AU2008355460A1 - Flexible accommodation booking system - Google Patents

Description

WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 FLEXIBLE ACCOMMODATION BOOKING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION [OO1]The present invention relates to travel booking. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible online booking. BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART [002]Generally, travelers who intend to book accommodation in boats, cruises, yacht and hotels among others call up owners or operators of boats, cruises, yacht and hotels and convey their requirements to a customer care executive. Customer care executives provide them with options available that comply with travelers' requirements. Later, travelers make a decision based on the options available. However, travelers may not be able to take the right decision as the options available are conveyed to them over phone, and travelers may not remember all the options available. Additionally, travelers may not be able to decide which option would be more suitable and economically apt for them. Additionally, this methodology of booking may be expensive for the owners or operators as they need to employ customer care executives to facilitate this approach of booking accommodation. [003]In order to minimize the number of customer care executives employed by owners and operators, online booking is provided that enables travelers to book accommodation via the internet in real time. For making bookings online, a user of a data processing system opens a booking portal of owners or operators of boats, cruises, yacht or hotels among others. Users enter details of travelers for whom accommodation needs to be booked. The details may include number of travelers, gender of the travelers and age group of the travelers. Additionally, users enter the type of accommodation desired. Later, users search for accommodation available. Users are then provided with search results. The result page may provide costing of the accommodation if the desired accommodation is available, else user may be asked to modify search criteria. If users prefer to book different types of accommodation for different travelers, they may have to do booking in different booking sessions. Users may not know the booking rules of an accommodation, and choose an accommodation for a traveler which may contradict the booking rules of that 1 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 accommodation. [004]Jn light of the foregoing discussion there is a need for an online booking system that reduces cost incurred by owners and operators of boats, cruises, yacht and hotels for facilitating booking, by minimizing human intervention in the booking process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [005]An object of the invention is to provide online booking system that reduces cost incurred by owners and operators of boats, cruises, yacht and hotels for facilitating booking, by minimizing human intervention in the booking process. [006]Another object of the invention is to provide an online booking system that enables the users of the system to book accommodation with less effort. [007]Jn one aspect of the invention a method for booking accommodation using a data processing system is provided. The method includes, entering details of entities for whom accommodation is being booked in an internet based user interface. The user interface displays graphical representations of the entities based on gender and age of the entities that is entered by the user. The user interface displays graphically various types of accommodation that are available for booking. The user selects one or more types of accommodation for the entities by dragging the graphical representation of the entities and dropping them into the one or more types of accommodation available for booking that is displayed graphically. Additionally, for each accommodation booking rules are defined. The booking rules may be, defining the maximum number of entities that can be accommodated in the accommodation, defining the gender of the entities that can be accommodated in the accommodation, defining the age group of the entities that can be accommodated in the accommodation and defining if the accommodation can be shared with other entities. If a user selects an accommodation that contradicts the booking rules of that accommodation then an error message is displayed. Based on the selection made by the user, the booking rules of an accommodation may be changed if necessary. [008]These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without 2 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [009]The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: [0010]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0011]FIG. 2a and 2b is a flowchart of a method for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0012]FIG. 3a and 3b shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0013]FIG. 4 shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0014]FIG. 5 shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0015]FIG. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g and 6h shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0016]FIG. 7 shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; [0017]FIG. 8a and 8b shows a booking summary in a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0018]The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to 3 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. [0019]As mentioned, there remains a need for a method for booking accommodation using a data processing system. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. [0020]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A user may use their data processing system that is connected to the internet to access a website that enables booking or reserving accommodation in real time. The website may enable booking accommodation in hotels, boats, cruises and yacht among others. After accessing the website, the user at step 102 enters details of entities for whom accommodation needs to be booked. The details entered by the user may include one or more of, gender of the entities, age group (adult, children, infant), names, activities that the entities would take part in during their stay, and nationality of the entities among others. Subsequently, the website displays graphical representation of the entities at step 104. In an embodiment of the invention, the graphical representation may be based on the gender of the entities. In another embodiment, the graphical representation may be based on the gender and age group of the entities. