The present invention relates to a method for providing information to users, and to a system of computers programmed for execution of such method.

Electronic search systems, such as internet-based search robots, are widely known. In order to retrieve information, the user puts in search criteria in a computer, and by means of reply, the computer loads, possibly over a network, information from existing databases of providers. The information thus loaded is quickly provided to the user. Such search systems have the disadvantage that the resulting information depends on the quality and relevancy of the existing databases. The resulting information is not always up to date and/or in accordance with the users’ needs. Furthermore, searching for the requested information in a large database consumes large amounts of time, memory and energy. It is possible that the computer is unable to provide satisfying information to the user on the basis of the search criteria, for example because the databases do not possess suitable information. Also the search criteria may be inadequately chosen and/or misinterpreted by the computer, such that the information may be totally out of context and the user is obliged to define alternative search criteria to hopefully retrieve the desired information in a few tries.

The present invention in the first place aims at providing an alternative for the methods of providing information to users from the state of the art. In accordance with several preferred embodiments a solution is provided for one or more of the disadvantages and/or problems with the search systems of the prior art.

To this aim, the invention, in accordance with a first independent aspect thereof, provides a method for providing information of providers to users, wherein the method at least comprises the following steps:

- the step of a user inputting search criteria in a first computer;

- the step of electronically transmitting a request for information to providers that meet or possibly meet one or more of the search criteria and/or whose information may meet one or more of the search criteria;

-the step of collecting information from the respective providers in an information database;

- the step of providing said information database to said user.

Because the providers are selected on the basis of search criteria from the user, it is obtained that the information eventually provided to the user is obtained from a group of providers that, with a high probability of success, may provide satisfying information. The selected group of providers may be best suited to interpret the search criteria sent to them, thereby avoiding numerous trials. The obtained information database can be compact, and may exclusively, or substantially, comprise relevant information, by which less time, memory and energy is needed to reach a good result. A more satisfying search result may be reached with less bandwidth on the electronic connection. Because the providers receive an electronic request for information and, by means of their reply, provide their information in the information database, an utterly up-to-date and dedicated result can be obtained.

In combination with the search criteria, the group of providers may be further filtered using restrictive data from one or more of the respective providers. A provider may for example prefer not to deliver information to providers resident in certain countries. The restrictive data may relate to the type of request that the provider is willing or not willing to accept, and/or to the type of user that the provider is willing or not willing to provide information to, e.g. only adults, only loyal users.

Preferably, said providers that meet or possibly meet one or more of said search criteria are automatically selected from a provider database, on the basis of said search criteria, possibly enriched with data concerning the relevant preferences of said user. Said provider database may be specifically compiled in accordance with the type of search. For example, a database may be applied containing hotel contact data, in the case where the method is applied for searching an available hotel room. From such provider database, providers are selected which possible may fulfill the search criteria of the user. The group of providers may be further filtered using restrictive data. For example some hotels may only wish to accept request that relate to a stay of maximum three days, or may only wish to accept request from users that fulfil certain loyalty standards, such as from users holding a recognized loyalty card. When searching an available hotel room in Brussels, for example, only such providers are requested for information that have a hotel in Brussels or in the immediate vicinity of Brussels. The used search criteria may be enriched with data concerning the user. For example, if the user has indicated, either, consciously by ticking a box or putting a specific request to this end, or, unconsciously by means of previous behavior on internet, that he prefers using public transport, providers of hotel rooms may be selected in the immediate vicinity of an underground station. Data concerning the preferences of the user may for example be distilled from previous valuations of provided information. Such data may for example be stored in the form of cookies on the user’s computer. According to another example, which may be combined or not with the previous examples of enrichment, the enrichment may be executed automatically, for example by means of location apps on the users entry device, be it a computer, tablet or a smartphone, or by means of the IP address of certain devices the users location may be gathered to enrich the search criteria. For example when the user’s location is detected, or otherwise known, as being in Brussels while searching for a hotel or restaurant in Brussel for the very near future, e.g. for the same day or within hours or minutes, his search criteria may be enriched with his present location. On the basis of the proximity of the user, the providers that are within close reach may be warned, for example may obtain a special signal on their devices, e.g. smartphone, that information, e.g. urgent information, is requested from a nearby user, such that they may grab the opportunity of providing information to a user passing-by, or being in urgent need of the information. Such system may for example be handy for hailing a taxi, or for searching a free table in a restaurant at peak hours. Providers with a free table for some time, e.g. for another 45 minutes, before a booked reservation, may want to invite the nearby user in.

Preferably said provider database is stored on a second computer which by means of a network is connected to said first computer. The provider database may be maintained by a dedicated organization. This organization only needs to check the sanity of the provider data and possibly add data concerning additional providers. The actual information that ends up being compiled in the information database stays in the hands of the providers who are best placed to keep such information up to date and who may customize their data on the basis of the search criteria and/or the data about the preferences of the user in question.

