Travel reservation information and planning system

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Patent issued

09/07/1999

Inventor(s):	Gray, Keith A. Ferguson, T. Angus DeLorme, David M.
Assignee	Delorme Publishing Co. (Yarmouth, ME)
Application	No. 08/797,471 filed on 02/06/1997
Current US Class	701/201, 340/990, 701/208, 701/211, 705/5
Field of search	701/201, 701/202, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211, 701/212, 701/213, 705/5, 705/6, 340/988, 340/989, 340/990, 340/995
International Classes:	G08G 1/0969 (20060101), G06Q 10/00 (20060101), G01C 21/36 (20060101), G01C 21/34 (20060101), G09B 29/10 (20060101), G06F 019/00 (), G01C 021/00 ()
Examiners
Primary	Tan Nguyen
Attorney, agent or firm:	Pierce Caseiro; Chris A. Atwood

Computerized travel reservation information and planning system that generates "map ticket" output in various media, for guidance and transactions en route. Such print or electronic documents can include bar or alphanumeric codes for automated recognition and/or access. WHERE?, WHO/WHAT?, WHEN? and HOW? menus enable flexible user inquiries accessing selectable geographic, topical, temporal and transactional data records and relational processing. Sub-menus provide further capabilities: e.g. routing, topical searching; searches of events calendars, almanacs, appointment books, related itinerary scheduling; trip budgeting issues, plus travel arrangement availabilities or other goods/services offers. Online communications links access updated or supplemental information on places, times, topics and other provider goods/service offers. Online computer-aided routing system enables input of selectable travel origin, destination, and waypoints to compute travel routes, available transportation services, costs, options, and schedules. A point-of-interest database lets users pick types of attractions or accommodations within a user-selected region around routes of travel. Users engage in an iterative planning process, revising or editing travel plans, previewing travelogs of alternate routes, selecting point of interest parameters, comparing times and costs of transportation options, in order to achieve a satisfactory travel plan. The system provides printed or electronic output that may include any one or more of text itinerary, ordered set of travel maps, customized collection of information on points of interest information and a selected array of valid reservation confirmations, tickets and/or discount coupons coded with elements for automated recognition and processing. Mobile users, including GPS-linked users, can access the system via wireless communication units.

We claim:

1. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) comprising:

a. a computer;

b. a TRIPS database of topical data and geographic data;

c. means for a TRIPS user to relay via said computer one or more inputs related to travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof;

d. one or more subsystems couplable to said TRIPS database and constructed to process said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user and to calculate one or more outputs responsive to said one or more inputs, wherein said one or more outputs include information on options or a range of options corresponding to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof; and

e. a controller for regulating correspondence between said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user and said one or more outputs from said one or more subsystems,

wherein one of said one or more subsystems is a temporal subsystem including means to enable said TRIPS user to preview, manipulate, and manage a chronological dimension associated with said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel or any combination thereof.

2. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said one or more subsystems is a geographic subsystem comprising:

a. means for gathering from said TRIPS database geographic information related to points of interest;

b. TRIPS geographic software constructed to retrieve specific information related to one or more points of interest identified based upon said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user; and

c. means to output to said TRIPS user said specific information related to said one or more points of interest.

3. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 2 wherein said geographic subsystem further includes means for calculating and identifying one or more travel routes associated with said specific points of interest and means for presenting to said TRIPS user output related to topics of interest proximate to said one or more points of interest.

4. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 2 wherein one of said one or more subsystems is a topical subsystem comprising:

a. means for gathering from said TRIPS database topical information related to people, places, events, things, or any combination thereof;

b. TRIPS topical software constructed to correlate one or more topic-related inputs from said TRIPS user and to integrate said topical information based on said one or more topic-related inputs into one or more topical subsystem outputs; and

c. means to output to said TRIPS user said one or more topical subsystem outputs.

5. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 4 with said temporal subsystem comprising:

a. temporal information containing representational gauges of time;

b. an updatable temporal database including time-related information associated with said topical information;

c. TRIPS temporal software constructed to correlate one or more time-based TRIPS user inputs with said one or more inputs related to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof; and

d. means to output to said TRIPS user one or more temporal subsystem outputs related to said one or more time-based TRIPS user inputs and said one or more inputs related to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof.

6. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means for linking said temporal database to one or more remote topic-information providers.

7. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 6 wherein said temporal database includes multimedia information related to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof.

8. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a transactional subsystem including a modifiable database of cost information associated with said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof, and a comparator for relational evaluation of the cost associated with alternative travel arrangements, travel activities, or any combination thereof.

9. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 8 with said transactional subsystem further comprising an accounting subsystem constructed to identify said TRIPS user by an access code, and to regulate and account for usage of output from said controller to said TRIPS user.

10. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controller includes an interactive bus.

11. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 1 further comprising linking means for remote communication between said controller and said TRIPS user.

12. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 11 wherein said linking means is a wireless communicator.

13. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 12 wherein said wireless communicator includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor.

14. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 11 wherein said linking means is an Internet link.

15. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) to enable an individual or a group to customize travel plans, to select activities to be conducted, and to self-process arrangements associated with such plans and activities, said system comprising:

a. computer means including display means capable of displaying geographical, textual, and multimedia presentations;

b. a TRIPS database comprising geographical information, textual or multimedia information, and temporal information, wherein any of said information is accessible by said computer means;

c. means for a user to transmit to said computer means data, including temporal data, directed to travel plans or activities desired to be carried out;

d. means for said computer means to receive from one or more suppliers of travel capabilities or one or more goods or services providers information associated with said travel or said activities and compatible with said temporal data;

e. linking means for coupling said data from said user with said information from said one or more providers; and

f. an output from said computer means to said user, wherein said output provides said user with information and supplies necessary to complete said travel plans or said activities desired to be carried out.

16. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 15 wherein said output from said computer means is a travel voucher.

17. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 15 wherein said output from said computer means is a coupon for goods or services.

18. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 15 wherein said output is an electronic output.

19. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 18 wherein said electronic output is a set of position coordinates deliverable to a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

20. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 15 wherein said output is a voice output.

21. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 15 wherein said computer means is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, notebook computers, laptop computers, and personal digital assistants.

22. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) to enable a user to select one or more travel destinations and to make travel arrangements based upon a destination or destinations selected, said system comprising:

a. a first computer means;

b. means for linking said first computer means to a second computer means accessible by a user desiring to make travel arrangements, wherein said first computer means includes a map database having mappable geographic information;

c. a topical information database couplable to said first computer means;

d. a temporal subsystem including means to enable said user to preview, manipulate, and manage a chronological dimension associated with said travel arrangements; and

e. an output couplable to said second computer means, wherein said output provides said user with information and supplies necessary to complete said travel plans.

23. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 further comprising reservation linking means coupling said first computer means to one or more goods or services service providers.

24. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 23 wherein said output is a paper map including a geographic display of said one or more destinations, information related to one or more points of interest obtained from said topical information database, and one or more reservation tickets for carrying out said travel plans.

25. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 24 wherein said reservation ticket is a voucher for goods or services.

26. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 wherein said output is an electronic output.

27. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 wherein said output is a voice output.

28. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 further comprising activities linking means coupling said first computer means to one or more activities service providers.

29. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 28 wherein said output is a paper map including a geographic display of said one or more destinations, information related to one or more points of interest obtained from said topical information database, and one or more reservation coupons for carrying out activities provided by said one or more activities service providers.

30. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 wherein said means for linking said first computer means to said second computer means is a direct cable link.

31. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 wherein said means for linking said first computer means to said second computer means is a wireless link.

32. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 22 with said temporal subsystem comprising:

a. temporal information containing representational gauges of time;

b. an updatable temporal database including time-related information associated with said topical information;

c. TRIPS temporal software constructed to correlate one or more time-based user inputs with said one or more inputs related to said travel arrangements; and

d. a temporal output designed to display a range of time-limited options associated with said travel arrangements.

33. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 32 further comprising a transactional subsystem including a modifiable database of cost information associated with said travel arrangements, and a comparator for relational evaluation of the cost associated with alternative travel arrangements.

34. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 33 with said transactional subsystem further comprising an accounting subsystem constructed to identify said user by an access code, and to regulate and account for usage of output from said first computer means to said user.

35. A travel reservation information and planning process permitting a user to custom plan travel and activities associated with travel, the process comprising the steps of:

a. providing access for an individual or group to a database having geographic information and temporal information retrievable based upon one or more inputs from a user interested in developing a travel plan;

b. linking travel information associated with said geographic information and said temporal information and making said travel information accessible to said user;

c. making accessible to said user reservation information and materials associated with services or goods available from one or more providers; and

d. providing to said user an output associated with said travel plan and compatible with chronological information input by said user.

