 2300 of a selected exemplary affiliate profile page. The customer user has the ability to review available offerings in detail, including images and spatial renderings 2340, narrative 2330, amenities listings 2320 and desired amenity 2310. Interface 2305 synopsizes the search and booking criteria and provides a link to book the accommodation or ticket the event. Breadcrumb indicator 2350 permits a user to see progression of the booking process and return to previous steps and screens.

[0092] FIG. 24 illustrates a partial screen shot 2400 of a page by which the customer user may interact with a payment gateway to confirm feature selections. The page comprises billing information area 2420, guest information area 2430 and hotel concierge instructions area 2440. In one embodiment, communications input in this field cause a communication, e.g., an e-mail, to be sent to the concierge in conjunction with the check-out confirmation, notifying the affiliate of the customer's request. Once the user is certain of their desire to book the feature shown at point 2410, the customer user can “book” their selection and they will receive a confirmation. Meanwhile, both the affiliate and the system provider will receive payment for product/services purchased via a third party processing partner. FIG. 25 illustrates a partial screen shot of an exemplary a la carte shopping cart check-out showing accommodation and amenity policies and cancellation terms 2418 (providable by affiliates using the APAP interface) and a summary of the check-out transaction 2416. A terms of service check box 2412 and “book” button 2414 are included. Users are enabled to edit and delete items in the cart and one or more items from one or more affiliates can be accumulated in the cart. Additional items may be added by executing a new search in a persistent search query box 1010 as may be provided throughout the interface as described above with reference to FIG. 11.

[0093] In an exemplary user experience flow, a user may interact with user interface 1000 as shown in FIG. 10, by typing, e.g., “helicopter” into box 1010. The interface may render a categorized type-ahead drop-down box as illustrated in FIG. 15 from which the user may select “helicopter” from exemplary category section 1084. The user would then be presented with Trip Details interface as illustrated in FIG. 13 wherein the user would be enabled to specify dates and times. Upon selecting the item pricing link 1057, the user would be presented with a rate matrix 1603 such as that illustrated in FIG. 19. Upon selecting the desired item from rate matrix 1603, the user would then be presented with an item accounting Trip Details interface as illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the user would see the selected helicopter item in section 1070 and be enabled to specify additional requests using section 1056. For example, if the user selected “+Add Room,” the user would then be presented with a room rate selection matrix such as 1607 illustrated in FIG. 21. Upon selecting a room accommodation, returning to the Trip Details interface and then selecting “Book It!”, the user would then be presented with an a la carte shopping cart check-out summary 2405 as illustrated in FIG. 25, whereupon the user can review the transaction details, complete the booking or make changes.

[0094] FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary affiliate user interaction with the system. The affiliate user generally starts interaction with system at the Home UI; however, once a profile is created the steps can be circumnavigated. The affiliate may login to access an existing Affiliate Profile or create an affiliate login.

[0095] Based on the affiliate user input, the system stores the user assets as artifacts in within the inventory control system. The affiliate profile administrator profile (“APAP”) is the dashboard interface that enables both affiliate users and human operators to work in tandem to maintain affiliate profiles. The interface is maintained within the inventory control system. As affiliate assets are uploaded into the system, the data is interpreted into artifacts used to recall affiliate capabilities for product/services offerings. This system is both static and/or dynamic with affiliate systems; including the ability to work in tandem with human operators. Human operators serve a supportive function as needed.

[0096] The affiliate profile comprises dedicated representations of affiliate information data within an interface that enables users to examine and select offerings of products/services available for purchase. These are rendered via search to the customer user. The affiliate profile is produced by the system through data transfer channels exchanging affiliate assets statically and/or dynamically to APAP.

[0097] Affiliate profile general capabilities refers to affiliates common space offerings. Maintained within APAP, the system delineates capabilities between common and subordinate spaces. Subordinate capabilities refers to affiliates private space offerings.

[0098] FIG. 27 illustrates a partial screen shot 2700 of the hotel amenities section where the affiliate can select their standard amenities and/or special services in section 2710. Here the affiliate can also create new features by selecting add 2712 and typing the feature into a text box such as box 2714. Alternatively, the affiliate can eliminate a predetermined input for feature. Generally, items in this section are available to the entire space in scope; in this example, the affiliate is a hotel.

[0099] The hotel images section 2720 attributes images, e.g., photo 2729, to the bookable/reservable/purchasable food & beverage, amenities and/or special services through a sub-interface (not shown) that enables dynamically priced features coupled by availability. Affiliate users may click add 2722, enter a feature into box 2724 and select its category with check box selections 2726, 2727 and 2728. Both sections may provide searchable features to users. Breadcrumb indicator 2750 permits the user to see progression of the process and return to previous steps and screens.

[0100] FIG. 28 illustrates a partial screen shot of an exemplary room's amenities screen 2800. If the affiliate user has an alternative component of their availability for product or service offerings, such as rooms, the APAP interface allows for more specific search and purchase of said feature capabilities. The room amenities section 2810 is where the affiliate can select their standard features separately from the affiliate itself. Here the affiliate can also create new features by selecting add 2812 and typing the feature into a box such as text box 2814. Alternatively, the affiliate can eliminate a pre-input amenity and/or special service by deselecting an associated check box. Generally, items in this section are available to the entire space; in this example, the affiliate is a room within a hotel.

[0101] The room types section 2820 attributes images to the bookable/reservable/purchasable food & beverage, amenities and/or special services through a sub-interface (not shown) that enables dynamically priced features coupled by availability. Room photos such as photo 2829 may be added and room details may be added, deleted or updated using controls area 2824. Both sections provide searchable features to users. Breadcrumb indicator 2850 permits the user to see progression of the process and return to previous steps and screens.

[0102] In another embodiment, a module interface can be placed or embedded within an affiliate and/or vendor site and/or displayable on a customer device providing for search, availability and purchase of features such as amenities and/or special services and/or food/beverage. The module interface may also handle a booking query for a desired room configuration through the network gateway, with said external provider.

[0103] Embodiments of the present invention may interface with affiliates' general inventory and/or sales/revenue modules by enabling import of data to the APAP. For example, comma separated value (CSV) format files from small hotels or travel affiliates may categorize their inventory in simple tables (e.g., room types in rows and days of the week in columns—allowing pricing to be different according to supply and demand). Affiliates can maintain these tables feature with a spreadsheet program, export the data and then utilize the system's upload>export feature to populate APAP's input forms with the rows (e.g., rooms, items, amenities, services, food and beverages; tables) and columns (e.g., days of the week). Pricing may change across the week via ADR (Average Daily Rate) for any category (e.g., rooms, items, amenities, services, food and beverage) as well as within finer granularities such as time bands during a particular 24-hour period. See FIGS. 19 and 20 for examples of varying granularities for time-based pricing. Pricing may be further managed by adjusting for promotional periods, either by the affiliate or system operators.

[0104] Referring next to FIGS. 29 and 30, shown are schematic block diagrams of an exemplary server 100 and exemplary customer device 160, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The server 100 and customer device 160 include respective processors 2955, 3055 and memory(ies)/storage media 2950, 3050, both of which are coupled to local interfaces 2960, 3060. The local interface 2960, 3060 may comprise, for example, a data bus with an accompanying address/control bus or other bus structure as can be appreciated. The customer device 160 includes a display 166 coupled to the local interface 3060 to allow the processor 3055 to apply visual data to the display 166, such as a user interface generated by the customer application 162. Display 166 may be a holographic display, super imposed display image or augmented reality display. In some embodiments, the server 100 and/or customer device 160 can include other elements that are coupled to their respective local interfaces 2960, 3060 such as a location system 168 configured to obtain location, proximity or position data and other systems as can be appreciated. In addition, the customer device 160 may include customer input 164 such as a touch-screen, keyboard, toggles, mouse and push buttons. Server 100 and customer device 160 further include a network interface 2965, 3065, coupled to local interface 2960, 3060. Network interface 2965, 3065 is adapted to allow server 100 and customer device 160 to communicate with each other and other network resources through, for example, network 155 (see FIG. 1) which may be the internet, an intranet or other network system. Network interface 2965, 3065 may employ a protocol such as TCP/IP and may communicate on a medium such as WiFi, wired Ethernet or other network media.

