Graphical user interface based airline travel planning

Abstract

Graphical user interface (GUI) based methods and systems to generate and revise travel itineraries, including to permit a user to input or select multiple sequential travel destinations and corresponding dates in a calendar based GUI, to generate a travel itinerary using default itinerary parameters, to display the travel itinerary and user configurable itinerary parameter within the GUI, and to revise the travel itinerary in response to user configured itinerary parameters. An itinerary parameter may be configurable to apply to a selected portion of the itinerary or to the entire itinerary. User selectable options may be displayed in a natural language format. User input may be performed with relatively few actions, and may be performed exclusively or nearly exclusively with a pointing device.

1 . A computer program product including a computer readable medium having computer program logic stored therein, the computer program product logic comprising:
 calendar logic to cause a computer system to display a calendar, to display user selectable destinations in response to user input associated with dates of the calendar, and to display indications of a plurality of user selected destinations proximate to corresponding user selected dates of the calendar;   itinerary logic to cause the computer system to initiate a query to one or more airline information sources and to construct and display a travel itinerary from results of the querying in accordance with the plurality of user selected destinations and dates and in accordance with default itinerary parameters; and   configuration logic to cause the computer system to display user configurable itinerary parameters in response to user input associated with corresponding information fields of the itinerary, including a parameter that is configurable for a user-selected portion of the itinerary, and to invoke the itinerary logic to generate a revised itinerary in response to a user configured itinerary parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the configuration logic includes logic to apply a user configurable itinerary parameter to a single destination or to all destinations of the itinerary in response to user input. 
     
     
         3 . The computer program product of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration logic includes logic to configure an itinerary parameter in response to user input received solely from a pointer device. 
     
     
         4 . The computer program product of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to apply a user selected maximum number of permissible flights to a single destination or to all of the destinations of the itinerary in response to the user input.   
     
     
         5 . The computer program product of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to exclude flights associated with a user specified airline carrier or to exclude flights associated with airline carriers other than the user specified airline carrier, and to apply the exclusion to a single destination or to all destinations of the itinerary in response to the user input.   
     
     
         6 . The computer program product of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to exclude flights that do not provide a user specified service and to apply the exclusion to a single destination or to all destinations of the itinerary in response to user input.   
     
     
         7 . The computer program product of  claim 2 , wherein the configuration logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to exclude flights that do not permit passenger seat assignment selection, and to apply the exclusion to a single destination or to all destinations of the itinerary in response to user input.   
     
     
         8 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the configuration logic includes:
 natural language logic to cause the computer system to display a user configurable itinerary parameter in a natural language format and to convert a corresponding user configured itinerary parameter from the natural language format to a query format.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the natural language logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to display user selectable natural language arrival time options including one or more of arrive earlier, arrive later, arrive a period of time earlier, arrive a period of time later, and arrive within a window of time centered around the displayed flight time.   
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the natural language logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to display user selectable natural language departure time options including one or more of morning, evening, preceding evening, overnight, and midday.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , further including
 logic to cause the computer system to store a correlation of user configured itinerary parameters and corresponding itinerary changes.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to receive fare information corresponding to flights in the itinerary in response to the querying;   logic to cause the computer system to display the fare information proximate to the itinerary;   logic to cause the computer system to update the displayed fare information in accordance with the revised itinerary; and   logic to cause the computer system to store a correlation of user configured itinerary parameters, corresponding itinerary changes, and corresponding changes to the fare information.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the itinerary flights are marketed as a package at a package price, the computer program logic further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to apportion the package price amongst the plurality of flights in proportion to relative values of the corresponding plurality of flights;   logic to cause the computer system to display the apportioned prices proximate to the itinerary;   logic to cause the computer system to update the displayed apportioned prices in accordance with the revised itinerary; and   logic to cause the computer system to store a correlation of user configured itinerary parameters, corresponding itinerary changes, and corresponding changes to the apportioned prices.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to retrieve a market price associated with each of the plurality of flights when priced individually; and   logic to cause the computer system to apportion the package price amongst the plurality of flights in proportion to the corresponding market prices.   
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to retrieve a travel distance associated with each of the plurality of flights when priced individually; and   logic to cause the computer system to apportion the package price amongst the plurality of flights in proportion to the corresponding travel distances.   
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to display indications of the user selected destinations within the corresponding dates of the calendar; and   logic to cause the computer system to receive user input corresponding to a drag and drop operation that moves the indications of the destinations from a first set of dates to a second set of dates, and to invoke the itinerary logic to generate the revised itinerary in accordance with the second set of dates.   
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to display icons corresponding to flights of the itinerary proximate to the corresponding calendar dates at positions indicative of corresponding flight times.   
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the calendar logic includes logic to cause the computer system to display the user selectable destinations and the user selected destinations in response to corresponding pointer activity; and   the configuration logic includes logic to cause the computer system to display the user configurable itinerary parameters in response to pointer activity associated with the corresponding information fields of the itinerary, and to configure at least a portion of the user configurable itinerary parameters in response to pointer activity.   
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the calendar logic includes logic to cause the computer system to display the user selectable destinations proximate to the calendar;   the itinerary logic includes logic to cause the computer system display the travel itinerary proximate to the calendar; and   the configuration logic includes logic to cause the computer system to display the user configurable itinerary parameters proximate to the calendar.   
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary includes at least one flight marketed as a one way flight. 
     