36. The process as claimed in claim 35 wherein said output is selected from the group consisting of: building layouts, itineraries, reservation confirmation coupons, rental or lease reservations, discount or extra-service coupons, point-of-interest displays, airline tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, ferry tickets, coupons or tickets for goods or services, a visual display of information associated with said travel plan, and an audio output of information associated with said travel plan.

37. A product created by the process as described in claim 35.

38. The process as claimed in claim 35 further comprising the step of providing to said user a summary of travel options and expenses associated with said input travel plan.

39. The process as claimed in claim 35 wherein the step of providing access to said database includes linking a first computer means containing said database with a second computer means accessible by said user.

40. The process as claimed in claim 39 wherein the step of linking said first computer means to said second computer means is via a wireless link.

41. The process as claimed in claim 40 wherein the step of linking said first computer means to said second computer means is via a cable link.

42. The process as claimed in claim 35 wherein said second computer means is a personal digital assistant.

43. The process as claimed in claim 35 wherein the step of providing to said user an output associated with said travel plan includes the step of outputting an electronic display associated with a location of said user.

44. The process as claimed in claim 43 further comprising the step of outputting to said user an electronic display associated with a location of said one or more providers.

45. The process as claimed in claim 35 wherein the step of providing to said user an output associated with said travel plan includes the step of outputting a voice indicator of a location associated with said one or more providers.

46. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) to enable a TRIPS user to customize travel plans, to select activities to be conducted, and to self-process arrangements associated with such plans and activities, said TRIPS comprising:

a. a geographic subsystem including textual or multimedia geographical information, wherein said geographical information is accessible by said TRIPS user;

b. a topic subsystem including textual or multimedia topical information, wherein said topical information is accessible by said TRIPS user;

c. a temporal subsystem including means to enable said TRIPS user to preview, manipulate, and manage a chronological dimension associated with travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel or any combination thereof;

d. computer means for scheduling travel or desired activities compatible with said chronological dimension, wherein said geographic and topical information is accessible by said computer means; and

e. an output from said computer means to said TRIPS user, wherein said output provides said TRIPS user with customized travel and activity plans that include information and supplies necessary to complete said travel or said desired activities.

47. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 46 wherein said information and said supplies necessary to complete said travel plans or said desired activities include display of geographical, textual, and multimedia presentations by said computer means.

48. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 46 wherein said output from said computer means includes a ticket selected from the group consisting of airline tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, and ferry tickets.

49. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 46 wherein said output is a customized map including travel materials selected from the group consisting of: building layouts, itineraries, reservation confirmation coupons, discount or extra-service coupons, rental or lease reservations, airline tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, ferry tickets, coupons for goods or services, a visual display of information associated with said customized travel plans and activities, and an audio output of information associated with said customized travel plans and activities.

50. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 47 wherein said information and said supplies necessary to complete said travel plans or said desired activities further includes a ticket means for providing a hard copy of said scheduling information, said ticket means selected from the group consisting of maps, airline tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, ferry tickets, point-of-interest displays, hotel vouchers, restaurant coupons, entertainment center coupons, event tickets, confirmation coupons, and coupons for goods.

51. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 50 wherein said computer means is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, notebook computers, laptop computers, and personal digital assistants.

52. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 46 with said temporal subsystem comprising:

a. temporal information containing representational gauges of time;

b. an updatable temporal database including time-related information associated with said topical information;

c. TRIPS temporal software constructed to correlate one or more time-based user inputs with said one or more inputs related to said travel arrangements; and

d. a temporal output designed to display a range of time-limited options associated with said travel arrangements.

53. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 46 further comprising a transactional subsystem including a modifiable database of cost information associated with said travel arrangements, and a comparator for relational evaluation of the cost associated with alternative travel arrangements.

54. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 52 with said transactional subsystem further comprising an accounting subsystem constructed to identify said user by an access code, and to regulate and account for usage of output from said first computer means to said user.

55. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) to enable a TRIPS user to customize travel plans, to select activities to be conducted, and to self-process arrangements associated with such plans and activities, said TRIPS comprising:

a. a geographic subsystem including textual geographical information, multimedia geographical information, or a combination of the two, wherein said geographical information is accessible by said TRIPS user;

b. a topic subsystem including textual topical information, multimedia topical information, or a combination of the two, wherein said topical information is accessible by said TRIPS user;

c. a temporal subsystem including textual temporal information accessible by said TRIPS user and including means to enable said TRIPS user to preview, manipulate, and manage a chronological dimension associated with customized travel plans, activities to be conducted, and self-processing of arrangements associated therewith; and

d. computer means responsive to one or more inputs from said TRIPS user related to said geographical, topical, or temporal information, wherein said computer means includes TRIPS software constructed to output to said TRIPS user information associated travel arrangements, topical events, or a combination of the two as a function of said one or more TRIPS user inputs.

56. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 55 further comprising a transaction subsystem including textual transactional information, multimedia transactional information, or a combination of the two, wherein said transaction subsystem is accessible by said TRIPS user and wherein said TRIPS user may transmit one or more inputs to said computer means related to said transactional information.

57. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 56 further comprising an Internet linking means for remote coupling of said TRIPS user and said computer means.

58. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 57 wherein said transaction subsystem includes transaction software constructed to create a hierarchy of access to said output of said computer means.

59. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 56 wherein said TRIPS software is constructed to calculate, delineate, and present one or more travel routes as a function of said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user.

60. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 59 wherein said geographic subsystem is constructed to display on a computer display accessible by said TRIPS user a multimedia travelog of one or more events and/or points of interest along said one or more travel routes.

61. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 56 wherein said TRIPS software is constructed to automatically transmit to said TRIPS user one or more geographic and/or topic outputs upon iteratively processing a single TRIPS user input.

62. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 56 wherein said TRIPS software is constructed to permit said TRIPS user to manually conduct an iterative examination of said geographic and topic subsystems based upon a plurality of TRIPS user inputs so as to produce a single geographic and/or topic output.

63. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) to enable a TRIPS user to conduct travel arrangements, said TRIPS comprising:

at least one printed map corresponding to a selected geographical area, said printed map depicting surface features at a particular level of detail, said printed map comprising grid lines substantially parallel with coordinate lines of a selected geographical coordinate system, said grid lines defining boundary lines of printed map grid quadrangles identified by printed map grid quadrangle names;

a first computer means having a display, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display selected display grid quadrangles identified by first display grid quadrangle names corresponding to said printed map grid quadrangle names;

at least one database of selected geographical-coordinate-locatable objects (loc/objects) storable on a memory device and readable by said first computer means, said selected loc/objects identified by geographical coordinate location in said selected geographical coordinate system, said first computer means being programmed to display on said display locations of one or more of said selected loc/objects in said display grid quadrangles corresponding to map locations of said selected loc/objects in said printed map grid quadrangles of said printed map;

a second computer means having an output programmed to indicate second grid quadrangles names for user correlation with corresponding printed map grid quadrangles;

a temporal subsystem including means to enable said TRIPS user to preview, manipulate, and manage a chronological dimension associated with said travel arrangements; and

a topic subsystem including textual topical information, multimedia topical information, or a combination of the two, wherein said topical information is accessible by said TRIPS user.

64. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 63 wherein said second computer means includes a second display, said second computer means being programmed to display on said second display selected grid quadrangles identified by said second display grid quadrangle names for user correlation with corresponding printed map grid quadrangles;

and a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

65. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 63 wherein said second computer means is located at a location remote from said first computer means, said second computer means having at least one database of loc/objects, and said CAMLS includes a data communications link between said first computer means and said second computer means.

66. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 63 further comprising locating means couplable to said first computer means, to said second computer means, or to both.

67. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 66 wherein said locating means is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

68. A travel planning information and reservation system (TRIPS) for use with a device that includes geocoding capability, comprising:

a computer having a computer display;

a map database providing a set of electronic maps for presentation on said computer display, wherein said electronic maps have the capability of depicting transportation routes having identifiable waypoints including route intersections at geographical locations along said transportation routes, said identifiable waypoints on said electronic maps being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system;

a TRIPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) identifiable by coordinate locations in said geographical coordinate system, said POIs being organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POIs by type, said POI types including overlays of said TRIPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display;

TRIPS software permitting user travel planning using said electronic maps presented on said computer display by providing user selection of selected waypoints that include at least a travel origin and a travel destination and can include intermediate waypoints, wherein said TRIPS software is capable of determining an additional group of said intermediate waypoints between said travel origin and said travel destination, and of calculating, delineating, and displaying a travel route between said travel origin and said travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of a shortest travel route, quickest travel route, or user-selected preferred travel route;

said TRIPS software also permits user selection of a region of interest along said user-defined travel route, said region of interest having user-specified dimensions and permitting user selection of specified POI types within said region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from said selected types within said region of interest, said region of interest being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of said geographical coordinate system;

wherein said TRIPS database include travel information selected from a group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information, and text information about POIs of said TRIPS database and about said transportation routes and said identifiable waypoints of said electronic maps,

wherein said TRIPS software is constructed to present a user-customized travelog for preview on said computer display of a user-defined travel route including said travel information in said TRIPS database on said selected transportation routes and said selected waypoints of said electronic maps and one or more of said selected POIs of said TRIPS database in said user-defined region of interest along said travel route,

wherein said TRIPS software permits data transfer between a device that includes geocoding capability and said computer, and

a topic subsystem including textual topical information, multimedia topical information, or a combination of the two, wherein said topical information is accessible by said user.

69. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 68 wherein said user selection of said selected waypoints occurs at a site remote from said computer, wherein said selected waypoints are recorded by said user with said geocoding capable device, and wherein

said data transfer selectively includes either (a) downloading to said computer from said geocoding capable device of data that includes said selected waypoints so as to provide guidance of said user remote from said computer or (b) uploading of data that includes said selected waypoints and selected POIs from said computer to said geocoding capable device.

70. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 69 wherein said TRIPS software is constructed to display a user-customized strip map of said user-defined travel route, wherein said computer is coupled to a printer, and wherein said TRIPS software is constructed for printing hard-copy maps of said user-customized strip maps to be used in conjunction with said geocoding capable device.

71. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) comprising:

a. a computer;

b. a TRIPS database of topical data and geographic data;

c. means for a TRIPS user to relay via said computer one or more inputs related to travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof;

d. one or more subsystems couplable to said TRIPS database and constructed to process said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user and to calculate one or more outputs responsive to said one or more inputs, wherein each of said one or more subsystems is selected from the group consisting of geographic, topical, temporal, and transactional subsystems, wherein said one or more subsystems are constructed to permit said TRIPS user to initiate said one or more inputs in any one of said one or more subsystems, and wherein said one or more outputs include information on options or a range of options corresponding to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof; and

e. a controller for regulating correspondence between said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user and said one or more outputs from said one or more subsystems.

72. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 71 wherein said geographic subsystem includes:

a. means for gathering from said TRIPS database geographic information related to points of interest;

b. TRIPS geographic software constructed to retrieve specific information related to one or more points of interest identified based upon said one or more inputs from said TRIPS user; and

c. means to output to said TRIPS user said specific information related to said one or more points of interest.

73. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 72 wherein said geographic subsystem further includes means for calculating and identifying one or more travel routes associated with said specific points of interest and means for presenting to said TRIPS user output related to topics of interest proximate to said one or more points of interest.

74. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 72 wherein said topical subsystem includes:

a. means for gathering from said TRIPS database topical information related to people, places, events, things, or any combination thereof;

b. TRIPS topical software constructed to correlate one or more topic-related inputs from said TRIPS user and to integrate said topical information based on said one or more topic-related inputs into one or more topical subsystem outputs; and

c. means to output to said TRIPS user said one or more topical subsystem outputs.

75. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 74 wherein said temporal subsystem includes:

a. temporal information containing representational gauges of time;

b. an updatable temporal database including time-related information associated with said topical information;

c. TRIPS temporal software constructed to correlate one or more time-based TRIPS user inputs with said one or more inputs related to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof; and

d. means to output to said TRIPS user one or more temporal subsystem outputs related to said one or more time-based TRIPS user inputs and said one or more inputs related to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof.

76. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 75 further comprising means for linking said temporal database to one or more remote topic-information providers.

77. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 76 wherein said temporal database includes multimedia information related to said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof.

78. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 75 wherein said transactional subsystem includes a modifiable database of cost information associated with said travel, travel planning, activities associated with travel, or any combination thereof, and a comparator for relational evaluation of the cost associated with alternative travel arrangements, travel activities, or any combination thereof.

79. The TRIPS as claimed in claim 78 with said transactional subsystem further comprising an accounting subsystem constructed to identify said TRIPS user by an access code, and to regulate and account for usage of output from said controller to said TRIPS user.

80. A travel reservation information and planning system (TRIPS) designed to enable an individual or a group to customize travel plans, to select activities to be conducted, and to self-process arrangements associated with such plans and activities, the TRIPS system comprising:

a. computer means including display means capable of displaying geographical, textual, and multimedia presentations;

b. a TRIPS database comprising geographical, textual, or multimedia information, wherein said information is accessible by said computer means;

c. means for a user to transmit to said computer means data directed to travel plans or activities desired to be carried out;

d. means for said computer means to receive from one or more suppliers of travel capabilities or one or more goods or services providers information associated with said travel or said activities;

e. linking means for coupling said data from said user with said information from said one or more providers; and

f. an output from said computer means to said user, wherein said output is capable of being provided in any of a plurality of formats including tickets, coupons, summary sheets, electronic displays, pictorial displays, and audio outputs, and wherein information provided by said output includes singly or in combination geographic information, topical information, transactional information, or temporal information associated with said data entered into said computer means by said user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems that permit individuals to make travel arrangements and to plan travel activities, including such systems that are accessible via interconnected computer networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to Travel Reservation and Information Planning Systems (TRIPS) that provide travel information and special offers for goods and services such as accommodations and reservations associated with such areas of interest. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a completely integrated system enabling an individual to plan, review, locate, schedule and select or execute customized or personalized travel arrangements and activities in association with map displays or other output of travel routes, chronological events, diverse travel topics and geographic points of interest along such routes. In the present invention, all of these capabilities are integrated with a broad range of transactionable offers for goods/services such as transportation or performance tickets and diverse accommodations reservations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior systems for the general purpose of planning and arranging travel from one location to another have been developed by, among others, the assignee of the present application. The assignee's systems are described in the cross-referenced patent and patent applications noted above. In particular, those systems have involved the use of computer-based databases combined with software to create map displays of selectable and variable levels of detail. They also include the capability to selectively plan a trip from one location to another, with intermediate "waypoints" anywhere along the way. As part of that planning, the user of the prior associated systems has the capability to define the route of interest, to observe the location of points of interest and events of interest along the way and within a defined range of the route selected. Those points and events of interest may be observed in a multimedia display arrangeable by the user. Alternatively, points of interest and events of interest, which may be observed on the display at varying levels of detail, may be used to arrange a travel route as a function of interest in visiting those points rather than as a specific function of the route alone. Other features of the assignee's prior related systems include, but are not limited to: 1) the capability to retrieve detailed address locations; 2) coordinate between digital maps--observable on displays at selectable levels of detail--and corresponding paper maps, each having associated grid arrangements for referencing between the two maps; and 3) the capability to communicate map information between remote devices, which remote devices may include Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors and/or transmitters. These and other features are described more completely in the referenced patent and patent applications. While the assignee's noted prior systems provide extensive advantages in the planning of travel, in the observation of points of interest and events of interest along the way, and in the communication of such related information between two or more remote devices, they do not include a completely integrated capability to execute travel arrangements.

There are many systems designed to aid, in a limited way, in the planning and execution of travel arrangements. For many years, travel arrangements have been made for individuals by travel agencies having stand-alone systems with electronic or simple telephonic links to travel providers such as airlines, passenger trains, buses, car rental agencies and the like, and links to travel-related service providers, such as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities, etc. People interested in making travel arrangements, and in discovering the availability of activities located relatively proximate to one or more travel destinations, have been required to contact such travel agencies. Under this travel-arrangement method, an individual interested in traveling presented a travel origin and a travel destination and was advised by the agency of the availability and scheduling of travel means for that particular route. Requests for information regarding travel-related services and activities at the destination were handled in a similar fashion. Reservations for the travel and related services and activities were made by the travel agency and the individual was provided with an itinerary and paper materials necessary to conduct the travel, to issue the services, and to conduct the activities. In effect then, the individual was required to rely upon the travel agency for travel-related information and services. Any modifications in travel plans made in this way involved a considerable expenditure of time and effort on the part of the individual as well as the travel agency. Further, it was and is often the case that a particular travel agency may have information for only a fraction of the travel service and activity providers in existence. Under this method it is not unusual for the individual to be unable to completely custom plan a trip, to miss areas and points of interest, or to miss an activity of interest. Moreover, once the traveler is at a particular destination, or at an intermediary point along the way, the travel agent is of limited usefulness, particularly when specific information about, for example, emergency services or particular goods or services, is required on an immediate basis.

