System and method for itinerary planning

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for itinerary planning. The method commences with processing of network segments stored in a database to generate builds in response to receiving an itinerary planning request. At least one of the builds having a cost that is lowest is selected. The cost is determined as a function of at least two factors. The at least one build is outputted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for itinerary planning, comprising:
 processing network segments stored in a database to generate builds in response to receiving an itinerary planning request;   selecting at least one of said builds having a cost that is lowest, said cost being determined as a function of at least two factors; and   outputting said at least one build.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said factors include time. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said factors include different modes of travel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein factors include the number of transfers between vehicles. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 discarding at least one of said builds in accordance with a parameter.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said parameter indicates a maximum distance to be walked. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cost includes a product of a parameter and the time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said cost is increased for each transfer between vehicles. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said cost includes a product of a parameter and the number of transfers between vehicles. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein increases in said factors correspond to disproportionate increases in said cost. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying said function of said factors; and   repeating said processing and said selecting.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said modifying comprises:
 adjusting parameters in said function.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 merging said at least one build selected before said repeating with said at least one build selected during said repeating.   
     
     
         14 . A system for itinerary planning, comprising:
 a database of network segments;   a processor executing computer-executable instructions for processing said network segments to generate builds in response to receiving an itinerary planning request, selecting at least one of said build having a cost that is lowest, said cost being determined as a function of at least two factors, and outputting said at least one build having a lowest cost.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said factors include time. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said factors include different modes of travel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein factors include the number of transfers between vehicles. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said processor executing said computer-executable instructions discards at least one of said builds in accordance with a parameter. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor executing said computer-executable instructions modifies said function of said factors, and repeats said processing and said selecting. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said processor executing said computer-executable instructions adjusts parameters in said function. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said processor executing said computer-executable instructions merges said at least one build selected before said repeating with said at least one build selected during said repeating. 
     
     
         22 . A method for itinerary planning, comprising:
 generating builds in response to receiving an itinerary planning request;   discarding some of said builds having a cost that is higher than other of said builds, said cost being determined as a function of at least two factors; and   outputting said at least one build.