Methods and systems for displaying schedule information

• US 9,286,601 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Concur Technologies Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Concur Technologies Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Elliott, Bruce, Krasnovskaya, Sofia, McCloskey, Alan, Fredericks, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Keehn, Richard G
• Application Number:
  US13/606,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20140074958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 709/213
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

A method and system comprising: receiving travel request data; retrieving schedule data associated with the travel request data from the database, the schedule data being further associated with a scheduled travel time; retrieving availability data associated with the travel request data from the cache, the availability data being further associated with an available travel time; and sending the schedule data and the availability data via a computer network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, with a client interface computer module comprising a database and a cache, travel request attribute information comprising;

a departure location, a destination location, a date of desired departure, a time or time range of desired departure, a date of desired arrival, a time or time range of desired arrival, and a mode of transportation;

retrieving, with a database query computer module, schedule data associated with the travel request attribute information from the database, the schedule data being further associated with scheduled travel times;

retrieving, with a cache query computer module, availability data associated with the travel request attribute information from the cache, the availability data being further associated with available travel times;

sending, with a client computer, the schedule data and the availability data to the client interface computer module via the computer network; and

displaying, with a client device, a graphical representation of the schedule data and the availability data, the graphical representation comprising a timeline and rectangular regions corresponding to the scheduled travel times and/or the available travel times;

wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently based on a number of stops or connections and/or whether an itinerary complies with an organization'"'"'s travel policies.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the client computer comprises a personal computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a smartphone, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, with the client computer, a search request to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

wherein displaying the graphical representation is performed prior to sending the search request.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, with the client computer, updated travel request data to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

receiving, with the client interface computer module, the updated travel request data;

retrieving, with the database query, updated schedule data associated with the updated travel request data from the database, the updated schedule data being further associated with an updated scheduled travel time;

retrieving, with the cache query, updated availability data associated with the updated travel request data from the cache, the updated availability data being further associated with an available travel time;

sending, with the client interface computer module, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network;

receiving, with the client computer, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network; and

updating, with the client device, the graphical representation to include the updated schedule data and the updated availability data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating, with the client device, instructions that permit a screen reader or other assistive technology to verbally describe the schedule data and the availability data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a rectangular region on the graphical representation corresponds either to a single travel itinerary or to multiple travel itineraries that have similar time characteristics.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a travel event type comprising air travel, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising coloring, with the client computer, a rectangular region with a color, wherein the color is selected based on:

a number of stops or connections required for an itinerary associated with the region, whether the itinerary associated with the region is compliant with a corporate travel policy, or any combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, with the client computer, an itinerary associated with a rectangular region.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the itinerary comprises:

airline, rail system, date of departure, time of departure, date of arrival, time of arrival, departure location, arrival location, locations of any intermediate stops or connections, date and/or time of any intermediate stops or connections, price of the itinerary, or any combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving, with the client computer, a user request to display the itinerary, wherein the user request comprises a hovering of a cursor over the rectangular region, a mouse click on the rectangular region, a touch screen input on the rectangular region, or any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, with a global distribution system (GDS) query computer module, the travel request data to a GDS via the computer network;

receiving, with the GDS query computer module, GDS data via the computer network, the GDS data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the GDS data via the computer network.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, with an itinerary query computer module, the travel request data to a supplier itinerary system via the computer network;

receiving, with the itinerary query computer module, supplier itinerary data via the computer network, the supplier itinerary data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the supplier itinerary data via the computer network.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduled travel time and the available travel time are travel times for transportation options comprising airline flights, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a provider of transportation.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying non-stop itineraries above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries with stops on an opposite side of the timeline.

17. The method of claim 1,

wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying itineraries that comply with an organization'"'"'s policy above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries that do not comply with an organization'"'"'s policy on an opposite side of the timeline.

18. A method comprising:

receiving, with a client interface computer module comprising a database and a cache, travel request attribute information comprising;

a departure location, a destination location, a date of desired departure, a time or time range of desired departure, a date of desired arrival, a time or time range of desired arrival, and a mode of transportation;

retrieving, with a database query computer module, schedule data associated with the travel request attribute information from the database, the schedule data being further associated with scheduled travel times;

retrieving, with a cache query computer module, availability data associated with the travel request attribute information from the cache, the availability data being further associated with available travel times;

sending, with a client computer, the schedule data and the availability data to the client interface computer module via the computer network; and

displaying, with a client device, a graphical representation of the schedule data and the availability data, the graphical representation comprising a timeline and rectangular regions corresponding to the scheduled travel times and/or the available travel times

wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying non-stop itineraries above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries with stops on an opposite side of the timeline.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the client computer comprises a personal computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a smartphone, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending, with the client computer, a search request to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

wherein displaying the graphical representation is performed prior to sending the search request.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending, with the client computer, updated travel request data to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

