Graphical travel system for the internet

• US 7,263,494 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORGAN, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US09/514,053
• Time in Patent Office: 2,741 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5, 701/201, 345/156, 345/146, 345/763, 345/715, 709/224, 235/384
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events

Abstract

A graphical user interface for a travel system allows the beginning and end points to be selected, and then displays a line indicating the travel, and calculates fares.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a server computer having travel information;

a client computer, having a cursor moving element, and an actuator that is actuated to select a current position of said cursor moving element, said client computer connected to said server computer over a network, and running a server interfacing program, which exchanges information with said server, said server interfacing program operating to produce a graphical user interface that allows entry of a desired starting area for travel, and a desired ending area for said travel, said graphical user interface displaying a map of an area within which the travel will occur, and allowing said starting area for said travel to be selected within said area by using said cursor moving element to place a cursor of the graphical user interface over said starting area, and actuating said actuator to select said starting area, and allowing said ending area for said travel to be selected by using said cursor moving element to place the cursor of the graphical user interface over said ending area, and actuating the actuator to indicate said end area, said server interfacing program receiving said starting area, and said ending area, sending first travel information about both said starting area and said ending area to said server, and receiving travel information from said server indicative of travel options between the selected starting area and ending area,

wherein said server interfacing program further allows at least one of said starting area or said ending area to be changed in size to form a changed in size area, by using said cursor moving element to change a size of said at least one, and wherein said first travel information includes information about said changed in size area, and said travel information received from said server includes options for different locations within said changed in size area.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said server computer produces an image of a line extending between said starting point and said ending point, overlaid on said map.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein said line includes an indication of a stopping point between said beginning point and said ending point.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said starting area and ending area include information about airports within said areas, and said changing size is operative to add or subtract airports within said areas.

5. A system comprising:

a server computer having travel information;

a client computer, having a cursor moving element, and an actuator that is actuated to select a current position of said cursor moving element, said client computer connected to said server computer over a network, and running a server interfacing program, which exchanges information with said server, said server interfacing program operating to produce a graphical user interface that includes a hyperlinked image, that allows entry of a desired starting area for travel, and a desired ending area for said travel by selecting a link on the hyperlinked image, said graphical user interface displaying a map of an area within which the travel will occur, and allowing said starting area for said travel to be selected within said area by using said cursor moving element to place a cursor of the graphical user interface over said starting area selecting a first link on the hyperlinked image, and actuating said actuator to select said starting area, and allowing said ending area for said travel to be selected by using said cursor moving element to place the cursor of the graphical user interface over said ending area, and actuating the actuator to indicate said ending area by selecting a second link on said hyperlinked image, said server interfacing program receiving said starting area, and said ending area, sending first travel information about both said starting area and said ending area to said server, and receiving travel information from said server indicative of travel options between the selected starting area and ending area;

wherein said client computer displays information about a selected trip from said starting area to said ending area, including information about how much the trip deviates compared with an optimum route from said starting area to said ending area.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein said amount of deviation includes information about travel times of different routes.

7. A system as in claim 5, further comprising a memory storing a travel itinerary on the server computer, and a biometric information entry device at the client computer, which allows entering biometric information that is used to access a stored travel itinerary from the client computer.

8. A system, comprising:

a server computer, storing travel information;

a client computer, having a processor that is programmed to display a graphical user interface, displaying a hyperlinked image including hyperlinks for a plurality of airports which airports can form begin and end points of a trip, said hyperlinked image being based on information from said server computer, and said client computer including a movable element which is movable over said hyperlinked image, and said movable element is actuated to select an area of said hyperlinked image including at least one airport, and said movable element being variable to change a number of said airports which are included within said area, and said movable element permitting selection of said area as said begin and/or end point of the trip.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said processor is programmed to display a screen tip based on information from said server computer, said screen tip including additional information, which is additional to the information included on said hyperlinked image, about at least one of said plurality of airports.

10. A system as in claim 8, wherein said processor is operative to determine a matrix of flights between all airports within an area for said begin point and all airports within an area for said end point, where there is more than one airport within at least one of the beginning or end points.

11. A system as in claim 8, wherein said processor is operative to determine an optimal flying route between said begin point and said end point, and display an actual selected flying route relative to said optimal flying route.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein said processor is further operative to determine a deviation between the optimal flying route and said selected flying route.

13. A system as in claim 8, further comprising a biometric information reader associated with said client computer, wherein said processor controls said client computer controls obtaining said biometric information, and said server computer stores travel information about individuals that is associated with biometric information about the individuals, and returns said travel information to said client computer based on biometric information sent from said client computer.

14. A system as in claim 8, further comprising allowing a user to make a binding offer, including payment information, for any of plural airline routes between any of said begin points, and any of said end points, where there are more than one airport within at least one of the beginning points or end points.