Preferably said request for information at least comprises an at least partially automatically generated electronic message addressed to said providers, being sent over said network. For example an e-mail message, an automated voice mail message or any other, preferably electronic, messaging system may be used. Alternatively, or in combination with the above, said request for information may also at least comprise an at least partially automatically generated notification on a portion of a website that is accessible by the relevant providers, preferably exclusively by the relevant providers.

Preferably the step of collecting information from the relevant providers comprises the input of the relevant information by said providers in a third computer, preferably each in its own provider computer. Further the step of collecting information preferably contains the electronic transmission of said information for taking said information up, or compiling said information in said information database.

Preferably the information database is stored on said second computer.

Preferably said information database is provided to said user on a part of a website that is accessible to the relevant user. Said part of a website may show the progress of the provision of information. For example it may mention to how many selected providers the request has been forwarded, and how many possible providers have already provided suitable information. It may indicate a timing or expected timing for the completion of the information database, which timing has preferably been forwarded to the possible providers as well. Such estimation of timing may be based on past responses by the same or similar providers. Also the user may indicate a preferred maximum timing for the retrieval of the information database, preferably before or at the same time of inputting his search criteria. Such indication may also be used in the selection of the possible providers. The information database may be presented to the user along side the information that the same user would be provided with when using the systems of the state of the art. In the case the system is used for commercial offers, e.g. for stays in a hotel, prices obtained through the system of the invention may be presented together with the best price found on the internet for the same stay.

Preferably the aforementioned step of inputting said search criteria is made on a part of a website that is accessible to said relevant user, preferably the same part of preferably the same website on which the information database can be accessed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment said information concerns commercial or other offers that may be accepted by the relevant user or not. In such case, said method preferably further comprises the step of electronically transmitting a possible order of said user to the relevant provider. For example, the order may relate to the booking of a hotel room.

Preferably, the data in said information database is provided to said user in an ordered fashion, such that the data that best matches said search criteria, possibly enriched with data concerning the preferences of said user, is presented first to the user or is highlighted in another manner, for example using a color scale. In accordance with a variant, the information in said information database may also be provided to said user in an order which relates to data concerning the providers. For example, the provider with the best reviews may be presented first or in a more attractive manner.

In accordance with an important practical example of the method of the invention, it is applied for organizing travel and other trips, wherein said user then preferably at least provides its preferential destination and period as search criterion.

In accordance with another important practical example, the method is applied for the reservation of rental cars or flights, wherein said user then preferably at least provides its preferential departure date and/or preferential destination and period as a search criterion. Of course the system may just as well be used for booking tables in a restaurant or seats in theaters.

It is clear that the system of the invention is not only suitable for providing information concerning services, but, in general for any information that a user may want to obtain. He may for example want to find detailed information about certain technologies, diseases, a certain artist, and so on. The system of the invention may in such case be used as an encyclopedia which is always up-to-date, accurate and knowledgeable about the detailed information the user is searching for. In such embodiment, the user may be asked to pay a subscription, which is for example partly used to reward the provider of valuable information. According to another important example the system of the invention may be used to gather information concerning new or second hand products for sale. A user may for example send out a request to buy a certain product. Shops that possibly may be selling such product may be selected from the provider database and requested to provide information about their offer for the product. A shop may at that point in time be interested to present information about a special deal for entry in the information database.

It is understood that the step of a user inputting search criteria in a first computer is preferably done by means of a keyboard, or by means of a touchscreen that preferably enables typing or writing. According to an alternative, speech commands may be interpreted by a computer program, e.g. via computational linguistic software, to enable the automatic input of spoken search criteria. For example a spoken message:“Search me a hotel for next weekend in Venice” may be used to either first trigger further questions, such as“Are you travelling alone or are you in a larger party?” and so on, until the search criteria are sufficient to ensure a suitable selection of possible providers and/or to ensure appropriate information in the eventual information database. Of course, at the provider’s end similar input devices may be available.

It is clear that the computers referred to in connection to the present invention may either be laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, smartwatches or the likes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the user may be rewarded for his/her loyalty to a particular system, e.g. by monetary rewards or credits for subsequent orders made using said particular system working in accordance with the method of the invention.

The present invention, in accordance with a second independent aspect relates to a system of computers programmed for the execution of a method in accordance with the first aspect or any preferred embodiment or example thereof.

It is clear that the invention further also concerns electronic devices, such as data carriers, comprising software code for programming the computer systems of the second aspect.

With the aim of further and better illustrating the features of the invention, hereinafter a preferred embodiment is described by way of example without limitative character, with reference to the single accompanying figure, schematically representing the method of the invention.

Figure shows a user 1 at a first location 2, for example in his home. The user 1 performs the step Sl of inputting search criteria in a first computer 3. In the example the user 1 inputs the search criteria via the keyboard of said first computer 3. The system 4 of computers 3-5-6 shown in the present example is programmed to be a booking system for hotel rooms. The user 1 inputs his destination, his period of stay and preferably his purpose of travel: business or leisure. Preferably the input of said search criteria is made using a standardized form on the screen, possibly with a window for entering additional desires or wishes or requests. Such standardized input may be composed of simple questions that can be answered with yes or no, and of automatized date fields to fill in arrival and departure date. Preferably the input of the search criteria is made on a portion of a website which is accessible to said user 1 , by which it is convenient to provide such standardized form.