receiving, with the client interface computer module, the updated travel request data;

retrieving, with the database query, updated schedule data associated with the updated travel request data from the database, the updated schedule data being further associated with an updated scheduled travel time;

retrieving, with the cache query, updated availability data associated with the updated travel request data from the cache, the updated availability data being further associated with an available travel time;

sending, with the client interface computer module, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network;

receiving, with the client computer, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network; and

updating, with the client device, the graphical representation to include the updated schedule data and the updated availability data.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating, with the client device, instructions that permit a screen reader or other assistive technology to verbally describe schedule data and the availability data.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein a rectangular region on the graphical representation corresponds either to a single travel itinerary or to multiple travel itineraries that have similar time characteristics.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising coloring, with the client computer, the rectangular region with a color, wherein the color is selected based on:

a number of stops or connections required for an itinerary associated with the rectangular region, whether the itinerary associated with the rectangular region is compliant with a corporate travel policy, or any combination thereof.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying, with the client computer, an itinerary associated with a rectangular region.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the itinerary comprises:

airline, rail system, date of departure, time of departure, date of arrival, time of arrival, departure location, arrival location, locations of any intermediate stops or connections, date and/or time of any intermediate stops or connections, price of the itinerary, or any combination thereof.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising receiving, with the client computer, a user request to display the itinerary, wherein the user request comprises a hovering of a cursor over the rectangular region, a mouse click on the rectangular region, a touch screen input on the rectangular region, or any combination thereof.

28. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending, with a global distribution system (GDS) query computer module, the travel request data to a GDS via the computer network;

receiving, with the GDS query computer module, GDS data via the computer network, the GDS data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the GDS data via the computer network.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending, with an itinerary query computer module, the travel request data to a supplier itinerary system via the computer network;

receiving, with the itinerary query computer module, supplier itinerary data via the computer network, the supplier itinerary data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the supplier itinerary data via the computer network.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein the scheduled travel time and the available travel time are travel times for transportation options comprising airline flights, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a travel event type comprising air travel, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a provider of transportation.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently based on a number of stops or connections and/or whether an itinerary complies with an organization'"'"'s travel policies.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying itineraries that comply with an organization'"'"'s policy above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries that do not comply with an organization'"'"'s policy on an opposite side of the timeline.

35. A system comprising:

a hardware processor configured for;

receiving, with a client interface computer module comprising a database and a cache, travel request attribute information comprising;

a departure location, a destination location, a date of desired departure, a time or time range of desired departure, a date of desired arrival, a time or time range of desired arrival, and a mode of transportation;

retrieving, with a database query computer module, schedule data associated with the travel request attribute information from the database, the schedule data being further associated with scheduled travel times;

retrieving, with a cache query computer module, availability data associated with the travel request attribute information from the cache, the availability data being further associated with available travel times;

sending, with a client computer, the schedule data and the availability data to the client interface computer module via the computer network; and

displaying, with a client device, a graphical representation of the schedule data and the availability data, the graphical representation comprising a timeline and rectangular regions corresponding to the scheduled travel times and/or the available travel times

wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently based on a number of stops or connections and/or whether an itinerary complies with an organization'"'"'s travel policies.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the client computer comprises a personal computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a smartphone, or a combination thereof.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with the client computer, a search request to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

wherein displaying the graphical representation is performed prior to sending the search request.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with the client computer, updated travel request data to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

receiving, with the client interface computer module, the updated travel request data;

retrieving, with the database query, updated schedule data associated with the updated travel request data from the database, the updated schedule data being further associated with an updated scheduled travel time;

retrieving, with the cache query, updated availability data associated with the updated travel request data from the cache, the updated availability data being further associated with an available travel time;

sending, with the client interface computer module, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network;

receiving, with the client computer, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network; and

updating, with the client device, the graphical representation to include the updated schedule data and the updated availability data.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for generating, with the client device, instructions that permit a screen reader or other assistive technology to verbally describe schedule data and the availability data.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein a region on the graphical representation corresponds either to a single travel itinerary or to multiple travel itineraries that have similar time characteristics.

41. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for coloring, with the client computer, a rectangular region with a color, wherein the color is selected based on:

a number of stops or connections required for an itinerary associated with the region, whether the itinerary associated with the region is compliant with a corporate travel policy, or any combination thereof.

42. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for displaying, with the client computer, an itinerary associated with a region.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the itinerary comprises:

airline, rail system, date of departure, time of departure, date of arrival, time of arrival, departure location, arrival location, locations of any intermediate stops or connections, date and/or time of any intermediate stops or connections, price of the itinerary, or any combination thereof.

44. The system of claim 42, further comprising receiving, with the client computer, a user request to display the itinerary, wherein the user request comprises a hovering of a cursor over the rectangular region, a mouse click on the rectangular region, a touch screen input on the rectangular region, or any combination thereof.

45. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with a global distribution system (GDS) query computer module, the travel request data to a GDS via the computer network;

receiving, with the GDS query computer module, GDS data via the computer network, the GDS data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the GDS data via the computer network.

46. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with an itinerary query computer module, the travel request data to a supplier itinerary system via the computer network;

receiving, with the itinerary query computer module, supplier itinerary data via the computer network, the supplier itinerary data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the supplier itinerary data via the computer network.

47. The system of claim 35, wherein the scheduled travel time and the available travel time are travel times for transportation options comprising airline flights, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

48. The system of claim 35, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a travel event type comprising air travel, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

49. The system of claim 35, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a provider of transportation.

50. The system of claim 35, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying non-stop itineraries above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries with stops on an opposite side of the timeline.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying itineraries that comply with an organization'"'"'s policy above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries that do not comply with an organization'"'"'s policy on an opposite side of the timeline.

52. A system comprising:

a hardware processor configured for;

receiving, with a client interface computer module comprising a database and a cache, travel request attribute information comprising;

a departure location, a destination location, a date of desired departure, a time or time range of desired departure, a date of desired arrival, a time or time range of desired arrival, and a mode of transportation;

retrieving, with a database query computer module, schedule data associated with the travel request attribute information from the database, the schedule data being further associated with scheduled travel times;

retrieving, with a cache query computer module, availability data associated with the travel request attribute information from the cache, the availability data being further associated with available travel times;

sending, with a client computer, the schedule data and the availability data to the client interface computer module via the computer network; and

displaying, with a client device, a graphical representation of the schedule data and the availability data, the graphical representation comprising a timeline and rectangular regions corresponding to the scheduled travel times and/or the available travel times

wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying non-stop itineraries above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries with stops on an opposite side of the timeline.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the client computer comprises a personal computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a smartphone, or a combination thereof.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with the client computer, a search request to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

wherein displaying the graphical representation is performed prior to sending the search request.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with the client computer, updated travel request data to the client interface computer module via the computer network;

receiving, with the client interface computer module, the updated travel request data;

retrieving, with the database query, updated schedule data associated with the updated travel request data from the database, the updated schedule data being further associated with an updated scheduled travel time;

retrieving, with the cache query, updated availability data associated with the updated travel request data from the cache, the updated availability data being further associated with an available travel time;

sending, with the client interface computer module, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network;

receiving, with the client computer, the updated schedule data and the updated availability data via the computer network; and

updating, with the client device, the graphical representation to include the updated schedule data and the updated availability data.

56. The system of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for generating, with the client device, instructions that permit a screen reader or other assistive technology to verbally describe schedule data and the availability data.

57. The system of claim 52, wherein a rectangular region on the graphical representation corresponds either to a single travel itinerary or to multiple travel itineraries that have similar time characteristics.

58. The system of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for coloring, with the client computer, a rectangular region with a color, wherein the color is selected based on:

a number of stops or connections required for an itinerary associated with the region, whether the itinerary associated with the region is compliant with a corporate travel policy, or any combination thereof.

59. The system of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for displaying, with the client computer, an itinerary associated with a rectangular region.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the itinerary comprises:

airline, rail system, date of departure, time of departure, date of arrival, time of arrival, departure location, arrival location, locations of any intermediate stops or connections, date and/or time of any intermediate stops or connections, price of the itinerary, or any combination thereof.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the processor is further configured for receiving, with the client computer, a user request to display the itinerary, wherein the user request comprises a hovering of a cursor over the rectangular region, a mouse click on the rectangular region, a touch screen input on the rectangular region, or any combination thereof.

62. The method of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with a global distribution system (GDS) query computer module, the travel request data to a GDS via the computer network;

receiving, with the GDS query computer module, GDS data via the computer network, the GDS data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the GDS data via the computer network.

63. The system of claim 52, wherein the processor is further configured for:

sending, with an itinerary query computer module, the travel request data to a supplier itinerary system via the computer network;

receiving, with the itinerary query computer module, supplier itinerary data via the computer network, the supplier itinerary data being associated with an available travel time; and

sending, with the client interface computer module, the supplier itinerary data via the computer network.

64. The system of claim 52, wherein the scheduled travel time and the available travel time are travel times for transportation options comprising airline flights, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

65. The system of claim 52, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a travel event type comprising air travel, rail travel, or any combination thereof.

66. The system of claim 52, wherein the travel request attribute information comprises a provider of transportation.

67. The system of claim 52, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently based on a number of stops or connections and/or whether an itinerary complies with an organization'"'"'s travel policies.

68. The system of claim 52, wherein the rectangular regions are displayed differently by displaying itineraries that comply with an organization'"'"'s policy above or below the timeline and displaying itineraries that do not comply with an organization'"'"'s policy on an opposite side of the line.