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the graphical representation may be based on the gender, age group of the entities and the activities that the entities would take part in during their stay. The website page apart from enabling the user to enter details into the website, it also displays various type of accommodation that is available for booking. The various type of accommodation may be represented graphically, thus providing the user an idea of the setup in the various accommodations that are available for booking. At step 108, the user selects accommodation of the required type from the various accommodations available for booking. For selecting the accommodation, the user drags the graphical representation of the entity and drops it into the graphical representation of the accommodation which the user desires to book for the entity. [0021]FIG. 2a and 2b is a flowchart of a method for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A user may use their data processing system that is connected to the internet to access a website that enables booking or reserving accommodation in real time. The website may enable booking 4 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 accommodation in hotels, boats, cruises and yacht among others. After accessing the website, the user at step 202 enters details of entities for whom accommodation needs to be booked. The details entered by the user may include one or more of, gender of the entities, age group (adult, children, infant), names, activities that the entities would take part in during their stay, and nationality of the entities, among others. Subsequently, the website displays graphical representation of the entities at step 204. In an embodiment of the invention, the graphical representation may be based on the gender of the entities. In another embodiment, the graphical representation may be based on the gender and age group of the entities. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the graphical representation may be based on the gender, age group of the entities and the activities that the entities would take part in during their stay. The website page apart from enabling the user to enter details into the website, it also displays various type of accommodation that is available for booking. The various type of accommodation may be represented graphically, thus providing the user an idea of the setup in the various accommodations that are available for booking. In addition to displaying graphical representation of the various accommodations, the webpage also displays booking rules of the accommodations. In an embodiment of the present invention, the booking rules may include, defining maximum number of entities that may be accommodated in a type of accommodation, defining the gender of entities that may be accommodated in an accommodation, defining the age group of entities that may be accommodated an accommodation, defining if an accommodation can be shared with one or more entities for whom the booking is made with other entities who are unknown to the entities for whom the booking is being made. At step 208, the user selects an accommodation of the required type from the various accommodations available for booking. For selecting the accommodation, the user drags the graphical representation of an entity and drops it into the graphical representation of the accommodation which the user desires to book for the entity. Subsequently, at step 210, the selection made by the user is verified and ascertained if the selection contradicts the booking rules of the selected accommodation. If, the selection contradicts the booking rules of the selected accommodation, then an error message is displayed to the user at step 212. In, an embodiment of the invention, the error message may display the booking rules that were contradicted by the selection. After, displaying the error message, the user may be allowed to make a new selection. However, if the selection does not contradict the booking rules of the selected 5 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 accommodation, then at step 214, verification is made to check whether any change in the booking rules of the selected accommodation need to be made. If, any changes in the booking rules are required, the changes are made at step 216 and the accommodation is selected at step 222 if the user does not wish to change his selection. In, an embodiment of the invention, the user may change the selection made, by dragging and dropping the graphical representation of the entity from the accommodation already selected into a new accommodation. After, the user finishes selecting accommodation for the entities; he may proceed to the next step of booking at step 224. In an embodiment of the invention, the next step after finishing the selection may be proceeding to the payment process. [0022]The invention provides a method for booking accommodation in boats, cruises, yacht and hotels, among others, using a data processing system. Below is an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which accommodation is booked in a cruise. EXAMPLE [0023]FIG. 3a and 3b shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3a and 3b are displayed on the same webpage. The interface shown in FIG. 3a enables a user to enter details of entities for whom accommodation needs to be booked. The user enters the age group, gender and name of the entities. In an embodiment of the invention the activity details and nationality of the entity may be entered in FIG. 3a. FIG. 3b is a graphic user interface that displays the various types of accommodation that are available for booking. Each accommodation has a graphical representation to provide the user an