Systems and methods for travel planning that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit

Abstract

Computationally implemented methods and systems that are designed for receiving a request for transporting one or more end users towards a destination location; providing a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the travel plan identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg; and directing the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

1 - 161 . (canceled) 
     
     
         162 . A system, comprising:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg; and   a transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg.   
     
     
         163 . (canceled) 
     
     
         164 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from the starting location, the travel plan identifying a planned travel route for traveling at least partway between the starting location and the destination location.   
     
     
         165 . The system of  claim 164 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from the starting location, the travel plan identifying a planned travel route for traveling at least partway between the starting location and the destination location comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan that identifies the planned travel route, the travel plan further identifying one or more preferred intermediate arrival times that are respectfully associated with each of one or more intermediate locations along the planned travel route, the travel plan designed to facilitate the one or more end users to reach the destination location at proximately a preferred arrival time if the one or more end users arrive at the one or more intermediate locations at proximately the one or more preferred intermediate arrival times.   
     
     
         166 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from the starting location, the travel plan identifying one or more ferries and/or one or more mass transit vehicles for traveling along at least a portion of a route leg.   
     
     
         167 . (canceled) 
     
     
         168 . (canceled) 
     
     
         169 . (canceled) 
     
     
         170 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end user over the transport route leg, the travel plan further identifying a rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg.   
     
     
         171 . The system of  claim 170 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end user over the transport route leg, the travel plan further identifying a rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan that identifies a rendezvous location for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg, the rendezvous location being the same as or proximate to the starting location.   
     
     
         172 . The system of  claim 170 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end user over the transport route leg, the travel plan further identifying a rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan that identifies a rendezvous location for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg, the rendezvous location being an intermediate location located between the starting location and the destination location.   
     
     
         173 . The system of  claim 172 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan that identifies a rendezvous location for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg, the rendezvous location being an intermediate location located between the starting location and the destination location comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan that identifies the rendezvous location that is an intermediate location located between the starting location and the destination location and a rendezvous time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit at the rendezvous location in order for the one or more end users to be transported over the transport route leg, the rendezvous time being a planned point or range in time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit at the rendezvous location.   
     
     
         174 . (canceled) 
     
     
         175 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce the travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end user over the transport route leg, the travel plan identifying one or more modes of transportation for each of the at least two route legs.   
     
     
         176 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg and a first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg, the at least one transport route leg being a second route leg.   
     
     
         177 . The system of  claim 176 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg and a first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg, the at least one transport route leg being a second route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg and a second route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the second route leg, the first route leg calling for the one or more end users to travel over the first route leg by walking, by bicycling, by mass transit, and/or by ferry.   
     
     
         178 . The system of  claim 176 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg and a first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg, the at least one transport route leg being a second route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg and a second route leg that calls for the at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end user over the second route leg, the first route leg preceding the second route leg along an overall travel route for traveling from the starting location to the destination location.   
     
     
         179 . The system of  claim 176 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg and a first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg, the at least one transport route leg being a second route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the first route leg that does not call for any transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over any portion of the first route leg and a second route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the second route leg, the first route leg immediately following the second route leg along an overall travel route for traveling from the starting location to the destination location.   
     
     
         180 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan identifying at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end user over the transport route leg and a first route leg that calls for another transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the first route leg, the at least one transport route leg being a second route leg.   
     
     
         181 . (canceled) 
     
     
         182 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan creating module configured to create the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the developed travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg.   
     
     
         183 . (canceled) 
     
     
         184 . (canceled) 
     
     
         185 . The system of  claim 182 , wherein said travel plan creating module configured to create the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the developed travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel cost minimizing travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that minimizes total travel costs to be incurred in order for the one or more end users to reach the destination location from the starting location.   
     
     
         186 . (canceled) 
     
     
         187 . The system of  claim 182 , wherein said travel plan creating module configured to create the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the developed travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a mass transit/ferry preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more mass transit or ferry preferences of at least one of the one or more end users.   
     
     
         188 . The system of  claim 182 , wherein said travel plan creating module configured to create the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the developed travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg, comprises:
 a walking/bicycling preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more walking or bicycling preferences of at least one of the one or more end users.   
     
     
         189 . The system of  claim 182 , wherein said travel plan creating module configured to create the travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the developed travel plan identifying the at least two route legs including the at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users.   
     
     
         190 . The system of  claim 189 , wherein said geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users comprises:
 a geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users that relate to one or more geographic locations or areas that the at least one of the one or more end users prefers to be routed through.   
     
     
         191 . The system of  claim 189 , wherein said geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users comprises:
 a geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users that relate to one or more geographic locations or areas that the at least one of the one or more end users prefers not to be routed through.   
     
     
         192 . The system of  claim 189 , wherein said geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users comprises:
 a geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users that relate to one or more geographic locations or areas that the at least one of the one or more end users prefers to be used for rendezvousing with a transportation vehicle unit.   
     