The input of information in step Sl eventually gives rises to the step S2 of electronically transmitting a request for information to providers 7 that meet or possibly meet one or more of the search criteria and/or whose information may meet one or more of the search criteria. This step S2 is proceeded by the electronic transmission 8 of the input search criteria, or other data compiled from said search criteria, to a second computer 6 or server at a second location 9. The server 6 stores a database 10 of providers, for example with at least e-mail addresses or other electronic contact data of e.g. nationwide hotels. On the basis of the search criteria, providers 7 that may meet one or more of the search criteria are selected in step 11. The unselected providers are here schematically indicated as hatched records 12 of the database 10. The selected providers 7 , in this case hotel owners at the destination of interest, receive a request for information, e.g. about available rooms and room rates, electronically transmitted during step S2 to their respective provider locations 13.

It is noted that the provider database 10 is preferably kept up to date by an organization which manages the method of the invention, such as the computer 6 or server.

In step S3, information is collected from the respective providers 7 in an information database 14. The information is put in by each respective provider 7 at its own respective location 13, each using its own third computer 5. In this specific case, the hotel owner may answer the request for information by putting in information about its proposed room, proposed rate and/or proposed included extra’s, fitting the request. Since each provider 7 may provide information to the information database 14 based on a specific request, s/he has a chance to provide special deals, for example in an attempt to fill the last bed in the hotel. Further the provider may have preference for business travelers and offer a better deal for such user, since he knows there is a high chance that such user consumes diner or drinks in the hotel’s restaurant. The method of the invention offers the advantage that such specialized offer will not automatically become public, but is at first place a communication that stays private between the users and the specific provider. As stated in the introduction the request for information may be enriched with data about the user and his preferences. If for example this enriched data tells that this specific user 1 has a high rate of cancelling bookings, the information provided in the information database 14 by the provider 7 may be adapted to such customer or user 1.

Preferably each of said providers 7 input their information on a part of a website that is accessible to the relevant provider 7. Such part of a website preferably contains a standardized form for providing the requested information. Preferably such part of the website contains data of the all rooms in the hotel and preferably also of the availabilities of such rooms, such that a provider may quickly select a given room and input a rate and other particulars specific for the user’s request. Preferably said part of the website presents the available rooms to the provider in accordance with the arrival and departure dates in the request. Possibly such part of the website may contain standard offers for specific returning requests, for example a last-available-room offer, such that the provider can provide his information in only some clicks of the mouse.

The figure represents that, in the present example, the information database 14 containing the information from all or part of the selected providers 7 is compiled at said second location on said second computer 6. This is of course not necessarily so, and this may be done on still another computer possibly at still another location, not represented here, or on said first computer 4 of the user 1.

In a fourth step S4 said information database 14 is provided to, or made available to, said user 1. The information database 14 may be available on a part of a website that is accessible to said specific user 1, preferably it is available on a part of the same website used for inputting the search criteria.

The figure represents an additional optional step 15 in which the information in the information database 14 is ordered in accordance with the correspondence to the search criteria and/or in accordance with possible enriched data concerning the user’s 1 preferences to yield an ordered information database 14’. Said information may also be ordered in accordance with data concerning the providers 7, for example in accordance with quality reviews concerning the provider. Providers may also be requested to make payments to the organization maintaining the method, e.g. the provider database 10 and/or the computer 6, to allow their information to be represented in a more attractive manner and/or in a more informative manner and/or in a higher place in the ordered information database 14’.

The ordering step 15 of the data in the information database 14 is not necessarily done, as shown here, at said second location and/or on said second computer 6 or server. According to another possibility the sorting or ordering is done on the user’s 1 computer 3. This may for example be done by means of using information stored in cookies on the computer 3. The ordering at the user’s end offers the advantage that privacy is maintained to a large extent, while at the same time using all available intelligence about the user’s preferences.

As mentioned in the introduction the step S4 may be followed by a subsequent step in which the user 1 on the basis of said information places an order or booking with one or more of said providers 7. Such order may pass with the intermediate of said organization, e.g. through the second computer 6, for example by using said part of the website, or be forwarded from the user 1 directly, preferably electronically, to the respective provider 7.

In a commercial set-up the organization maintaining the provider database 10 may be awarded a monetary reward for facilitating the order and/or the organization may collect fees for maintaining a certain provider 7 in the provider database 10 and/or the organization may collect fees on the basis of information requests forwarded to the respective provider 7.

It is clear that the figure also shows an example of a system of computers in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The present invention is not limited to embodiments described here above, but such methods and computer systems may be realized according to several variants without leaving the scope of the invention. The methods and computer systems described may be used for the provision of information of any sort.