US6353794B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air travel information and computer data compilation, retrieval and display method and system
Assignee: Air Routing International LP
•
Filing: 1999-10-19
•
Granted: 2002-03-05
•
Expires: 2019-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A system, method, and computer program for managing integrated real-time information about air flight trips and providing that information to multiple users by way of a flight operations system (FOS), including a data engine (DE) and render engine (RE). A computerized Upstream Distribution Center (UDC) containing a packet manager connects to the FOS and to a user interface including a computer display using text, image and color. The UDC is connectable to multiple user interfaces containing copies of the computer program through computer networks by which information is collected and propagated on a real time basis using object-relational mapping, object caching and proactive notification or “push” technology.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry Davis
- 👤 Scott Blachowicz
- 👤 Larry Brasfield
- 👤 Dennis Howard
- 👤 David Helms
- 👤 Craig Paynter
- 👤 Randy Robertson
- 👤 James Rouse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:37
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G5/00; G08G5/50; G08G5/56; G01; G01C; G01C23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for planning and tracking at least one air travel trip from an operational center and for providing access to multiple users to user selected information about the trip, wherein said trip includes at least one trip leg, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first interactive pane on a terminal screen in text format for displaying data about the real time progress of the at least one trip as planned by the operational center; providing a second interactive pane in text format for displaying the real time progress of the at least one trip leg against a date and time scale; and providing a third interactive pane in graphics format for displaying the real time progress of the at least one trip leg superimposed on a geographical map; and using push technology to enable the operational center to supply real time updates to the first, second and third interactive panes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for planning and tracking at least one air travel trip from an operational center and for providing access to multiple users to user selected information about the trip, wherein said trip includes at least one trip leg, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first interactive pane on a terminal screen in text format for displaying data about the real time progress of the at least one trip as planned by the operational center; providing a second interactive pane in text format for displaying the real time progress of the at least one trip leg against a date and time scale; and providing a third interactive pane in graphics format for displaying the real time progress of the at least one trip leg superimposed on a geographical map; and using push technology to enable the operational center to supply real time updates to the first, second and third interactive panes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the using step includes providing an upstream data distribution center with a data packet manager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the data packet manager uses object-relational mapping, object caching and proactive notification technology.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second interactive panes of the first and second providing steps include an array of color coded textual codes wherein the textual codes represent a corresponding array of plannable and trackable services and the color of the textual codes represents the current status of each of the services represented by each of the textual codes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the third interactive pane displays the at least one trip leg as a curve representing an actual flight path of an aircraft and further displays a symbol representing the location of the aircraft along the displayed flight path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the third interactive pane displays current environmental weather information pertaining to a trip leg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the third interactive pane includes user selectable sets of sources for the environmental weather information to display wherein said user selectable sets include satellite and radar images.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein user selection of a flight trip in the first interactive pane automatically selects corresponding trip legs in the second and third interactive panes to enable the user to access selected detail information pertaining to the user selected flight trip from either of the panes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the second and third interactive panes include user activatable pop-up text boxes for displaying detailed information about the selected trip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a text editor for convertinguser selected screen information into downloadable text.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an interactive command line text box for directly requesting information available from any of the first, second and third interactive panes.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A system for managing at least one air flight trip from an operational center and at least one remote terminal not in the operational center, said air flight trip having at least one trip leg covering an air flight from a first airport to a second airport, said system comprising: a flight operations system including a data engine, a render engine, and a first user interface; a second user interface remotely operably connectable to the flight operations system; and a distribution center accessible by the first and second user interfaces wherein the distribution center includes a packet manager for distributing text data from the data engine and image data from the render engine to the first and second user interfaces.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A system for managing at least one air flight trip from an operational center and at least one remote terminal not in the operational center, said air flight trip having at least one trip leg covering an air flight from a first airport to a second airport, said system comprising: a flight operations system including a data engine, a render engine, and a first user interface; a second user interface remotely operably connectable to the flight operations system; and a distribution center accessible by the first and second user interfaces wherein the distribution center includes a packet manager for distributing text data from the data engine and image data from the render engine to the first and second user interfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the packet manager provides information in text and image format to the first and second user interfaces using object-relational mapping, object caching and proactive notification technology.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
189 words
