Method and apparatus for dynamic information connection engine

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for a dynamic information connection engine. User actions are detected on at least one client system. In response, a determination is made whether the user is searching for supported information. When the user is searching for supported information, information is extracted electronically from third party web site direct supplier connections, and intermediate databases. Potential information suppliers are automatically selected in response to the detected user search. Queries are formulated from the user search and transferred to each selected supplier over a network coupling. The queries include a request for information. Responses are received from the suppliers, and the responses are used to generate a result list for the user. The result list includes information and query status information. Further, an electronic link may be provided to a web site of each supplier from which the information was derived.

1 - 62 . (canceled)  
     
     
         63 . A method for distributing information comprising: 
 storing data in a data storage mechanism operated by a first entity;    providing a mechanism to run software, wherein the mechanism to run software is operated by the first entity and wherein the mechanism to run software is in communication with the data stored in the data storage mechanism;    running, on the mechanism to run software, data analysis software provided by a second entity; and    providing to the second entity, as output from the data analysis software, information related to the stored data.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the data storage mechanism comprises at least one database.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the mechanism to run software comprises at least one computer.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the computer comprises at least one server computer.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the server computer is accessible to another computer via the Internet.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the data analysis software complies with an application programming interface established by the first entity.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein output from the data analysis software comprises a subset of the stored data.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein output from the data analysis software comprises a summary of at least a portion of the stored data.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the second entity uses at least a portion of the output from the data analysis software to make an offer to a user.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the user is a user of a search system.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the output from the data analysis software includes prior purchasing behavior of the user and the offer to the user is based at least in part upon the prior purchasing behavior of the user.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the output from the data analysis software includes prior purchasing behavior associated with at least one supplier of an item other than the second entity and the offer to the user is based at least in part upon the prior purchasing behavior associated with the at least one supplier other than the second entity.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the offer is associated with an item selected from the group including: (a) airline reservations, (b) lodging reservations, and (c) ground transportation reservations.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the steps are carried out in the order recited.  
     
     
         77 . A method for distributing information, comprising: 
 storing data in a data storage mechanism operated by a first entity;    providing a mechanism to run software, wherein the mechanism to run software is operated by the first entity and wherein the mechanism to run software is in communication with the data stored in the data storage mechanism;    running, on the mechanism to run software, first data analysis software provided by a second entity;    running, on the mechanism to run software, second data analysis software provided by a third entity;    providing to the second entity, as output from the first data analysis software, information related to the stored data; and    providing to the third entity, as output from the second data analysis software, information related to the stored data;    wherein the second entity and the third entity are each suppliers of at least one item.    
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the second entity uses at least a portion of the output from the first data analysis software to make an offer to a user.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the user is a user of a search system.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein output from the first data analysis software includes prior purchasing behavior associated with at least the third entity and the offer to the user is based at least in part upon the prior purchasing behavior associated with at least the third entity.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the offer is associated with an item selected from the group including: (a) airline reservations, (b) lodging reservations, and (c) ground transportation reservations.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the steps are carried out in the order recited.