Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing alternative trips for a computer-implemented trip search

• US 8,996,312 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2012
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Freund, Martin, Filev, Momchil
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C.
• Application Number:
  US13/534,916
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 701/533, 701/117, 455/457
• US Class Current: 701/533
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3423 Multimodal routing, i.e. combining two or more modes of transportation, where the modes can be any of, e.g. driving, walking, cycling, public transport
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem

Abstract

Provided are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for providing alternative trips for a computer-implemented trip search. User may submit a trip request associated with a primary transportation mode between an origin and a destination, such as by submitting a request for directions via an interactive map. The trip price for the primary trip may be determined. Additionally, alternative trip prices for alternative transportation modes may be determined and compared to the primary trip price. If an alternative trip price is lower than the primary trip price, an alternative trip notification may be provided to user with information about the alternative trip, such as a link to further details about the alternative trip.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing alternative trips for a computer-implemented trip search, the computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, a trip request from a client computer, the trip request comprising a request for directions from an origin to a destination via a primary transportation mode;

determining, by one or more processors, in response to the trip request directions between the origin and the destination;

determining, by one or more processors, a primary trip price associated with the trip request based at least in part on the directions between the origin and destination;

determining, by one or more processors, an alternative transportation mode between the origin and the destination, the alternative transportation mode different than the primary transportation mode;

determining for the alternative transportation mode, by one or more processors, an alternative trip price;

providing over a network, by one or more processors, to the client computer the directions between the origin and the destination; and

providing over a network, by one or more processors, to the client computer an alternative trip notification having information associated with the alternative transportation mode if the alternative trip price is less than the primary trip price.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein primary transportation mode comprises at least one of:

driving, flying, taking a train or public transportation.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the alternative transportation mode comprises at least one of:

driving, flying, taking a train or public transportation.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises at least one of;

descriptive text for the alternative trip, a link to details for the alternative trip, or the alternative trip price.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the primary transportation mode is driving and determining, by one or more processors, a primary trip price associated with the request comprises determining a cost of fuel consumption for a vehicle associated with the user.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the primary transportation mode is driving and determining, by one or more processors, a primary trip price associated with the request comprises:

determining the duration of the primary trip is greater than a predetermined duration; and

determining a cost of lodging for the primary trip.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining for the alternative transportations mode, by one or more processors, the alternative trip price comprises obtaining the alternative trip price from a pricing engine associated with the alternative transportation mode.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the request from the client computer is received from an interactive map provided on the client computer.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the alternative trip notification is provided as a visible notification box in the interactive map.

10. A non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium having executable computer code stored thereon for providing alternative trips for a computer-implemented trip search, the code comprising a set of instructions that causes one or more processors to perform the following:

receiving, by one or more processors, a trip request from a client computer, the trip request comprising a request for directions from an origin to a destination via a primary transportation mode,

determining, by one or more processors, in response to the trip request directions between the origin and the destination;

determining, by one or more processors, a primary trip price associated with the trip request based at least in part on the directions between the origin and destination;

determining, by one or more processors, an alternative transportation mode between the origin and the destination, the alternative transportation mode different than the primary transportation mode;

determining for the alternative transportation mode, by one or more processors, an alternative trip price;

providing over a network, by one or more processors, to the client computer directions between the origin and the destination; and

providing over a network, by one or more processors, to the client computer an alternative trip notification having information associated with the alternative transportation mode if the alternative trip price is less than the primary trip price.

11. The non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein primary transportation mode comprises at least one of:

driving, flying, taking a train, or public transportation.

12. The non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the alternative transportation mode comprises at least one of:

driving, flying, taking a train, or public transportation.

13. The non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the information comprises at least one of:

descriptive text for the alternative trip, a link to details for the alternative trip, or the alternative trip price.

14. The non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein determining for the alternative transportations mode, by one or more processors, the alternative trip price comprises obtaining the alternative trip price from a pricing engine associated with the alternative transportation mode.

15. A system for providing alternative trips for a computer-implemented trip search, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a tangible non-transitory memory accessible by the one or more processors, the memory having computer code stored thereon, the code comprising a set of instructions that causes one or more processors to perform the following;

receiving, by one or more processors, a trip request from a client computer, the trip request comprising a request for directions from an origin to a destination via a primary transportation mode,

determining, by one or more processors, in response to the trip request directions between the origin and the destination;

determining, by one or more processors, a primary trip price associated with the trip request based at least in part on the directions between the origin and destination;

determining, by one or more processors, an alternative transportation mode between the origin and the destination, the alternative transportation mode different than the primary transportation mode;

determining for the alternative transportation mode, by one or more processors, an alternative trip price;

providing over a network, by one or more processors, to the client computer directions between the origin and the destination; and

providing over a network, by one or more processors, to the client computer an alternative trip notification having information associated with the alternative transportation mode if the alternative trip price is less than the primary trip price.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein primary transportation mode comprises at least one of:

driving, flying, taking a train, or public transportation.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the alternative transportation mode comprises at least one of:

driving, flying, taking a train, or public transportation.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the information comprises at least one of:

descriptive text for the alternative trip, a link to details for the alternative trip, or the alternative trip price.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein determining for the alternative transportations mode, by one or more processors, the alternative trip price comprises obtaining the alternative trip price from a pricing engine associated with the alternative transportation mode.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the request from the client computer is received from an interactive map provided on the client computer.