Travel update messaging system and method

• US 20040019606A1
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orbitz LLC (Expedia Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Orbitz LLC (Expedia Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ackerman, Scott, Caparas, Rolando
• Granted Patent: US 7,376,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for gathering and analyzing data related to travel conditions and generating and sending a message explaining the travel conditions to one or more travelers. The present invention includes a travel conditions analyzer which accesses data and information from several different databases such as weather condition websites and travel websites. The data and information from the databases is analyzed and predictions on travel delays are made based on the data and information. A messaging tool determines a group of travelers that are affected by the adverse travel conditions. Then the messaging tool generates a message based on the travel conditions and sends the message to one or more affected travelers. The affected travelers can therefore change their travel plans or make other arrangements as needed based on the information contained in the message. Thus, the present invention significantly minimizes the inconveniences caused to travelers due to adverse travel conditions.

Claims

1. A system for generating a message regarding a traveler'"'"'s travel arrangements and communicating the message to the traveler, the system comprising:

a first data-gathering tool for gathering data from which travel conditions may be predicted;

means for analyzing the data and making a prediction regarding the travel conditions; and

a messaging tool adapted to determine a group of travelers whose travel arrangements will be affected by the prediction and send a message to the travelers in the group.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes at least one data source.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes an air traffic information website.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes a weather website which provides data on current and future weather conditions.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes airline websites.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the message includes at least one electronic mail message.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the message includes at least one recorded voice mail message.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the message includes at least one facsimile transmission.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the messaging tool includes software.

10. A system for generating a message regarding an airline passenger'"'"'s travel arrangements and communicating the message to the passenger, the system comprising:

a first data-gathering tool for gathering data from which flight delays may be predicted;

a data analyzer means for analyzing the data and making a prediction regarding the flight delays; and

a messaging tool adapted to determine a group of passengers whose flights will be affected by the prediction and send a message to the passengers in the group.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes at least one data source.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes airline websites.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes weather websites.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first data-gathering tool includes an air traffic data website.

15. A method of providing travel updates to travelers, said method comprising the steps of:

gathering data regarding travel conditions;

making a prediction regarding travel conditions based on the data;

providing a messaging tool for identifying at least one traveler who will be affected by the predicted travel conditions and for sending a message to at least one traveler;

generating a message explaining the predicted travel conditions; and

sending the message to the identified traveler via said messaging tool.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of gathering data regarding travel conditions includes gathering data from at least one data source.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of gathering data regarding travel conditions includes analyzing weather conditions.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of gathering data regarding travel conditions includes analyzing airline operational data which includes flight arrival and departure data.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of gathering data regarding travel conditions includes analyzing air traffic data.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of generating the message explaining the predicted travel conditions is performed manually.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of generating the message explaining the predicted travel conditions is automated.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sending the message to the identified passenger includes sending an electronic mail message.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sending the message to the identified passenger includes sending a voice mail message.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sending the message to the identified passenger includes sending a telephone message.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sending the message to the identified passenger includes sending a facsimile.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of sending the message to the identified passenger includes sending a digital message to a message receiver.

27. A method of providing flight updates to airline passengers, said method comprising the steps of:

gathering data regarding flight conditions;

making a prediction regarding flight delays based on the data;

providing a messaging tool for identifying at least one airline passenger who will be affected by the predicted flight delays and sending a message to said at least one airline passenger;

generating a message explaining the flight delays; and

sending the message to the identified passenger or passengers via said messaging tool.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of gathering data regarding flight conditions includes gathering data from at least one data source.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of gathering data regarding flight conditions includes analyzing weather conditions.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of gathering data regarding flight conditions includes analyzing airline operational data which includes flight arrival and departure data.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of gathering data regarding flight conditions includes analyzing air traffic data.

32. A method for providing flight updates to airline passengers, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a message from an airline regarding the status of a flight;

providing a messaging tool for determining a group of one or more passengers that purchased tickets for the flight and sending a message to said group of one or more passengers;

sending the message to the passengers in the group; and

sending a flight update message to the identified passenger or passengers via said messaging tool.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of receiving air traffic control data includes receiving air traffic control data for a specific region.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of receiving air traffic control data includes receiving air traffic control data for a specific airport.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of receiving air traffic control data includes receiving air traffic control data for a specific flight.

36. The method of claim 32, which includes the step of generating and attaching a text message to the message.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of generating and attaching the text message includes generating and attaching information regarding restaurants, hotels and car rental data.

38. A system for communicating a message to an airline passenger, the system comprising:

the message receiver, which receives a message generated by at least one airline; and

a messaging tool adapted to determine a group of flight passengers whose flight arrangements will be affected by the message.

39. The system of claim 38, which includes a message generator which creates a text message and sends that text message with the message to the passengers.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the text message includes information regarding restaurant, hotel and car rental data.