Another problem associated with travel arrangements made by parties other than the individual taking the trip is the paperwork involved. It is not unusual for there to be errors in the materials provided, for the materials to be delivered in an untimely manner, or for the individual to be required to travel to a service provider location--such as an airport--in order to obtain the materials, such as the airline tickets. This can be a significant inconvenience. These paperwork problems tend to be restricted to airline tickets and hotel reservation confirmations. However, a less developed but perhaps more important type of paperwork may be vouchers and various types of coupons associated with entertainment and activity sites located proximate to a travel destination. Such materials are even more inaccessible to the traveler who has yet to reach the destination. Moreover, activities coupons, for example, are distributed through a wide array of sources, such as direct mail, magazines, newspapers, and the like, that are not particularly easy for the user to obtain. It is apparent then that as the number of materials providers increases in association with travel plans, the number of errors associated with such materials will also increase. In addition, it is often difficult to keep track of a disparate set of papers, each with its own level of importance. While barcoding has become more widely used in many areas in recent years in order to reduce paperwork, its usage has been less than widespread in the travel field. "Ticketless travel" eliminates paper ticket documents but provides the consumer with a number or an alphanumeric code for confirmation and access.

In recent years, individuals have gained greater direct access to information related to travel service providers via interconnected computer networks defined broadly as "the Internet." Such information includes airline schedules, flight availability, and limited ticketing, hotel locations and telephone numbers, and entertainment location information. However, in order to reserve a seat on a plane, or a room in a hotel, the individual must still make separate contact with the particular provider and make the reservation based upon that provider's distinct reservation system. For example, if an individual wishes to travel from New York to Los Angeles via plane, he or she can get "online" and discover flight schedules and seating availability through an airline-schedule service provider, much as a travel agency does. However, in order to reserve a seat on a flight of interest, the individual commonly must make either direct contact with the airline service or some agent of the airline service and arrange payment, typically resulting in receipt of a paper output--the flight ticket--that must either be picked up by the traveler, or that is delivered to the traveler. Any attempt to integrate different aspects of a travel plan--a flight, a rental car, a hotel, entertainment activities, for example--must either be completed through a diligent search of a plurality of online service providers, or a trip to the aforementioned travel agent. Given the continually expanding scope of online services, the former approach is becoming increasingly difficult. Moreover, it fails to resolve the problem of creating an array of transactions that are conducted through a plurality of service providers and that must be coordinated in an organized manner. The present online travel planning capability also fails to eliminate the need to obtain documents such as itineraries, hotel bookings, flight tickets, activity reservations, etc., from multiple sources.

Examples of online systems apparently designed to give users greater flexibility in discovering travel possibilities include a reservation access system named Internet Travel Network located at http://www.itn.net, which includes access to an online booking system provided by Casto Travel located at http://www.casto.com. Both providers give browsers the capability to link up with many travel service providers who may or may not choose to make their services available to the browser. The booking system also permits "ticketless" travel, but ticketing must still come through a third party provider with separate fees. Microsoft.TM. at http:.backslash..backslash.www.expedia.msn.com offers a similar Internet Web Site "travel agency" to book flights, hotel rooms, and rental cars; to participate in travel forums; and to browse assorted news, weather, currency, multimedia guidebooks, and photographs. These types of online systems have some capability in permitting the user to gain access to a wide array of services, including travel and activities; however, as earlier noted, this capability is not easily enacted in that the user must go through a considerable search process in order to gather information regarding topics, events, available goods or services, and/or points of interest at the travel destination or along the travel route, or related to the user's selected travel time frame. Other Internet sites concentrate on local directory listing information but do not provide readily useable travel planning, itinerary, routing and/or booking capabilities--e.g., CitySearch.TM. and MetroBeat.TM. at http:.backslash..backslash.www.citysearch.com and Bigbook's Internet Yellow Pages at http:.backslash..backslash.www.bigbook.com.

In addition to the problems associated with an individual's attempt to carry out his or her own travel planning through existing separate online systems, there is the difficulty in appreciating the travel route and the activities, and points of interest along the way. That is, when an individual makes arrangements to travel to a destination, it is not unusual for that to be that individual's first visit to that location. As a result, there are any number of unknowns he or she must deal with, including, but not limited to, the hotel accommodations, the activities available, and--perhaps most importantly--how to get from the airport, train station, or bus terminal to an ultimate destination. For the first problem noted it is therefore desirable to have a visual display or other travel information output of the area to be visited, as well as previews of the accommodations and/or any points of interest in the area, scheduled events in the area, topical information, and the availability of accommodations, goods and/or services available in the area. There is no presently existing completely integrated system using such individualized multimedia presentations in a travel planning system. For the second problem, a "customizable" map or other travel plan output to which the user can attach selected travel information from such previews would be particularly useful. In that regard, it is to be noted that there are several digital map systems that may be accessed via storage means, including, but not limited to, compact disk-read only memory (CDROM) or PCMCIA cards.

As specifically noted in the cross-referenced COMPUTER-AIDED ROUTING SYSTEM application, a variety of computer hardware and software travel planning aids are currently available on the market primarily for vacation and recreational travel planning. A number of the travel guide software packages focus on National Parks of the United States or recreational tours and activities with prepared travelogs or prepared assemblages of multimedia travel information on the different recreational geographical locations or recreational activities. Such travel software programs are exemplified for example by the America NavigaTour.TM. MediAlive.TM. multimedia travel guide produced by CD Technology, Inc.; the Great Vacations.TM. Family Travel Guide by Positive Software Solutions; the Adventures.TM. CDROM Program for worldwide adventure travel by Deep River Publishing, Inc.; and National Parks of America, a CDROM product of Multicom Publishing, Inc. which contains a directory of all National Parks in the United States.

Rand McNally produces a software travel planning product under the trademark TRIPMAKER.TM. for planning a trip by car in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Rand McNally Tripmaker.TM. software also calculates quickest, shortest, and preferred scenic routes for the trip planner. While the Rand McNally product incorporates a database of many points of interest, the multimedia travelog information appears limited to preplanned scenic tours.

Similarly the American Automobile Association in cooperation with Compton's NewMedia also provides travel planning from starting point to destination point with stopping points in between. The CDROM product contains a database of travel information. However the multimedia information available from the database appears limited to "suggested routes of travel," again limiting user choice.

In each case it appears that travel information from multimedia sources is preassembled by editors so that the user or trip planner is limited to "canned" or prepared multimedia travelogs of prescribed, suggested, or preplanned tours. In addition, the user is limited to information fragments about this or that particular object of interest or this or that particular place. There is no opportunity or user capability of selectivity in constructing a user customized travelog of assembled multimedia information for previewing a particular user determined route of travel. The user is relegated to travelogs and multimedia assemblages prepared for routes and tours proposed by other editors. Moreover, there is no provision for the capability to permit an individual or group to execute the travel plans once developed. That is, a user may observe a travel sequence of interest on a computer display, but is then required to one or more travel service providers to enact the plan. Further, travel arrangement materials must be obtained from those providers, or even from an intermediary.

Some attempts have been made to give individuals and groups direct access to travel service providers. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,499 issued to Garback describes an individual-accessible planning system that permits a user to develop travel arrangements through linkage to service providers and to ticket providers. However, there is no capability to observe the travel location on a digital display in conjunction with the development of the travel arrangements. Moreover, these travel arrangements tend to be fixed based upon pre-set travel destinations. That is, the user cannot create a customized travel plan and execute that plan through a mix of travel arrangements. Garback can only provide the materials necessary to travel from point A to point B--if those points are airports--and to get the basic car and hotel that most travelers require. There is no provision for planning travel to locations where there is not an airport. There is also no provision for detailed information--multimedia or otherwise--related to points of interest at point B, or at any intermediate point.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,953 issued to Webber et al. describes a system that provides the user with information regarding airline flight options. In particular, the system is directed to weighting various flight options by expense, convenience, and availability, and giving the user travel possibilities on that basis. In a sense, the Webber system is customizable; however, it is specifically restricted to making flight arrangements and so the customizing is limited to that part of a trip. For this reason, the Webber system suffers from the same limitations associated with the Garback device.

In general, these prior computer reservation services (CRS) are basically limited to commercial airline reservations. As a minimum input threshold, the prior CRS require that the user knows and enters their intended departure point, final destination, any intermediate stopovers, plus the travel time frame. Existing Internet travel information sites have taken these same limitations--poorly compensating in some cases by giving the user access by indiscriminate "hot links" to an overwhelming variety, number, and selection of other Internet sites containing undifferentiated and uneven amounts of travel information along with circular hot links to similar sites. These systems offer little or no computerized aid to answer, or even to ask, fundamental common-sense travel planning questions--such as when, where, what to do or who to visit, how to get there and back, and/or how much do comparable travel arrangements or itineraries cost.

