US 2016/0260032 A1 · Web-Based Reservation Systems and Methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for optimizing web-based reservation systems involving a network of service providers and end-users are provided herein, including specific methods that improve the utilization of service providers. In a web-based software product or service that already incorporates a first method to communicate via a network and reactively facilitate transactions between registered service providers and registered users in a geographic region based on user demand and service provider availability, the additional use of a second method to improve the utilization of at least a first service provider with whom a first user transaction has already been facilitated by the said first method, wherein said second method proactively facilitates the next transaction between said first service provider and a second user.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a computer program product for an on-demand matchmaking service that already incorporates a first method to communicate via a network and reactively facilitate transactions between registered service providers and registered users in a geographic region based on user demand and service provider availability, the additional use of a second method to improve the utilization of at least a first service provider with whom a first user transaction has already been facilitated by said first method, wherein said second method proactively facilitates the next transaction between said first service provider and a second user.

An on-demand service reservation management method implemented as a computer program on at least one computer server in a communications network, where said server can communicate with other computing devices in the network that are owned by a plurality of registered customers and a plurality of registered service providers, said server also having access to at least one database that maintains information on at least (a) the last known location of each customer and each service provider, and (b) current availability status of each service provider, wherein said method comprises:

receiving a first service request from a first customer for a service to be provided within a first time interval at a first location;
accessing said database and matching said first request with service providers who are available to perform said first service within said first interval at said first location, thereby creating a list of available service providers;
creating a prioritized list of said available service providers based on the shortest distance between said first location and the location of each of said available service providers;
sending a series of communications, each with a pre-defined time limit for acceptance, offering said first request to each available service provider in the sequence of said prioritized list;
receiving a notification from a first available service provider accepting said offer;
calculating an approximate time when said first available service provider will complete service at said first location and be available to provide services to a customer other than said first customer within a specified distance from said first location;
accessing said database and matching customers, other than first customer, who are located within said specified distance, to create a list of nearby customers;
sending a communication to all said nearby customers offering service by said first available service provider at a second time interval;
receiving a first acceptance from a first nearby customer;
and
reserving said first acceptance with said first available service provider.

8 more elements

receiving a first service request from a first customer for a service to be provided within a first time interval at a first location;
accessing said database and matching said first request with service providers who are available to perform said first service within said first interval at said first location, thereby creating a list of available service providers;
creating a prioritized list of said available service providers based on the shortest distance between said first location and the location of each of said available service providers;
sending a series of communications, each with a pre-defined time limit for acceptance, offering said first request to each available service provider in the sequence of said prioritized list;
receiving a notification from a first available service provider accepting said offer;
receiving a notification from said first available service provider that service has been completed at said first location;
accessing said database and matching customers, other than first customer, who are located within said specified distance, to create a list of nearby customers;
sending a communication to all said nearby customers offering service by said first available service provider immediately and up to a specified second time;
receiving a first acceptance from a first nearby customer;
and
reserving said first acceptance with said first available service provider.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Web-Based Reservation Systems and Methods

Life of this patent

Web-Based Reservation Systems and Methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20