     
         193 . The system of  claim 189 , wherein said geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users comprises:
 a geographic preference compliant travel plan creating module configured to create a travel plan that complies with one or more geographic preferences of at least one of the one or more end users that relate to one or more geographic locations or areas that the at least one of the one or more end users prefers not to be used for rendezvousing with a transportation vehicle unit.   
     
     
         194 .- 198 . (canceled) 
     
     
         199 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a travel plan transmitting module configured to transmit at least one or more portions of the travel plan.   
     
     
         200 .- 204 . (canceled) 
     
     
         205 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a modified travel plan transmitting module configured to transmit to an end user device associated with at least one of the one or more end users a modified version of the travel plan in response to detecting that the transportation vehicle unit will not be able to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg as called for by the travel plan.   
     
     
         206 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a modified travel plan transmitting module configured to transmit to an end user device associated with at least one of the one or more end users a modified version of the travel plan in response to detecting that the one or more end users will not be able to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order to be transported over the transport route leg as called for by the travel plan.   
     
     
         207 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 an alternative option transmitting module configured to transmit to an end user device associated with at least one of the one or more end users one or more alternative options for traveling over the transport route leg other than being transported over the transport route leg by the at least one transportation vehicle unit when the transportation vehicle unit is detected as not being able to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg as called for by the travel plan or when the one or more end users are detected as not being able to rendezvous with the transportation vehicle unit in order to be transported over the transport route leg as called for by the travel plan.   
     
     
         208 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 an instruction transmitting module configured to transmit one or more instructions that instructs the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location.   
     
     
         209 . The system of  claim 208 , wherein said instruction transmitting module configured to transmit one or more instructions that instructs the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location comprises:
 an instruction transmitting module configured to transmit one or more instructions that instructs the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location and at a rendezvous time.   
     
     
         210 . (canceled) 
     
     
         211 . The system of  claim 208 , wherein said instruction transmitting module configured to transmit one or more instructions that instructs the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location comprises:
 an instruction transmitting module including a transportation information transmitting module configured to transmit the one or more instructions that instructs the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location including transmitting, by transportation information transmitting module, information that identifies at least mode of transportation used by the one or more end users in order to reach the rendezvous location.   
     
     
         212 . (canceled) 
     
     
         213 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a request transmitting module configured to transmit to request for the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location; and   a confirmation receiving module configured to receive a confirmation that the at least one transportation vehicle unit will rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location.   
     
     
         214 . (canceled) 
     
     
         215 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to the end user detecting module detecting that the one or more end users are within a predefined distance from the rendezvous location.   
     
     
         216 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to the end user detecting module estimating that the one or more end users will reach the rendezvous location within a predefined amount of time.   
     
     
         217 . The system of  claim 216 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to the end user detecting module estimating that the one or more end users will reach the rendezvous location within a predefined amount of time comprises:
 a transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module and a transportation vehicle unit detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to the end user detecting module estimating that the one or more end users will reach the rendezvous location within a predefined amount of time and in response, at least in part, on detected by the transportation vehicle unit detecting module current location of the at least one transportation vehicle unit relative to the rendezvous location.   
     
     
         218 . The system of  claim 162 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:
 a transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to detecting by the end user detecting module that at least one of the one or more end users has reached a particular location.   
     
     
         219 . The system of  claim 218 , wherein said transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to detecting by the end user detecting module that at least one of the one or more end users has reached a particular location comprises:
 a transportation vehicle unit guiding module including an end user detecting module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at the rendezvous location in response, at least in part, to detecting by the end user detecting module that the at least one of the one or more end users has reached a particular location along a planned travel route as provided by the travel plan.   
     
     
         220 . (canceled) 
     
     
         221 . The system of  claim 162 , further comprising:
 a request receiving module configured to receive a request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location, the production of the travel plan by the travel plan producing module being in response, at least in part, to the reception of the request.   
     
     
         222 . (canceled) 
     
     
         223 . (canceled) 
     
     
         224 . The system of  claim 221 , wherein said request receiving module configured to receive a request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location, the production of the travel plan by the travel plan producing module being in response, at least in part, to the reception of the request comprises:
 a request receiving module configured to receive a request that identifies the destination location.   
     
     
         225 . The system of  claim 224 , wherein said request receiving module configured to receive a request that identifies the destination location comprises:
 a request receiving module configured to receive the request that identifies the destination location by receiving a request that identifies a preferred arrival time at the destination location.   
     
     
         226 .- 241 . (canceled) 
     
     
         242 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
 a non-transitory storage medium bearing:   one or more instructions for producing a travel plan for facilitating one or more end users to travel to a destination location from a starting location, the travel plan to be produced identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg; and   one or more instructions for guiding the at least one transportation vehicle unit to a rendezvous location to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg.   
     
     
         243 . A server system comprises:
 a request receiving module configured to receive a request for transporting one or more end users towards a destination location;   a travel plan producing module configured to produce a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the travel plan identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;   a transportation vehicle unit guiding module configured to guide the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg; and   a network interface.