It is to be noted that other travel arrangement systems have been described. They, along with the prior-art systems previously discussed, fail, however, in that they do not provide a complete access system that gives the user all of the information of interest and materials required when travel is involved. Moreover, they fail to provide a system that takes into account all of the variations in user background that influences travel choices. While this variability has not been completely addressed, there are several general attributes in a complete travel planning and execution system that would address that variability. In general, it is of importance to a user to be able to combine two or more of the following options within a single integrated travel/activity planning system: 1) consider topics, activities, or things to do apart from a specific destination; 2) set the travel destination or destinations; 3) set times/dates for the start and finish of a possible trip; 4) determine the mode or modes of travel required to reach those destinations; 5) discover information regarding points of interest and activities along the travel route and/or at the destinations; 6) discover information on events of interest, scheduled performances, meetings and the like as related to specific dates/times, topics and/or places; 7) get information on transportation, lodgings and other accommodations available at the destinations and/or at specified dates/times; 8) make the reservations associated with the travel, the accommodations, and the activities available, plus take advantage of diverse, special offers for goods/services from participating third-party providers; 9) get the documentation necessary to carry out the travel and related activities, such as tickets, ticket vouchers, price discount or extra service coupons, etc.; 10) observe the travel route at various levels of magnification, the destinations, events of interest, travel topics, and points of interest located on a map display; and 11) get travel plan output such as a paper printout of the map display or equivalent text, audio, electronic or other output that may include information regarding the points of interest as well as physical documentation or equivalent codes that may be the tickets, etc.

Therefore, what is needed is a system with such complete integration of all aspects of travel/activity required by a user. Such a system should be capable of permitting a user to control and conduct such travel and/or activities as a function of four basic questions in any order and in any combination. Those questions are: WHERE?, WHAT?, WHEN?, and HOW?

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new Travel Reservation and Information System (TRIPS) that permits a user to custom-define and examine a travel route and/or plans based upon answers to the questions noted above. It is also an object of the invention to provide a TRIPS that is capable of determining, reserving, and/or ticketing locations along a travel route between a user-selected travel origin and travel destination, including user-selected waypoints of interest along the way. A feature of the invention is that the user can construct a highly selective travel route that incorporates waypoints selected by the user and establish a computer link with state-of-the-art computerized ticket and reservation systems, communications, and software. Another object of the invention is to provide TRIPS software capable of presenting map and ticket documents that embody the user-defined travel route so that the documents may be printed--e.g., laser printed on perforated sheets of cardstock. The printed map and ticket documents may include reservation codes which are machine readable for automated processing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide TRIPS software permitting users to compare reservation data and "shop" for ticket prices. The TRIPS software incorporating state-of-the-art computerized accounting and transaction processes. A feature of the invention is that the trip planner is no longer relegated to the prescribed or suggested routes, tours, and pricing of travel agents. Nor is the trip planner limited to a mail delay (such as when ordering tickets by telephone) or tedious price checking with an unmanageable number of ticketing agents. Rather, consumers and providers are saved the duplication and inconvenience of printing, issuing, distributing, presenting, and processing any separate reservation requests or paper documents.

The user constructs a user-defined travel route including transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs within a region of interest along the travel route. The TRIPS software responds by assembling a user-customized travelog or sequential assemblage of multimedia information for previewing the entire trip. The travel route including transportation routes, waypoints, and objects or points of interest can then be changed if necessary to suit the user preferences and choices. The user can then reserve, purchase, and print a ticket--while printing the customized travelog--all from the same computer terminal--e.g., stand-alone PC, networked PC, handheld personal digital assistant (PDA), or "dumb" network terminal.

An advantage of the invention is that travel planning can be optimized in an iterative process which incorporates reserving, purchasing, and ticketing the planned travel quickly and personally. The user constructs a travel route and at the same time constructs a customized travelog for previewing the initial travel route. On the basis of the multimedia preview of the initial travel route, the trip planner undertakes revision of the travel route, e.g. by changes in the selected transportation routes, waypoints, and selected POIs. The travel route is recalculated by the TRIPS software through reservation system links and the user-customized travelog is also reconstructed for further preview. Further refinements can follow in subsequent iterations until a satisfactory travel route is achieved and a ticket purchase is made though ticketing system links. All accounting and transaction information is tracked by the TRIPS software and a hard-copy ticket and map are then immediately printed for the user.

The present invention is specifically designed to account for the variability in backgrounds, interest, and situations associated with each traveler. In addition, the TRIPS invention manages diverse travel planning needs, focusing and shaping individualized, computer-aided information processes around flexible combinations of place, time, topic and transaction inquiries and responses. Prior-art automobile routing software largely fails to address alternate transportation modes, and fails to provide substantial scheduling and chronological information and functions. As earlier noted, the prior computer reservation services (CRS) are limited to commercial airline reservations.

In order to accomplish these results, the present invention provides TRIPS for use with a digital computer device, a digital computer display, if desired, and a computer link. The computer link may be through the Internet or directly to a TRIPS online facility. A set of electronic maps is provided for presentation and user review on the computer display. A TRIPS database is accessible online or from a memory storage device and contains geographically locatable objects (loc/objects), attachments of supplemental points of interest (POIs), and attachments of scheduled events of interest (EOIs). The POIs and EOIs are organized into a plurality of types for user selection of loc/objects or POIs individually and by type. The loc/object or POI types constitute electronic overlays of the database for display over the electronic maps on the computer display. As used in this specification and claims, the phrase "points of interest" or POI's is generally used to refer to loc/objects for which multimedia information is available for describing the POI's and presenting the points of interest in a multimedia travelog as hereafter described. Similarly, the phrase "events of interest" or EOI's is generally used to refer to scheduled events for which multimedia information is available for describing the EOI's and presenting the events of interest in the multimedia travelog.

Typically, the TRIPS database is a Geographical Information System (GIS). Such a GIS manages data in the GIS database in relation to geographical coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system. Thus, the TRIPS database manager relates points of interest and any other loc/objects of the database with particular locations on or near the surface of the earth in terms of coordinate locations such as latitude and longitude. The multimedia information hereafter described is similarly identified with the coordinate location of the subject POIs.

The TRIPS software constructed for user travel planning using the electronic maps presented on the computer display permits user selection of a travel origin, travel destination, and desired waypoints between the travel origin and travel destination. The TRIPS software calculates, delineates and displays a travel route between the travel origin and the travel destination via the selected waypoints. In conjunction with the reservation system, the travel route is calculated according to user choice of the shortest travel route, quickest travel route, user determined preferred travel route taking into account seat (boat, plane, train, automobile, . . . etc.) availability, pricing, and departure/arrival times. The reservation system is not limited to modes of travel. Lodging, restaurant, cultural event, sporting event, theme park, tour, recreational, and other types of reservations are also accomplished.

The TRIPS software permits the user to compare and "shop" for ticket/reservation prices by incorporating a transaction subsystem to handle inquiries, offers, bids comparisons, options and proposals to buy and sell, commitments and cancellations, billing, credit account validation, debit transfers, and "cyber-money" transfers. Typically, a TRIPS-generated itinerary document including maps and tickets will be printed on a laser printer or some similar printing device. A TRIPS-generated map/ticket document would be printed with appropriate encoding--e.g., bar codes--on the ticket parts, thereby allowing users to board airline flights, obtain rental cars, gain entry to a theater show, and more, all without having to wait in line, purchase, and/or present a separate ticket. The user would simply pass the map/ticket document over a scanning device which would "read" the bar code in order to perform appropriate recordkeeping and grant access. While bar-coding is suggested, other techniques may be used such as utilizing a unique numerical code which can be read by a more literate scanning device or the magnetic ink technology used for automatic check processing.

A feature and advantage of TRIPS is that the travel planner can preview on the computer display a travelog particularly customized for the user-defined travel route including both multimedia information on the transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs selected by the user, and actual reservation information on availability, arrival/departure times, pricing, . . . etc. The trip planner is neither constrained to viewing "canned" or preselected multimedia assemblages and travelogs for suggested routes planned by other editors, nor limited to a narrow choice of reservations. Rather, TRIPS delivers a user-customized travelog or multimedia information assemblage directed specifically to the user-defined travel route including the user-selected transportation routes, waypoints and POIs with convenient and immediate reservation and ticketing of the user-determined travel plans.