A computer program for providing user access to real time information about at least one air flight trip by way of a user interface, wherein said air flight trip includes at least one trip leg covering an air flight from a first location to a second location, said program comprising: a first interactive pane on a terminal screen in text format displaying data about the at least one air flight trip; a second interactive pane in text format displaying the at least one trip leg against a date and time scale; a context pane including airport information and trip services information text format; a context pane text editor for converting user selected context pane information into downloadable text; a third interactive pane in graphics format displaying the at least one trip leg superimposed on a geographical world map; and a command line pane for receiving commands; wherein the program uses object-relational mapping, object caching and proactive notification technology to enable mutiple users to access the real time information by way of the first, second, and third interactive panes, the context pane, and the command line, through a computer network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
189 words
A computer program for providing user access to real time information about at least one air flight trip by way of a user interface, wherein said air flight trip includes at least one trip leg covering an air flight from a first location to a second location, said program comprising: a first interactive pane on a terminal screen in text format displaying data about the at least one air flight trip; a second interactive pane in text format displaying the at least one trip leg against a date and time scale; a context pane including airport information and trip services information text format; a context pane text editor for converting user selected context pane information into downloadable text; a third interactive pane in graphics format displaying the at least one trip leg superimposed on a geographical world map; and a command line pane for receiving commands; wherein the program uses object-relational mapping, object caching and proactive notification technology to enable mutiple users to access the real time information by way of the first, second, and third interactive panes, the context pane, and the command line, through a computer network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The program of claim 14 wherein the at least one air flight trip is selected by an end user of the program.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The program of claim 14 wherein the data about the at least one air flight trip includes a set of color coded service identifiers wherein the color of each service code represents the most critical current status of that service for any leg of the at least one flight trip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The program of claim 14 wherein the at least one trip leg in the second interactive pane depicts the trip leg as a color bar wherein the bar color represents the current status of the most critical service for the at least one trip leg.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The program of claim 14 wherein the third interactive pane displays the at least one trip leg as a curve representing an actual flight path of an aircraft and further displays a symbol representing the location of the aircraft along the displayed flight path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The program of claim 14 wherein the third interactive pane displays current environmental weather information pertaining to a trip leg.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The program of claim 19 wherein the third interactive pane includes user selectable sets of sources for the environmental weather information to display wherein said user selectable sets include satellite and radar images.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The program of claim 14 wherein user selection of a flight trip in the first interactive pane automatically selects corresponding trip legs in the second and third interactive panes to enable the user to access selected detail information pertaining to the user selected flight trip from either of the panes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The program of claim 21 wherein the second and third interactive panes include user activatable pop-up text boxes for displaying detailed information about the selected trip.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The program of claim 14 further comprising a text editor for converting user selected screen information into downloadable text.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The program of claim 14 further comprising an interactive command line text box for directly requesting information available from any of the first, second and third interactive panes.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for integrating air travel and related information for planning and executing one or more trips involving at least one flight, said method comprising the steps of: collecting the air travel and related information; updating the air travel and related information by using push technology; and making available real time updates of air travel and related information through computer networks.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for integrating air travel and related information for planning and executing one or more trips involving at least one flight, said method comprising the steps of: collecting the air travel and related information; updating the air travel and related information by using push technology; and making available real time updates of air travel and related information through computer networks.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the air travel and related information includes: trip identification information; tasks being performed during the trip; and environmental factors affecting the trip.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the trip identification information includes: a predefined trip identifier; a predetermined aircraft identifier; a predetermined pilot identifier; a predetermined client identifier; a set of predetermined service identifiers; and beginning and ending location identifiers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the environmental factors include: weather information; satellite image of the earth; and radar shots of the earth.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the environmental factors can be superimposed over a global geographical map.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the tasks include: catering service; customs setup; flight plan; fuel service; ground services; landing permits; overflight permits; security guard service; landing slot reservation service; weather brief; visa information; and weather forecast information.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the tasks are displayed as colored boxes, the colors indicating completion status of the tasks.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the flight is represented by a colored bar, the color representing a status of at least one service related to the flight.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the at least one flight is represented by a curve superimposed over a world map, the curve representing the actual travel path of the flight, wherein selection of the curve by a user interface tool invokes a text box displaying the air travel and related information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5802492A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-04 | 2005-09-03 | 2006-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-04 | 2009-09-03 | 2010-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-04 | 2013-09-03 | 2014-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |