Reservation Integration Framework for Travel Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for booking travel reservations and additional trip components are error-prone and disconnected, leading to issues with data integrity, fraud, and manual reconciliation challenges, particularly in the transition from online reservations to point-of-sale transactions and reconciliation processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a core adapter module, web service module, and distribution module that integrates reservation information across different formats and systems, enabling seamless electronic reservations and media activations, including the use of XML formats and database interactions to automate the reservation and reconciliation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual voucher processing is used at point-of-sale, then employees can accept reservations without electronic interfaces, but the process becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of voucher handling, paper-based reconciliation, and employee interpretation with an automated electronic system. The distribution framework electronically transmits reservation data from online services to provider systems, eliminating the need for physical vouchers and manual reconciliation processes, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution framework acts as an intermediary system between online reservation services and provider systems. It receives reservation data in various formats, standardizes it, and transmits it electronically to providers, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for manual voucher processing while ensuring accurate data transmission and reconciliation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data formats are used by different online reservation services, then each service can operate independently, but reconciliation becomes disconnected and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution framework is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple data formats from different online reservation services. It can receive, parse, and standardize various formats (XML, JSON, CSV, etc.) into a unified structure that provider systems can process, enabling compatibility with diverse services while simplifying the reconciliation process through standardization
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes data parameters by transforming reservation data from various formats into a standardized format. It adjusts data structure, encoding, and organization parameters based on the source format, converting them into a universal format that facilitates accurate reconciliation and reduces process complexity
3Quantity of substance
If paper vouchers are used for reservations, then guests receive physical confirmation, but the reconciliation process becomes manual and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper voucher system with electronic data transmission. Instead of printing and mailing physical vouchers that require manual collection and reconciliation, the system electronically transmits reservation data directly to provider systems, eliminating the time-consuming manual reconciliation process while maintaining guest confirmation through electronic means
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution framework performs preliminary action by transmitting reservation data to provider systems before the guest arrives or before reconciliation is needed. This advance electronic transmission allows providers to pre-process and validate reservation data, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual reconciliation at the point of service
4Ease of operation
If employees manually interpret vouchers at point-of-sale, then transactions can be processed without electronic integration, but authentication and accuracy become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual voucher interpretation with automated electronic data exchange. The distribution framework transmits structured reservation data directly to provider systems, which automatically authenticate and process transactions without requiring employee interpretation, thereby maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving authentication accuracy through systematic data validation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the distribution framework receives confirmation from provider systems about successful reservation processing. This automated feedback loop ensures accurate authentication and tracking of reservations without requiring manual verification by employees, improving precision while maintaining operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems according to embodiments of the present invention include a core adapter module configured to receive reservation information from a reservation system in a first format useable by the reservation system, a web service module configured to identify a provider system based on the reservation information and to place the reservation information into a second format useable by the provider system, and a distribution module configured to send the reservation information in the second format to the provider system. Methods according to embodiments of the present invention include receiving reservation information from a reservation system in a first format useable by the reservation system, identifying a provider system based on the reservation information, processing the reservation information to place the reservation information into a second format useable by the provider system, and sending the reservation information in the second format to the provider system.