[0105] Stored in the respective memories 2950, 3050 are several components that are executable by the processors 2955, 3055. In particular, stored in the memory 2950 of the server 100 are booking module 2920, affiliate profile administrator module 2922, payment module 2932, GDS module 2934, PMS module 2936, CRM module 2937, CRS module 2938 and data store 116. Stored in the memory 3050 of the customer device 160 may be the customer application 162 and other data and applications. It is understood that there may be other applications that are stored in the memories 2950, 3050 and are executable by the respective processors 2955, 3055 as can be appreciated. Where any component discussed herein is implemented in the form of software, it may be in the respective machine code of processor 2955, 3055 or based upon a source programming language such as, for example, C, C++, Java, Java Script, Perl, PHP, Python, Flash, and/or other programming languages.

[0106] A number of software components are stored in the respective memories 2950, 3050 and are executable by the respective processors 2955, 3055. In this respect, the term “executable” means a program file that is in a form that can ultimately be run by the processors 2955, 3055. Examples of executable programs may be, for example, a compiled program that can be translated into machine code in a format that can be loaded into a random access portion of the memory 2950, 3050 and run by a respective processor 2955, 3055, source code that may be expressed in proper format such as object code that is capable of being loaded into a random access portion of the memory 2950, 3050 and executed by a processor 2955, 3055, or source code that may be interpreted by another executable program to generate instructions in a random access portion of the memory 2950, 3050 to be executed by a processor 2955, 3055, etc. An executable program may be stored in any portion or component of the memory 2950, 3050 including, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive, solid-state drive, USB flash drive, memory card, optical disc such as compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, magnetic tape, or other memory components.

[0107] The memory 2950, 3050 is defined herein as both volatile and nonvolatile memory and data storage components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power. Thus, the memory 2950, 3050 may comprise, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory cards accessed via a memory card reader, floppy disks accessed via an associated floppy disk drive, optical discs accessed via an optical disc drive, magnetic tapes accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components. In addition, the RAM may comprise, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices. The ROM may comprise, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other like memory device. Although described herein as a single memory and a single processor, it should be recognized that both distributed memory and distributed processing are encompassed in the present invention. Such distributed memory may be distributed in any of several known ways, such as but not limited to distributed by type of data or distributed across a plurality of data stores housed in different locations. Similarly, distributed processing includes any of several known ways including but not limited to processor arrays and a plurality of different processors located in different locations performing different types of functions.

[0108] In addition, the processor 2955, 3055 may represent multiple processors and the memory 2950, 3050 may represent multiple memories that operate in parallel. In such a case, the local interface 2960, 3060 may be an appropriate network that facilitates communication between any two of the multiple processors, between any processor and any one of the memories, or between any two of the memories etc. The local interface 2960, 3060 may comprise additional systems designed to coordinate this communication, including, for example, performing load balancing. The processor 2955, 3055 may be of electronic or of some other available construction.

[0109] It can be appreciated that affiliate device 180, shown in FIG. 1, may utilize a processor, memory, bus, and network interface architecture similar to that depicted for server 100 or customer device 160 as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, respectively.

[0110] Although various systems and applications mentioned above may be depicted as being embodied in software or code executed by general purpose hardware such as processor-based systems as discussed above, as an alternative the same may also be embodied in dedicated hardware or a combination of software/general purpose hardware and dedicated hardware. If embodied in dedicated hardware, such systems and applications can be implemented as a circuit or state machine that employs any one of or a combination of a number of technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing various logic functions upon an application of one or more data signals, application specific integrated circuits having appropriate logic gates, programmable circuits such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other components, etc.

[0111] Although the flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 26 show a specific order of execution, it is understood that the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. For example, the order of execution of two or more blocks may be scrambled relative to the order shown. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 26 may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. In addition, any number of counters, state variables, warning semaphores, or messages might be added to the logical flow described herein, for purposes of enhanced utility, accounting, performance measurement, or providing troubleshooting aids, etc. It is understood that all such variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0112] Also, where various systems and applications described herein comprise software or code, each can be embodied in any tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system such as, for example, a processor in a computer system or other system. In this sense, such systems or applications may comprise, for example, statements including instructions and declarations that can be fetched from the computer-readable medium and executed by the instruction execution system. In the context of the present disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” can be any tangible, non-transitory medium that can contain, store, or maintain the above-described systems and applications for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system. The computer readable medium can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of a suitable computer-readable medium would include, but are not limited to, magnetic tapes, magnetic floppy diskettes, magnetic hard drives, memory cards, solid-state drives, Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives, or optical discs. Also, the computer-readable medium may be a random access memory (RAM) including, for example, static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM). In addition, the computer-readable medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other type of memory device.

[0113] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the claims.