As a result of this preview, the trip planner can revise the travel route and travel plans. The TRIPS software then recalculates the travel route and allows user review of reservation information. This affords the user further opportunity for selecting new or different POIs in the newly defined region of interest along the new travel route. TRIPS further provides for previews of temporal, i.e., scheduled events of interest (EOIs)--as well as transactionable goods/services coupons or offers--found in the user-defined geographic area of interest. A new multimedia travelog preview is assembled corresponding to the new travel route and the process is repeated until the user achieves a satisfactory travel route and travel plan with the user-preferred reservations based on the iterative trip planning process and multimedia previews made available by the invention.

A feature of the invention is that one or more points of interest in the user-defined region of interest along a travel route can be converted by the user to waypoints on a new travel route. The POI status therefore changes from a possible side excursion off the main travel route to an actual waypoint on the new or revised travel route. The user therefore has available a wide selection of possible sites for defining a travel route and travel plan including route intersections, named places on the electronic map, various modes of travel, numerous POIs that may be reserved (e.g. theme parks, restaurants, or cultural tours), and the array of geographically locatable objects about which there is multimedia and/or reservation information in the TRIPS database.

In the preferred example the TRIPS software is constructed to display a user-customized map of the user-defined travel route. User-selected POIs and modes of transportation in the user-defined region of interest are listed along one side of the map with travel mode labeling and pointers to respective POI locations in the region of interest. Travel directions for the travel route are listed along the other side of the map with pointers to respective intersections corresponding to directions along the travel route. Preferably the map is vertically oriented with the travel origin at the bottom of the strip map and travel destination toward the top of the strip map with adequate spacing for ticket information and bar coding. An advantage of this arrangement is that the strip map and travel route are always oriented in the direction of travel and the right and left directions coincide with actual right and left directions.

In the preferred example the digital computer also incorporates a printer and the TRIPS software is constructed for printing a hard-copy map/ticket of the user-customized travel plan. This hard-copy show the travel route, list of POIs and pointers along one side of the strip map, list of directions and pointers along the other side of the strip map, itinerary of travel, ticketing information, and bar coded reservation and purchase information. The printed hard-copy is preferably vertically oriented also with the travel origin at the bottom and travel destination toward the top and provides an easily viewable area for reservation/ticketing information with a bar code near an edge.

The electronic maps, TRIPS database, and TRIPS software are typically stored on a CDROM and the digital computer incorporates a CDROM drive. The TRIPS software may include a replace function for updating the electronic maps and TRIPS database on the CDROM with replacement or supplemental information from a remote database (e.g., online database of remote server), global positioning system (GPS) receiver, PDA or another memory device.

In the preferred example, the TRIPS software is composed of a reservation-information-and-planning system linked to one or more travel service provider. The TRIPS user can be provided with communications links for online communication and transfer of reservation data, ticketing data, spatially related data, and software tools for map reading between computers and between users. For example a TRIPS user may communicate with another TRIPS system or user for transfer of user location data and any other spatially related data. In addition to a travel service providing reservation and ticketing data, the TRIPS user can also communicate with external databases, a central communications service bureau, and on-line mapping services for latest information relating to loc/objects, routes, and map modifications, priority messages, etc.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the TRIPS software is coupled to a radio location receiver such as a loran receiver or a GPS receiver for generating signals corresponding to the geographical coordinate location and direction of travel of a TRIPS user. Dead reckoning location systems and hybrid location systems may also be used. The database manager is constructed for displaying on the TRIPS computer display the location, direction of travel, speed and traveling route of the TRIPS user. The GPS receiver loaded with TRIPS data can be used in a separate and independent TRIPS without any databases of loc/objects as a stand-alone system or in combination with the second database and other available internal and external databases for display of selected loc/objects from such databases. A TRIPS user having made reservations and after obtaining a printed map/ticket may then use TRIPS electronic output as downloaded into a PDA or GPS to guide the user during their travel. Alternatively, the TRIPS electronic output may be sent on to an accommodations provider for making of further travel plan reservations. TRIPS users can exchange data for display, reservations, ticketing, or other use such as user location information, departure/arrival time information, and ticket pricing information. This is accomplished over a variety of communications links, wired or wireless, adding a communications dimension to the TRIPS.

In general then, the TRIPS invention provides flexible, selective input for a great variety of simple or complex sequential travel planning inquiries, as motivated and suited to the requirements, preferences and idiosyncrasies of individual TRIPS users. No prior art system handles even a modest portion of the whole range of most obvious user travel planning unknowns, problems or questions--like when to go where for what and how? Rather, prior art commercial airplane flight computer reservation systems (CRS), for example, assume users have already selected a travel time frame, departure point and destination. In other words, for the user to access any flight reservation information at all, prior art CRS require initial input of times and places for the start and finish of a potential flight. No provisions are made to ask or answer such typical user travel planning questions as follows. When is Bob Dylan, or the Bolshoi Ballet, or the New York Yankees, or migrating whooping cranes, or the new 1997 Ford Taurus GL, or President Bill Clinton, scheduled to appear? Where can we go on a family vacation to enjoy certain favorite activities? Or where in New England can one buy/repair a specific brand/model of camera? What can I do for entertainment, religious worship, cultural enlightenment, or other pastimes, during leisure hours between the scheduled appointments on my upcoming business trip? How much will it cost for tickets, accommodations and transportation for our proposed travel plan? The TRIPS invention, however, enables TRIPS users to compose inquiries and seek responses to many, many such common travel planning issues by means of flexible, adjustable, selective, integrated, successive utilization of the HOW?, WHEN?, WHERE? and WHAT/WHO? main input menus, related TRIPS sub-menus and/or other equivalent input means--as detailed hereinafter.

In addition, as earlier indicated, flexible, variegated operation is an important ingredient of the TRIPS novel capability to produce "customized" or individualized outputs that reflect and record selective usage of the TRIPS invention by different individuals in pursuit of personal travel objectives. Such customized or individualized import or meaning for different users is not necessarily expressed by differences in the content or structure of the resulting output. The entire significance of a particular item of TRIPS output for an individual user often stems, at least in part, from the specific combination of diverse travel information produced by the specific sequences of related TRIPS processes employed by the individual user during the particular TRIPS travel planning session in which the resulting output item was produced.

This capability is particularly applicable when the user seeks to make travel information inquiries while en route; e.g., from a remote location such as a moving vehicle. Such inquiries include: requests for emergency services, immediate reservations for lodging, meals, or transportation connections, or travel directions. In this regard the present invention provides a comprehensive travel planning service that can handle immediate requests from travelers en route or at remote locations, as well as more contemplative advanced planning.

Further, TRIPS output in various forms or media can be coordinated or correlated--e.g. printed paper maps used in conjunction with text, graphic and/or audio digital output by means of a system of named map grids. These various forms of TRIPS output complement or replace, and improve upon the conventional, loose and disparate sets of travel papers, documents and related paraphernalia typically used before a trip for planning and preparation, as well as during a journey for orientation, reference and access--such as crumpled maps with a jumble of tickets, disorganized notes, scattered itineraries, address or appointment books, more or less up-to-date brochures and guide books, and so forth. From digital displays interactively developed with user input, previews and selections, TRIPS prints out integrated, individualized travel plans on paper media including: built-in tickets and/or reservation confirmations with alphanumeric or bar codes for automated recognition; usefully scaled maps showing pertinent details; attached EOI/POI data; related travel directions; important contact names, numbers, and addresses; plus supplemental information selected by the user on locations, events and topics--organized into a convenient, orderly, compact arrangement keyed to the geographic and temporal dimensions of the user's planned route of travel. TRIPS output also includes the online transmission of the user's reservation requests, ticket purchases, changes, credit/payment arrangements, and so forth, directly to third-party providers participating in TRIPS. For use in conjunction with, or in lieu of, various conventional or TRIPS travel papers, TRIPS travel plan output is provided in various digital electronic formats--for example, "ported" into various compact, easily portable, "shirt-pocket" or hand-held, electronic computer devices and/or transmitted to specialized remote or in-vehicle TRIPS computer devices, as detailed hereinafter.

The invention also provides a new travel reservation information and planning process using a digital computer with computer display and electronic maps in combination with a travel service provider for processing custom travel plan and activities associated with travel. The process also uses TRIPS software for user travel planning. The process steps of the invention include providing user access to a database of mappable geographic information designed to produce a user-determined digital map on a display related to a user-determined travel plan. Most importantly, the process steps further include linking travel information associated with the geographic information and making the travel information accessible to the user. The process proceeds by making reservation information and materials associated with services or goods available from one or more travel service providers accessible to the user. A critical feature of this process is that it provides the user with an useful output associated with the travel plan not found in prior processes.