idea of the setup of the accommodation. For each accommodation the booking rules are also displayed. In an embodiment of the various types of accommodations available for booking are deluxe cabin, standard cabin, superior cabin and suite cabin. The booking rules that are displayed with the accommodation may be the maximum number of entities that the cabin may accommodate, age group restrictions, availability of the cabin for sharing, sharing options available and gender of the entities who may share the accommodation. In an embodiment of the invention, along with showing the booking rules of an accommodation, details of an entity who has already booked a part of that accommodation may be shown. The details may include, the sharing configuration type, gender of the entity, age group, activities, and nationality of the entity. In the 6 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 user interface shown in FIG. 3b, the deluxe cabin section has a graphical representation of the cabin, additionally; the booking rules are also displayed. The cabin is available for male triple sharing and in which infants and children can not be booked. A part of the cabin has been booked by an adult male who will not be involved in surfing activities. The nationality of the adult male is provided by showing the flag of the country to which he belongs. [0024]For booking the accommodation, the user enters the details of the entities. FIG. 4 shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The user uses the drop downs provided in the interface to enter the details. The drop downs may be used to enter the age group, gender, activities and nationality. Accordingly, a graphical representation appears based on the details entered. FIG. 4 shows a user interface in which the details have been entered. [0025]After entering the details of the entities, the user may select the accommodation by dragging the graphical representation (icon) of an entity and dropping it into the graphical representation of the desired accommodation. FIG. 5 shows a web based user interface for booking accommodation online, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 5 the user drags the icon representing "Peter Pullin" from the section where the details were entered into a section where "Superior Cabin" is displayed. After the icon is dragged and dropped, the "Superior Cabin" section displays the details of "Peter Pullin". Additionally, rate of the package is displayed in the same section. In an embodiment, the rate displayed is for a single male adult non-surfer. In an embodiment, after all the icons are dragged from the section where the details are entered and dropped into the section displaying the cabins, a pop-up appears in one or more of the cabins into which the icons are dropped. In an embodiment, the pop-ups appear for cabins in which sharing facility was available and in which vacant beds are remaining after all icons have been dragged from the section where the details were entered. In an embodiment, a window is popped out as shown in FIG. 6a, in which the user is enquired if he wishes to share the accommodation with another traveler of the same gender. If the user chooses "No", then the accommodation is selected exclusively for the entity and sharing is not permitted. The cabin is closed as a Single occupant cabin as shown in FIG. 6d. In an embodiment, if two persons were dragged and dropped into the Superior cabin in FIG. 5 and they decided NOT to share, then the cabin would not be available for sharing 7 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 and the cabin would be closed and reserved exclusively for these entities and charged as a 'Double or Twin' accommodation cabin as shown in FIG. 6h. The same applies for three guests being dragged in FIG 5, the cabin would not be available for sharing and the cabin would be closed and charged as a 'Triple' accommodation cabin. However, if the user chooses "Yes", then another window is popped out which provides him the different sharing options available (twin, triple or quad). As soon as the entity chooses a sharing type the rate for that sharing type will be displayed immediately. In an embodiment, the cost of the package changes and is displayed for the various types of sharing options when selected by the user, thus assisting the user to make an informed decision. Two examples are provided to illustrate sharing. FIG. 6b & 6c depict a single user choosing a triple sharing option for the selected accommodation, and FIG. 6f & 6g depict the scenario whereby two entities have been dragged and dropped into the 'Superior cabin' and have elected to share a triple sharing cabin. Hence, in both scenarios this accommodation will be displayed to other users visiting the website as being available for triple sharing accommodation. Additionally, some or all of the personal details (age group, gender, activities, and nationality) of the guest/s may be displayed "Peter Pullen" in the first example and "Peter Pullen" and "John Martin" in the second example. [0026]In an embodiment of the invention, after the user enters the details of the entity, the section in which the details are entered may be moved to the left side of the webpage. After moving the section to the left, the section displaying the accommodations may be moved to the top of the webpage. This movement of the sections may make it easier for the user to drag and drop the icons. The section containing the details may now contain only the names and icons of the entity as displayed in FIG. 7. [0027]In an embodiment of the invention, a booking summary section may also be displayed along with the section provided for entering details of the entities and the section displaying the various accommodations available for booking. The summary section after the details of the entities are entered may look similar to the summary section shown in FIG 8a. After, the user finishes selecting accommodation for the entities whose details he had entered, the summary section may look similar to the summary section shown in FIG. 8b. [0028]The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the 8 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 9