     
         21 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary includes flights associated multiple airline carriers. 
     
     
         22 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary logic is configured to preserve flights in the itinerary that are unaffected by the user configured itinerary parameter. 
     
     
         23 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the default itinerary parameters include a default latest arrival time and a default earliest departure time. 
     
     
         24 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the default itinerary parameters are user configurable. 
     
     
         25 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary logic includes logic to cause the computer system to generate the itinerary to include a single solution of flights that satisfies the plurality of user selected destinations, the user selected dates, and itinerary parameters. 
     
     
         26 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary logic includes logic to cause the computer system to display departure and arrival times within time slots of the calendar that correspond to times zones of corresponding departure and arrival locations. 
     
     
         27 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the calendar logic includes logic to cause the computer system to display the calendar with multiple time-slots per date, to display the user selectable destinations with respect to the time-slots, and to display indications of a plurality of user selected destinations proximate to corresponding user-selected time-slots; and   the itinerary logic includes logic to cause the computer system to allot one or more of an arrival window and a departure window to the user-selected destinations.   
     
     
         28 . The computer program product of  claim 27 , wherein the calendar logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to display the calendar with a plurality of time zones simultaneously, wherein the time zones correspond to one or more of departure arrival locations.   
     
     
         29 . The computer program product of  claim 27 , wherein the calendar logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to display one or more of days and other units of time of the calendar with variable sizes relative determined by the traveler's progression through time zones in the represented travel.   
     
     
         30 . The computer program product of  claim 29 , wherein the calendar logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to add, duplicate and omit hours of the calendar as determined by the traveler's progression through time zones in the represented travel.   
     
     
         31 . The computer program product of  claim 29 , wherein the calendar logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to add, duplicate and omit days of the calendar as determined by the traveler's progression through time zones in the represented travel.   
     
     
         32 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary logic includes:
 buffer logic to provide buffer times around one or more of scheduled travel and planned events.   
     
     
         33 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the buffer logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to set the buffer times to accommodate one or more of ancillary activities and delays.   
     
     
         34 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the buffer logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to set the buffer times to accommodate one or more of emplaning, deplaning, checking in, purchasing travel tickets, making travel arrangements, traveling to one or more of an event and an airport, meals, packing, and rest.   
     
     
         35 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the calendar logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to depict the buffer times on the calendar proximate to the event or travel.   
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the itinerary logic further includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to respect the buffer times to preclude scheduling of travel during the buffer times.   
     
     
         37 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the itinerary logic further includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to set the buffer times based on one or more of airport, location, times, event type, event type, and user preference.   
     