According to the process, further steps include linking the digital computer with the database via a modem for remote accessibility. The output of the process may be a map/ticket combination with machine readable encoded ticket and reservation information. The output may also include travel materials such as, but not limited to, airline tickets, POI displays, hotel couchers, restaurant coupons, and event tickets. The process may further accomplish linking and electronic data transfer between the digital computer and another digital computer, a PDA, or a GPS receiver. Other features of the system and process are set forth in further detail in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic perspective view of an end-user engaged in a typical individual TRIPS travel planning session, or episode of use, according to the present travel reservation information planning system invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates preferred TRIPS "map ticket" travel plan output--as provided in electronic, hard copy or other media.

FIG. 1C depicts a preferred TRIPS geographic travel planning graphic user interface or GUI display with WHERE?, WHAT/WHO?, WHEN? and HOW? main input menus and related sub-menus.

FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the interactive TRIPS system for handling retail consumer queries about places, times, topics and/or transactions such as reservations, tickets and various special offers.

FIG. 3 is a simplified representation of the preferred TRIPS data structure or "data packet", as used in the TRIPS relational database, electronic communications or transfers and the construction of individual travel planning sessions,

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the overall TRIPS user interface, providing for a variety of sequential topical, geographic, temporal and transactional travel planning operations.

FIG. 5 including FIGS. 5A-5D, represents functioning within the TRIPS Geographic Subsystem--showing how route-related points of interest (POIs) are circumscribed and gathered within user-defined proximity to a computed route for multimedia preview.

FIG. 6 outlines the TRIPS Temporal Subsystem for databasing times and dates, scheduling and other processing of timely travel information.

FIG. 7 represents relational and relevance functions among the TRIPS Subsystems.

FIGS. 8A and 8B, details the TRIPS Accounting Subsystem, including membership enrollment or user registration functions, third party provider input/output, billing and ratings functions and relations with other TRIPS Subsystems in generating map/ticket output.

FIG. 9 exemplifies TRIPS capabilities for automated and/or integrated sequences of characteristic travel information processing, describing simplified, standardized "push-button" travel information inquiries from users at remote locations and equipped with wireless communication and GPS .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate a typical use episode--plus preferred outputs and inputs--for a computerized online, interactive, Travel Reservation Information Planning System or TRIPS, according to the present invention. In FIG. 1A, a home user or retail consumer 100 is engaged in the midst of a TRIPS computer-aided travel planning session on a desktop personal computer (PC) 105 with a computer communications link 107. An example of a TRIPS "map ticket" output is printed out at 109, and the user 100 now faces the TRIPS main input menus at 111, perhaps preparing to plan another trip or to revise his prior travel plan. More details on TRIPS output--which can also be digital or various mixtures of printed and electronic output--are provided hereinafter, particularly relative to FIG. 1B. A preferred TRIPS user input menu 111 configuration is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1A

In FIG. 1A, the retail TRIPS user 100 is engaged in travel planning on a desktop PC 105, which has at least one computer communications connection or modem link 107 with one or more private or public computer networks such as the Internet. Links or distributed communications among computers are preferred for online access to updated TRIPS information and functions--as well as interactive communications with one or more third-party providers of diverse travel information, reservation, accommodation, transportation, ticketing, and/or other travel-related goods/services. Limited TRIPS embodiments, however, could be provided wholly on tangible media (e.g., by CD-ROM at 117) for use on stand-alone computers or local area networks. For example, hotel chains, state tourism bureaus, or local chambers of commerce could publish TRIPS embodiments wholly on disk media--as digital travel brochures--for planning trips, printing maps, discount offers, trip directions and other such information about a limited range of attractions, events or seasonal activities confined exclusively to "their" accommodations or local venue.

For more comprehensive travel planning, the preferred TRIPS embodiment shown in FIG. 1A provides information, functions and interactive sessions by a combination of online or distributed software working in concert with locally installed TRIPS software data and capabilities. For example, basic enduring mapping functions and data can be provided on CD-ROM at 117, which reduces delays involved in online transmission of masses of graphic mapping data. Along with these mapping capabilities, the CD-ROM product, typically purchased by phone order or in a retail store, also includes a subscription offer, user instructions and automatic set-up program, inviting and facilitating easy connection and interaction with authorized, compatible online TRIPS services. The CD-ROM product offers attractive maps and functionality as a stand-alone product--readily enhanced with updated and "real-time" travel information and services via distributed computer communications.

Thus, the preferred TRIPS embodiment, shown in use in FIG. 1A, comes partly on tangible media, for example, as a North American Atlas on CD-ROM with a TRIPS "starter" kit. This "starter" kit encourages and eases online connection(s) with one or more TRIPS service providers, via a modem link 107, typically over the Internet. Once online, the preferred embodiment lets the user "view" or download updated TRIPS map data, functions and timely, topical travel information. The user can make reservations and buy various tickets in "real-time" online--and download "today's" special discount offers from hosts of participating restaurants, hotels, retail shops, car rental agents, outdoor expedition outfits, or other third-party providers of goods/services throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. When needed, TRIPS user inquiries can be processed online or via computer communications for immediate treatment and response. In sum, the FIG. 1A preferred embodiment facilitates access to current information and "real-time" services online--while also providing for rapid display of updated information in conjunction with locally installed and deployed complex graphics (e.g. dynamic, multi-scale map displays)--and/or multimedia previews of updated or supplemental information about places, events, topics, and/or special good/service offers.

Alternatively, all TRIPS functions, data and services can be provided entirely online (i.e. without significant stand-alone software components)--for example, from a central TRIPS service bureau, or by means of a TRIPS Internet World Wide Web Site. Such purely online TRIPS embodiments can be implemented utilizing recent advances in distributed applications, "agents" or online "applets" developed in Java, or equivalent computer languages--plus other state-of-the-art software enhancements for online or Internet usage.

The consumer or user 100 in FIG. 1A is typically accessing TRIPS at home or work using a state-of-the-art desktop PC computer 105, for example, including Intel 386 to 586 CPU or the equivalent, ample RAM and hard drive capacity plus standard input devices like keyboard and mouse or equivalents (not separately labeled in FIG. 1A). The preferred embodiment desktop PC platform in FIG. 1A includes a visual display or CRT 115, a CD-ROM drive 117, speakers or audio output for sound/voice 119 and a printer 121. Among other optional peripherals not shown in FIG. 1A, TRIPS user platforms can also include text/graphic scanner or reader input, touch-screen technology, voice recognition/synthesis equipment and other input/output devices.

TRIPS can also work with alternative end-user hardware platforms; e.g., networked work stations; "kiosk" information terminals linked to a central server; portable laptop, notebook, in-vehicle, or handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) portable computer devices typically equipped with a wireless communications and/or user location, e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities. TRIPS can also be provided via "smart Cable TV" interfaces that combine simplified PC functionality, input/output with a mass-market "home" television appliance. Moreover, TRIPS may be implemented on a relatively low-tech PC functioning primarily or solely as an Internet or online travel reservation information and planning system terminal in the user's home or place of work, or even in the user's vehicle or handheld at a remote field location.

FIG. 1A offers a perspective view of a TRIPS travel planning session by a typical retail individual "home" consumer. Other service models also apply. For example, a private business or public agency could offer TRIPS services "over-the-counter", via telephone or fax inquiry service, whereby employees of the private or public entity would handle client inquiries by using the TRIPS system on behalf of the client, who is then provided TRIPS output in some form. A central service bureau can dispense TRIPS services via one or more distributed travel information "kiosk" terminals. TRIPS end-users are not necessarily just individual "home" consumers. Small businesses, people at work, corporate purchasing agents, or "wholesale" buyers of travel service, vacationing tourists or business travelers can all use TRIPS. For example, simplified standardized TRIPS travel information queries via wireless communications from remote and/or mobile in-vehicle users equipped with GPS are described hereinafter--with reference to FIG. 9 in particular.

