Apparatus and method for an internet based computer reservation booking system

An apparatus comprising:

• a reservation booking database means having a plurality of records, the plurality of records corresponding to a plurality of time-slots for tables at a restaurant;
• a web site module means for creating an Internet web site to enable an Internet user to book a table at the restaurant, the web site module means further comprising:
• a time-slot display module means for displaying one or more available time-slots corresponding to one or more tables at the restaurant's place of business;
• and
• a booking module means for enabling the Internet user to book one of the available time-slots in the reservation booking database;
• and
• a restaurant maintenance module means for providing the restaurant access to the restaurants table reservation booking database means, the restaurant maintenance module means further comprising:
• a table reservation management module means for enabling the restaurant to book time-slots in the reservation booking database means to reserve tables at the restaurant for customers not making bookings over the Internet
• a first computer means located at the restaurant, the first computer means configured to store a first copy of the reservation booking database means;
• a second computer means located at a location remote from the restaurant, the second computer means configured to store a second copy of the reservation booking database means;
• and
• the first computer means being connected to the second computer means through the internet, the first computer means being configured to be connected to the internet using an always connected, non-dial up connection, to the internet so that the first computer means and the second computer means can synchronize the second copy of the reservation booking database means when the first copy of the reservation booking database on the first computer means is updated.

A reservation system comprising:

• a reservation booking database having a plurality of records, the plurality of records corresponding to a plurality of time-slots for tables at a selected restaurant;
• a central computing location configured to host an Internet web site for booking reservations:
• an Internet search module configured to identify the selected restaurant in response to a search request submitted by an Internet user to identify the selected restaurant affiliated with the web site;
• a time-slot display module configured to display one or more available time-slots each corresponding to one or more tables at the selected restaurant's place of business;
• and
• a booking module configured to permit the Internet user to book one of the available time-slots to reserve the corresponding table in the reservation booking database;
• a local computer located at the selected restaurant, the local computer configured to cooperate with the central computing location and including a table reservation management module configured to permit the selected restaurant to book timeslots in the reservation booking database to reserve tables at the selected restaurant for customers not making bookings over the Internet;
• the local computer being further configured to store the reservation booking database;
• the central computing location being further configured to store a second copy of the reservation booking database;
• and
• the local computer being connected to the central computing location through an always on non-dial up connection to the internet so that the local computer and the central computing location can synchronize the second copy of the reservation booking database when the first copy of the reservation booking database on the local computer is updated.

A method comprising:

• providing a first restaurant a first reservation booking database having a plurality of records, the plurality of records corresponding to a plural of time-slots for tables at the first restaurant
• providing a restaurant table reservation management module configured to enable the first restaurant to book time-slots in the first reservation booking database to reserve the tables at the first restaurant for customers not making bookings over the Internet;
• providing an Internet booking module configured to enable an Internet user to book an available one of the timeslots to reserve one of the tables at the first restaurant;
• and
• providing a first computer at the first restaurant, the first computer configured to maintain the first reservation booking database;
• providing a copy of the first reservation booking database at a central computing location;
• providing an always on non-dial-up internet connection between the first computer and the central computing location;
• and
• updating the copy of the first reservation booking database in substantially real time when the first restaurant books time-slots in the first reservation booking database to reserve tables for customers not making bookings over the Internet.

An apparatus comprising:

• a reservation booking database having a plurality of records, the plurality of records corresponding to a plurality of time-slots for tables at a restaurant;
• a web site module configured to create an Internet web site to enable an Internet user to book a table at the restaurant, the web site module further comprising:
• a time-slot display module configured to display one or more available time-slots corresponding to one or more tables at the restaurant's place of business;
• and
• a booking module configured to enable the Internet user to book one of the available time-slots in the reservation booking database;
• and
• a restaurant maintenance module configured to provide the restaurant access to the restaurant's table reservation booking database, the restaurant maintenance module further comprising:
• a table reservation management module configured to enable the restaurant to book time-slots in the reservation booking database to reserve tables at the restaurant for customers not making bookings over the Internet;
• a first computer located at the restaurant, the first computer configured to store a first copy of the reservation booking database;
• a second computer located at a location remote from the restaurant, the second computer configured to store a second copy of the reservation booking database;
• and
• the first computer being connected to the second computer through the internet the first computer is configured to be connected to the internet using an always connected, non-dial up connection, to the internet so that the first computer and the second computer can synchronize the second copy of the reservation booking database when the first copy of the reservation booking database on the first computer is updated.