     
         38 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the itinerary logic further includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to set the buffer times in response to user input.   
     
     
         39 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , wherein the itinerary logic includes:
 lodging logic to cause the computer system to identify locations and nights that a traveler is scheduled to be on-ground, based on a meeting schedule and corresponding travel itinerary.   
     
     
         40 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the lodging logic includes:
 logic to cause the computer system to initiate a query to one or more lodging sources to identify available lodging based on the identified locations and nights that the traveler is scheduled to be on-ground.   
     
     
         41 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to exchange data with one or more other computer based calendaring and/or scheduling systems using one or more of a standardized data exchange format and a proprietary data exchange format.   
     
     
         42 . The computer program product of  claim 1 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to display one or more of a decision process and user interaction history.   
     
     
         43 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , wherein one or more of the decision process and the user interaction history includes a plurality of scenarios not necessarily derived from each other. 
     
     
         44 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to display one or more of the decision process and the user interaction history includes graphically as a tree of decisions and interactions.   
     
     
         45 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , wherein one or more of the decision process and the user interaction history is interactive and allows for navigation arbitrarily to different points or branches in the decision process. 
     
     
         46 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , wherein one or more of the decision process and the user interaction history includes one or more of prices and summaries of candidate solutions. 
     
     
         47 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , wherein one or more of the decision process and the user interaction history includes a summary of changes or actions made to derive a new state. 
     
     
         48 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , further including one or more of logic to record and logic to export one or more of the decision process and the user interaction history to allow for audits of the purchase process and/or compliance with policies. 
     
     
         49 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , further including:
 logic to cause the computer system to permit a user to enter one or more of non-travel commitments and preferences; and   logic to cause the computer system to infer parameters governing travel.   
     
     
         50 . The computer program product of claim, wherein an initial state is determined by one or more of a previous user interaction and previously purchased travel. 
     
     
         51 . A method, comprising:
 displaying a calendar on a computer display;   displaying user selectable destinations proximate in response to user input associated with dates of the calendar;   displaying indications of a plurality of user selected destinations proximate to corresponding user selected dates of the calendar;   initiating a query to one or more airline information sources and constructing a travel itinerary from results of the querying in accordance with the plurality of user selected destinations and sates and in accordance with default itinerary parameters;   displaying the travel itinerary;   displaying user configurable itinerary parameters in response to user input associated with corresponding flight information fields of the itinerary, including a parameter that is configurable for a user-selected portion of the itinerary; and   generating a revised itinerary in response to a user configured itinerary parameter;   wherein all of the above features are performed within one or more suitably programmed computer systems.   
     
     
         52 . A system, comprising:
 calendar means for displaying a calendar, for displaying user selectable destinations in response to user input associated with dates of the calendar, and for displaying indications of a plurality of user selected destinations proximate to corresponding user selected dates of the calendar;   itinerary means for initiating a query to one or more airline information sources and for constructing and displaying a travel itinerary from results of the querying in accordance with the plurality of user selected destinations and dates and in accordance with default itinerary parameters; and   configuration means for displaying user configurable itinerary parameters in response to user input associated with corresponding information fields of the itinerary, including a parameter that is configurable for a user-selected portion of the itinerary, and for invoking the itinerary means to generate a revised itinerary in response to a user configured itinerary parameter.   
     
     
         53 . A system, comprising:
 a calendar system to display a calendar, to display user selectable destinations in response to user input associated with dates of the calendar, and to display indications of a plurality of user selected destinations proximate to corresponding user selected dates of the calendar;   an itinerary system to initiate a query to one or more airline information sources and to construct and display a travel itinerary from results of the querying in accordance with the plurality of user selected destinations and dates and in accordance with default itinerary parameters; and   a configuration system to display user configurable itinerary parameters in response to user input associated with corresponding information fields of the itinerary, including a parameter that is configurable for a user-selected portion of the itinerary, and to invoke the itinerary module to generate a revised itinerary in response to a user configured itinerary parameter.