Illustrated in FIG. 1A and described further hereinafter, TRIPS preferred output includes; (1) the digital display 111 for user reference, as well as voice or sound output 119; (2) paper or sheet media maps, travel directions, itineraries or travel schedules, reservation/discount offer/ticket documents, supplemental text and/or graphic information about events of interest (EOI) or points of interest (POI) 109; (3) TRIPS travel information output electronically transmitted to remote devices by way of one or more links for computer communication 107; and (4) comparable output from a TRIPS session transferred via a standard computer communications "port" 123 into one or more portable computer devices 125 for more convenient use on foot, in a vehicle and other typical travel circumstances. The information content of different forms of TRIPS output can be identical or equivalent, selective (i.e. edited or revised) or complementary. Moreover, TRIPS output in various forms or media can be coordinated or correlated--e.g. printed paper maps used in conjunction with text, graphic and/or audio digital output by means of a system of named map grids. These various forms of TRIPS output complement or replace, and improve upon the conventional, loose and disparate sets of travel papers, documents and related paraphernalia typically used before a trip for planning and preparation, as well as during a journey for orientation, reference and access--such as crumpled maps with a jumble of tickets, disorganized notes, scattered itineraries, address or appointment books, more or less up-to-date brochures and guide books, and so forth. From digital displays interactively developed with user input, previews and selections, TRIPS prints out integrated, individualized travel plans on paper media including: built-in tickets and/or reservation confirmations with alphanumeric or bar codes for automated recognition; usefully scaled maps showing pertinent details; attached EOI/POI data; related travel directions; important contact names, numbers, and addresses; plus supplemental information selected by the user on locations, events and topics--organized into a convenient, orderly, compact arrangement keyed to the geographic and temporal dimensions of the user's planned route of travel. TRIPS output also includes the online transmission of the user's reservation requests, ticket purchases, changes, credit/payment arrangements, and so forth, directly to third-party providers participating in TRIPS. For use in conjunction with, or in lieu of, various conventional or TRIPS travel papers, TRIPS travel plan output is provided in various digital electronic formats--for example, "ported" into various compact, easily portable, "shirt-pocket" or hand-held, electronic computer devices and/or transmitted to specialized remote or in-vehicle TRIPS computer devices, as detailed hereinafter.

Various forms of such TRIPS output preferably get "taken along" on actual trips--like conventional maps and tickets--in order to aid the traveler en route. In other words, the TRIPS invention provides handy, electronic and/or paper output for use while actually traveling: e.g., to find one's way in unfamiliar surroundings; locating a point of interest or essential facilities (e.g., parking, public safety, rest rooms, etc.); safekeeping arrival/departure information and/or other critical dates, times and events; confirming accommodation or transportation pre-arrangements; to access or acquire tickets to places or events; "cashing-in" special offers from TRIPS third-party providers for transport, meals, rooms and other goods/services; keeping track of important trip-related business/individual names, phone numbers and street addresses; plus other routine tasks involved in following or changing travel plans.

For enhanced portability and automated management of TRIPS output and other functions en route, desktop personal computers and other relatively bulky or power-hungry TRIPS user platforms include standard communication ports (e.g. Universal Serial Bus, IEEE 1394, infra-red, or the equivalent). As shown at 123 in FIG. 1A, such ports enable the transfer of maps, POI/EOI data or attractions, routes, reservations, schedules, directions, and other TRIPS information to and/or from one or more of various compact, highly portable computer device(s) 125. For example, the TRIPS user can transfer all or part of the output from a TRIPS travel planning session into a PDA, a "smart" mobile telephone, a GPS position sensor, an audio recorder/player device, a shirt-pocket or hand-held digital appointment book/scheduler/calendar/almanac, a miniaturized map database display, and/or a "ticketless travel" smart card--among other compatible, small and highly portable computer devices 125. Thus, as uploaded into a small, highly mobile device 125, TRIPS outputs are readily available for handy user reference and other operations out "in the field" (i.e., en-route while actually traveling): for example, "on the spot" text/audio travel directions; GPS waypoint guidance; claiming, confirmation and/or verification of discount offers and reservations; selected user notes on scheduled events of interest (EOIs); even sounding an alarm as the time for an important appointment or flight approaches; and various other timely, topical, locational and transactional travel information chores.

The TRIPS preferred embodiment in FIG. 1A generates diverse, useful outputs in response to user input inquiries configured around the common-sense travel issues of (1) WHERE? (Places), (2) WHAT?/WHO? (Topics), (3) WHEN? (Times), and/or HOW TO GO & HOW MUCH COST? (Accounts). Based on such intuitive issues, an overall user input configuration or typical main user input menu screen is illustrated at 111 in FIG. 1A and further described with reference to FIG. 1C. TRIPS inputs can be configured around other equivalent intuitive or mnemonic, user-friendly input menus (e.g. "Dates.backslash.Times, People, Places & Things to Do" or "Routes & Directions, Tickets & Reservations, Emergency Services" or "Anyplace, Anytime, Anything" or "Maps, Schedules, Lists & Tickets" and so forth). Preferred TRIPS embodiments respond with interactive processing to these "user friendly" travel planning inquiries by sets of operations or sequences of functions which retrieve, focus, and integrate characteristic travel information within TRIPS Subsystems for processing geographical, topical, temporal and accounting data records organized as a state-of-the-art relational database.

As introduced in FIG. 1A, preferred TRIPS embodiments enable users to create individualized or "custom" travel plans output in various formats or media by the manipulation and adjustment of selectable travel planning capabilities. Fully articulated TRIPS embodiments, for example, typically include optional capabilities such as: input and processing of transportation mode preferences, travel time/date frames, starting point, final destination and optional intermediate waypoints; digital map information and functions such as mapping types or unique geographic points of interest (POIs); independent user exploration or computerized sorting/relating of travel topics, temporal events of interest (EOIs), tickets, reservations and other special offers for goods/services; selectable text, audio and/or graphic supplemental or updated information on selected topics, POI/EOI data and special offers; scheduling tools to evaluate and manage the temporal aspect of trip itineraries; multimedia travelogs or previews of places, events, topics as well as transportation, other accommodations, goods/services for which tickets/reservations/special offers are available via TRIPS; travel budgeting functionality for comparative analysis of factors such as travel time, distance, cost, etc.; and so forth. To generate compact, individualized "map ticket" travel plan output, optimally arranged in geographic/temporal order of travel, users preferably engage, explore, integrate and/or reiterate two or more of such TRIPS travel information operations in order to generate, shape, focus, elaborate, edit and finish personalized output tailored to the user's personal travel preferences, needs, budget and timetable--as described hereinafter.

To illustrate the advantages and workings of the TRIPS invention, the instant disclosure posits typical travel planning situations or hypothetical cases. FIG. 1B, for example, presents part of a larger TRIPS travel plan generated by a fictional user planning to take a trip away from home in Knox, Ind. To simulate ordinary travel circumstances, it is assumed that this individual user wants a family member to drive them to the airport, to eat out together somewhere on the way to Chicago's O'Hare Airport to catch a flight. Perhaps, this hypothetical traveler is bound for a faraway location, wants to rent a car, and/or attend an event requiring an advance reservation. Added typical travel planning problems or issues could include where to stay for the night at the faraway location, arranging a return flight, getting home from the airport, and so forth. The TRIPS invention aids users with such practical travel planning issues or problems and accommodates differing travel requirements, styles and agendas.

For additional help illustrating how TRIPS works, this invention description focuses on two hypothetical individuals--Sara Smith and John Jones--who both are presumed to be residents of Knox, Ind. Sara Smith illustrates the travel planning needs, concerns, motivations and approaches of a person who plans to take a vacation in the near future. Sara Smith wants to explore different things to do, possible destinations, places and/or people to visits, methods of transportation, and so forth. By contrast, John Jones' primary destination and travel time-frame are already set by his hypothetical situation--like many business or family trips. John Jones is planning a trip to attend his grandmother's birthday party which is already firmly scheduled for 5:30-7:30 PM on Sep. 13, 1996 at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal Me. (see e.g. FIG. 1C at 167). John Jones has a known or previously established travel destination, date/time around which to build and optimize a TRIPS travel plan, among other obvious differences--while Sara Smith wants help selecting a specific recreational focus, places to go, travel time frame, as well as optimal transportation, accommodations, scheduled events and budgeting for her vacation travel plan. The present invention is also applicable to varied travel planning circumstances and approaches, more complex requirements, situations and itineraries, as well as simpler travel scenarios. Moreover, the TRIPS software does not dictate that Sara Smith and John Jones start with the same input or follow parallel paths or steps in their individual travel planning sessions.

FIG. 1B

FIG. 1B illustrates TRIPS output--typically, a digital display or hard-copy paper media printout; however, output from TRIPS can include digital text, audio, and/or graphics, which can be electronically transferred to other remote or portable computer devices, for example, a third party computer reservation system (CRS) or a handheld PDA or in-vehicle GPS equipped device, as detailed heretofore relative to FIG. 1A and hereinafter relative to FIG. 9. FIG. 1B pictures a single "frame" or "page" of a larger set of TRIPS output. Typical TRIPS travel plans often include related multiple screens, digital frames and/or pages or sheets of paper, for longer, more complicated, itineraries and/or to show more detail at the user's option. TRIPS travel plans can also be shorter and simpler than the FIG. 1B example.

FIG. 1B illustrates partial TRIPS output from a hypothetical TRIPS travel planning situation, posed above relative to FIG. 1A. More particularly, FIG. 1B shows a compact arrangement of TRIPS output, in