Kevin M Mcconnell

US Patent:

20100004958, Jan 7, 2010

Filed:

Jul 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/166855

Inventors:

Bryan A. Ackermann - Fairfax VA, US
Michael L. Fleishman - Oxford CT, US
Kevin C. Mcconnell - Austin TX, US
Robert G. Oesterlin - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

705 5

Abstract:

A method is disclosed to intelligently reroute stranded travelers. The method includes receiving in a computer, a message from a customer containing preferences for travel services, including willingness to accept alternative travel services, and storing the preferences in a customer database. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from the customer containing a trip plan that includes at least one segment with a desired mode of transportation, a desired departure location, a desired time, and a desired destination, and storing the trip plan in the customer database. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from at least one travel service, including available scheduling for the at least one segment, and data for alternative times and modes of transportation, and storing the available scheduling and the data. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from the customer agreeing to the available scheduling for the at least one segment. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from the at least one travel service, that the agreed to scheduling for the at least one segment has become unavailable. The method then includes accessing the preferences and the data. The method then includes determining acceptable alternative times and modes of transportation from the data and the preferences for the at least one segment. The method then includes automatically scheduling one of the acceptable alternative times and modes of transportation for the at least one segment. And finally, the method includes sending a notification to the customer of the automatically scheduled alternative time and mode of transportation for the at least one segment.