Claims (18)

1. A method for booking accommodation using a data processing system, the method comprising: a. entering details of one or more entities for whom accommodation is being booked, wherein the details are entered by an user of the data processing system; b. displaying a graphical representation of the one or more entities based on gender and age of the one or more entities that is entered by the user; c. displaying graphically one or more types of accommodation available for booking; and d. selecting one or more types of accommodation by dragging the graphical representation of the one or more entities and dropping the graphical representation into the one or more types of accommodation available for booking that is displayed graphically.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising defining booking rules for one or more types of accommodation.

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising displaying the booking rules to the user of the data processing system.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the booking rules for one or more types of accommodation includes at least one of: a. defining maximum number of entities that is accommodated in the one or more types of accommodation; b. defining the gender of one or more entities that is accommodated in the one or more types of accommodation; c. defining the age group of one or more entities that is accommodated in the one or more types of accommodation; and d. defining if the one or more types of accommodation can be shared with one or more entities for whom the booking is made with other one or more entities who are unknown to the one or more entities for whom the booking is being made.

5. The method according to claim 2, comprising displaying an error message if user drags and drops a graphical representation of one or more entities that 10 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564 contradict the booking rules of accommodation into which the graphical representation is dropped.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, changing the booking rules for one or more types of accommodation based on selection made by the user.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein entering details comprises entering gender of the entity and one or more of age group, name and nationality of the entity.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, changing the selection made by the user by dragging the graphical representation of an entity from the graphical representation of an accommodation into which the graphical representation was initially dropped, and dropping the graphical representation of the entity into another graphical representation of an accommodation which the user desires to select.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, displaying rate of the accommodation based on the selection made by the user.

10. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for booking accommodation using a data processing system, the computer program product comprising computer instructions enabling: a. entering details of one or more entities for whom accommodation is being booked, wherein the details are entered by an user of the data processing system; b. displaying a graphical representation of the one or more entities based on gender and age of the one or more entities that is entered by the user; c. displaying graphically one or more types of accommodation available for booking; and d. selecting one or more types of accommodation by dragging the graphical representation of the one or more entities and dropping the graphical representation into the one or more types of accommodation available for booking that is displayed graphically.

11. The computer program product according to claim 10, further comprising computer instruction for defining booking rules for one or more types of accommodation. 11 WO 2009/129557 PCT/AU2008/000564

12. The computer program product according to claim 11, comprising computer instruction for displaying the booking rules to the user of the data processing system.

13. The computer program product according to claim 11, comprising computer instruction for: a. defining maximum number of entities that is accommodated in the one or more types of accommodation; b. defining the gender of one or more entities that is accommodated in the one or more types of accommodation; c. defining the age group of one or more entities that is accommodated in the one or more types of accommodation; and d. defining if the one or more types of accommodation can be shared with one or more entities for whom the booking is made with other one or more entities who are unknown to the one or more entities for whom the booking is being made.

14. The computer program product according to claim 11, comprising computer instruction for displaying an error message if user drags and drops a graphical representation of one or more entities that contradict the booking rules of accommodation into which the graphical representation is dropped.

15. The computer program product according to claim 11, further comprising computer instruction for changing the booking rules for one or more types of accommodation based on selection made by the user.

16. The computer program product according to claim 10, comprising computer instructions enabling the user to enter gender of the entity and one or more of age group, name and nationality of the entity.

17. The computer program product according to claim 10, further comprising computer instruction for changing the selection made by the user by dragging the graphical representation of an entity from the graphical representation of an accommodation into which the graphical representation was initially dropped, and dropping the graphical representation of the entity into another graphical representation of an accommodation which the user desires to select.

18. The computer program product according to claim 10, further comprising computer instruction for displaying rate of the accommodation based on the selection made by the user. 12