Extended PNR Structure for Non-GDS Content Access
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional travel management systems are limited in accessing and managing non-GDS content due to standardization constraints, requiring costly and complex self-implementation by travel agents and involving static conversion approaches that are not scalable for handling new content types.
Innovation Solution
A content management system that dynamically manages both standard and non-standard content through an extended record data structure, using a client/server architecture and data exchange units to handle messages in standardized and non-standard formats, allowing seamless integration and manipulation of various content types without recoding internal applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional travel management systems use standard PNR data structures to manage content, then compliance with IATA standards is achieved, but the ability to handle non-GDS content is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PNR data structure into a standard portion (for IATA compliance) and an extended portion (for non-GDS content). The standard PNR fields maintain IATA standardization while the extended fields accommodate heterogeneous non-GDS content types, allowing the system to satisfy both compliance requirements and versatility needs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing extended content fields within the existing PNR structure. The extended PNR portion is nested inside the standard PNR framework, allowing non-GDS content to be contained within the standardized container without compromising the outer standard compliance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If travel agents implement non-GDS content access directly, then access to diverse content is achieved, but implementation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal extended PNR structure that can accommodate multiple content types (GDS and non-GDS) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for travel agents to implement separate solutions for different content types, as the system handles all content types uniformly through the extended PNR mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the extended PNR structure) between the travel management system and non-GDS content providers. This intermediary absorbs the complexity of handling diverse content formats, shielding travel agents from the underlying complexity while enabling them to access diverse content through a simplified interface.
3Ease of manufacture
If static conversion approaches are used for content format conversion, then current content handling is achieved, but scalability for new content types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static conversion approaches to dynamic handling by using the extended PNR structure that can adapt to new content types as they arise. The extended portion of the PNR can dynamically accommodate new content formats without requiring system recoding, enabling the system to evolve with new content types while maintaining ease of current content handling.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products for accessing content in a travel management system. A request is received from an application to access a standard data element and a non-standard data element from an extended record data structure based at least in part upon access criteria. A plurality of attributes of a data container associated with the non-standard data element are filtered based at least in part upon a plurality of predefined filtering rules in order to generate filtered attributes. An abstract container is generated that includes the filtered attributes of the non-standard data element and that is assigned a unique abstract type.