Travel passenger check-in

Abstract

This document describes a computer-implemented method for guiding a user through a travel check-in procedure. The method includes receiving passenger identification information associated with a passenger checking in for a travel segment, and determining a check-in status of the passenger using the passenger identification information. The method also includes generating a check-in workflow based on the check-in status of the passenger. The method further includes providing for display on a user interface a current step in the check-in workflow, the current step corresponding to a current action in the check-in workflow to be completed by a user, and upon request of the user to continue to a next step in the workflow, providing for display on the user interface the next step in the check-in workflow, the next step corresponding to a next action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented method of guiding a user through a travel check-in procedure, the method comprising:
 receiving, by one or more processors, passenger identification information associated with a passenger checking in for a travel segment and travel provider information identifying a travel provider associated with the travel segment;   receiving, by the one or more processors, a travel provider formatted check-in status associated with the passenger;   converting, by the one or more processors, the travel provider formatted check-in status to provide a check-in status of the passenger, the check-in status indicating one or more of whether the passenger has already selected a seat assignment and whether the passenger is checking or has already checked bags;   dynamically generating, by the one or more processors, a check-in workflow that is based on the check-in status of the passenger and on travel operational data using a set of rules that is specific to the identified travel provider;   providing for display, via an interface, current information corresponding to a current step in the check-in workflow, the current step corresponding to a current action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user;   upon receiving input from the user that affects a payment related to traveling on the travel segment, updating, by the one or more processors, the dynamically generated check-in workflow; and   upon request of the user to continue to a next step in the workflow, providing for display, via the interface, next information corresponding to the next step, the next step corresponding to a next action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow comprises determining one or more check-in steps to be completed by the user to check in the passenger. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow further comprises determining an order of the one or more check-in steps. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the payment is for the travel segment or an additional service to be provided relating to the travel segment. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the additional service comprises checking an oversized bag, upgrading a seat assignment of the passenger, providing an on-board meal, or providing an on-board movie. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow comprises querying a check-in workflow rules engine using the check-in status of the passenger. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing for display, via the interface, information corresponding to an indicator relating to at least one of whether a step in the check-in workflow is a required step, or whether a step in the check-in workflow has been completed. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising, upon request of the user to continue to a requested step in the check-in workflow that is not the next step, providing for display, via the interface, information corresponding to the requested step. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the operational data comprises one or more of a departure status of the travel segment and a line length at a check-in terminal at a time when the passenger is checking in. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow is further based on preferences of the passenger that is checking in. 
     
     
         31 . A passenger check-in system, comprising:
 one or more computers configured to guide a user through a travel check-in procedure, the one or more computers comprising:
 an interface configured to:
 receive passenger identification information associated with a passenger checking in for a travel segment, 
 receive travel provider information identifying a travel provider associated with the travel segment, and 
 receive a travel provider formatted check-in status associated with the passenger; 
 
 a converter configured to convert the travel provider formatted check-in status to provide a check-in status of the passenger, the check-in status indicating one or more of whether the passenger has already selected a seat assignment and whether the passenger is checking or has already checked bags; and 
 a check-in workflow engine configured to:
 dynamically generate a check-in workflow that is based on the check-in status of the passenger and on travel operational data using a set of rules that is specific to the identified travel provider, 
 update the dynamically generated check-in workflow upon receiving input from the user that affects a payment related to traveling on the travel segment, 
 provide for display, via the interface, current information corresponding to a current step in the check-in workflow, the current step corresponding to a current action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user, and 
 provide for display, via the interface, next information corresponding to a next step in the check-in workflow upon request of the user to continue to the next step, the next step corresponding to a next action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user. 
 
   
     
     
         32 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow comprises determining one or more check-in steps to be completed by the user to check in the passenger. 
     
     
         33 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 32 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow further comprises determining an order of the one or more check-in steps. 
     
     
         34 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein the payment is for the travel segment or an additional service to be provided relating to the travel segment. 
     
     
         35 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 34 , wherein the additional service comprises checking an oversized bag, upgrading a seat assignment of the passenger, providing an on-board meal, or providing an on-board movie. 
     
     
         36 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow comprises querying a check-in workflow rules engine using the check-in status of the passenger. 
     
     
         37 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein the display is further configured to display, via the interface, information corresponding to an indicator relating to at least one of whether a step in the check-in workflow is a required step, or whether a step in the check-in workflow has been completed. 
     
     
         38 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein the display is further configured to display, via the interface, information corresponding to a requested step that is not the next step in the check-in workflow upon request of the user to continue to the requested step. 
     
     
         39 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein the operational data comprises one or more of a departure status of the travel segment and a line length at a check-in terminal at a time when the passenger is checking in. 
     
     
         40 . The passenger check-in system of  claim 31 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow is further based on preferences of the passenger that is checking in. 
     
     
         41 . A computer program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage device, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed, perform operations for guiding a user through a travel check-in procedure, the operations comprising:
 receiving, by one or more processors, passenger identification information associated with a passenger checking in for a travel segment and travel provider information identifying a travel provider associated with the travel segment;   receiving, by the one or more processors, a travel provider formatted check-in status associated with the passenger;   converting, by the one or more processors, the travel provider formatted check-in status to provide a check-in status of the passenger, the check-in status indicating one or more of whether the passenger has already selected a seat assignment and whether the passenger is checking or has already checked bags;   dynamically generating, by the one or more processors, a check-in workflow that is based on the check-in status of the passenger and on travel operational data using a set of rules that is specific to the identified travel provider;   providing for display, via an interface, current information corresponding to a current step in the check-in workflow, the current step corresponding to a current action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user;   upon receiving input from the user that affects a payment related to traveling on the travel segment, updating, by the one or more processors, the dynamically generated check-in workflow; and   upon request of the user to continue to a next step in the workflow, providing for display, via the interface, next information corresponding to the next step, the next step corresponding to a next action in the check-in workflow to be completed by the user.   
     
     
         42 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow comprises determining one or more check-in steps to be completed by the user to check in the passenger. 
     
     
         43 . The computer program product of  claim 42 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow further comprises determining an order of the one or more check-in steps. 
     
     
         44 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the payment is for the travel segment or an additional service to be provided relating to the travel segment. 
     
     
         45 . The computer program product of  claim 44 , wherein the additional service comprises checking an oversized bag, upgrading a seat assignment of the passenger, providing an on-board meal, or providing an on-board movie. 
     
     
         46 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow comprises querying a check-in workflow rules engine using the check-in status of the passenger. 
     
     
         47 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , further comprising providing for display, via the interface, information corresponding to an indicator relating to at least one of whether a step in the check-in workflow is a required step, or whether a step in the check-in workflow has been completed. 
     
     
         48 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , further comprising, upon request of the user to continue to a requested step in the check-in workflow that is not the next step, providing for display, via the interface, information corresponding to the requested step. 
     
     
         49 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the operational data comprises one or more of a departure status of the travel segment and a line length at a check-in terminal at a time when the passenger is checking in. 
     
     
         50 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein dynamically generating the check-in workflow is further based on preferences of the passenger that is checking in.