Mixture queries for search engine portals

Abstract

Approaches to improving mixture queries and booking split stays are described herein. According to some aspects, a user utilizes an exploration tool to search for available lodging. A mixture query is generated based on the stay information received from the user and potential split stays are identified and presented to the user. In some aspects, the split stays are identified based on user-specified split stay criteria, search results are obtained from a local database of “live” pricing and availability information, and a selected split stay option is booked on behalf of the user. Example split stay criteria includes criteria pertaining to an amenity or characteristic of the available lodgings or the available rooms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of identifying split stays comprising:
 receiving, by a first computing device from a second computing device operated by a user, user-specified stay information and at least one user-specified split stay criterion;   determining, by the first computing device, a split stay based on the user-specified stay information;   generating, by the first computing device, a mixture query for the split stay using the user-specified stay information wherein the mixture query comprises a first sub-query for a first leg of the split stay and a second sub-query for a second leg of the split stay;   obtaining, by the first computing device, a first set of search results for the first sub-query and a second set of search results for the second sub-query;   determining, by the first computing device, a split stay option based at least in part on the user-specified split stay criterion wherein the split stay option comprises a first stay option from the first set of search results and a second stay option from the second set of search results; and   providing, by the first computing device, the split stay option to the second computing device for presentation to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 booking, by the first computing device, the split stay option on behalf of the user.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first stay option is a cancelable stay option and the second stay option is a non-cancelable stay option; and   booking the split stay option on behalf of the user comprises booking the cancelable stay option prior to booking the non-cancelable stay option.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 subsequent to booking the split stay option on behalf of the user, determining, by the first computing device, that an alternative stay option satisfies a rebooking criterion, and   responsive to determining that the alternative stay option satisfies the rebooking criterion:
 canceling, by the first computing device, either the first stay option booked for the split stay option or the second stay option booked for the split stay option, and 
 booking, by the first computing device, the alternative stay option on behalf of the user. 
   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 determining the split stay option comprises determining the split stay option further based on a predetermined split stay criterion.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the predetermined split stay criterion is a room amenity or a room characteristic.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 obtaining the first set of search results and the second set of search results comprises querying a data store storing room pricing information and room availability information with the mixture query;   wherein the data store is located locally relative to the first computing device.   
     
     
         8 . A system for identifying split stays comprising:
 one or more processors;   a network interface in signal communication with a computing device operated by a user; and   memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to:
 receive, via the network interface from the computing device, user-specified stay information and at least one user-specified split stay criterion; 
 determine a split stay based on the user-specified stay information; 
 generate a mixture query for the split stay using the user-specified stay information wherein the mixture query comprises a first sub-query for a first leg of the split stay and a second sub-query for a second leg of the split stay; 
 obtain a first set of search results for the first sub-query and a second set of search results for the second sub-query; 
 determine a split stay option based at least in part on the user-specified split stay criterion wherein the split stay option comprises a first stay option from the first set of search results and a second stay option from the second set of search results; and 
 provide, via the network interface, the split stay option to the computing device for presentation to the user. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the instructions, when executed, further cause the system to book the split stay option on behalf of the user.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first stay option is a cancelable stay option and the second stay option is a non-cancelable stay option; and   the instructions, when executed, further cause the system to book the split stay option on behalf of the user by booking the cancelable stay option prior to booking the non-cancelable stay option.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the instructions, when executed, further cause the system to, subsequent to booking the split stay option on behalf of the user:   determine that an alternative stay option satisfies a rebooking criterion, and   responsive to determining that the alternative stay option satisfies the rebooking criterion:
 cancel either the first stay option booked for the split stay option or the second stay option booked for the split stay option, and 
 book the alternative stay option on behalf of the user. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the instructions, when executed, further cause the system to determine the split stay option further based on a predetermined split stay criterion.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a data store storing room pricing information and room availability information; and   wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the system to obtain the first set of search results and the second set of search results by querying the data store with the mixture query.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the instructions, when executed, further cause the system to provide, via the network interface, split stay criteria to the computing device for presentation to the user;   wherein the split stay criteria comprises at least one room amenity criterion, at least one room characteristic criterion, at least one lodging amenity criterion, at least one lodging characteristic criterion.   
     
     
         15 . Non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to:
 receiving, via a network interface of the computing device from a user-operated computing device, user-specified stay information and at least one user-specified split stay criterion;   determine a split stay based on the user-specified stay information;   generate a mixture query for the split stay using the user-specified stay information wherein the mixture query comprises a first sub-query for a first leg of the split stay and a second sub-query for a second leg of the split stay;   obtain a first set of search results for the first sub-query and a second set of search results for the second sub-query;   determine a split stay option based at least in part on the user-specified split stay criterion wherein the split stay option comprises a first stay option from the first set of search results and a second stay option from the second set of search results; and   provide, via the network interface, the split stay option to the user-operated computing device for presentation to the user.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the computing device to:
 book the split stay option on behalf of the user.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first stay option is a cancelable stay option and the second stay option is a non-cancelable stay option; and   the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the computing device to book the split stay option on behalf of the user by booking the cancelable stay option prior to booking the non-cancelable stay option.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 16 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the computing device to, subsequent to booking the split stay option on behalf of the user:
 determine that an alternative stay option satisfies a rebooking criterion, and   responsive to determining that the alternative stay option satisfies the rebooking criterion:
 cancel either the first stay option booked for the split stay option or the second stay option booked for the split stay option, and 
 book the alternative stay option on behalf of the user. 
   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the computing device to:
 determine the split stay option further based on a predetermined split stay criterion that is satisfied when a first bed type associated with the first stay option is the same as a second bed type associated with the second stay option.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, further cause the computing device to:
 obtain the first set of search results and the second set of search results by querying a data store storing room pricing information and room availability information with the mixture query;   wherein the data store is located locally relative to the computing device.