WO2017046817A1

WO2017046817A1 - Method and interface for preparation of tour itinerary through virtual tour mapping

Info

Publication number: WO2017046817A1
Application number: PCT/IN2016/050313
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sankalp PANDEY; Chirag MALIK; Chandrakant SHARMA; Megha Sharma; Ravi Mohan
Original assignee: Routern Private Limited
Priority date: 2015-09-17
Filing date: 2016-09-16
Publication date: 2017-03-23

Abstract

A method of planning and booking a tour including one or more destinations via a single web page is provided. The method includes: selecting one or more destinations from multiple destinations provided on the webpage; displaying the selected destinations on a map on the same web page; selecting one or more modes of transportation from multiple transport options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations, each transport option being displayed along with a corresponding associated cost; selecting one or more accommodations from multiple accommodation options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations, each transport option being displayed along with a corresponding associated cost; displaying a customized tour package based on the selections along with a total cost of the same; and confirming the tour package by making a payment of the total cost via a payment gateway corresponding to the web page.

Description

METHOD AND INTERFACE FOR PREPARATION OF TOUR ITINERARY

THROUGH VIRTUAL TOUR MAPPING

FIELD

The present invention is directed towards a method and system for organizing and planning the itinerary of a tour through the manual interaction between the computer system and the end user i.e. the traveler without any intervention by any other third party. More particularly the present invention relates to a method and system to present virtual tour with all the necessary information to users of a computer system at a single place without any deviation from a webpage.

BACKGROUND

There are already in existence various online tours and travel portals with a set of fixed itinerary. Existing systems only provide set pre planned tour itineraries that cannot be modified by the user or customized to their needs. Customized itineraries are built on case by case basis via manual discussion with travel consultants. There is no automated system or method that exists in this area that can automate planning of a trip and create an itinerary according to the needs and wishes of an individual. Also in existing systems it is very difficult to visualize route of journey at the time of booking.

Presently, there are some travel portals providing methods wherein the traveler can select and customize the itinerary. However, the process is time consuming and takes the travel planner to various pages on different portals. We understand the traveler cannot navigate repeatedly to different portals for the bookings made for Flights, Hotels, Buses, Taxi, etc. Also the visualization on the Map is presented in such a way that the traveler can not locate or visualize his/her travel plan. The said methods fails to meet the requirement of the traveler in such cases.

After using existing portals for planning a trip it is being observed that there exist a gap between users and these portals, as in that they do not provide a way to create a customized plan without a manual intervention of some travel consultant. Existing web sites for booking/planning travel are static and do not allow users to satisfactorily modify pre-defined tour itineraries on these portals because of which users have to contact a travel consultant for manually building a customized itinerary. Further, existing travel portals do not allow a complete visualization of a trip on a map to verify appropriate distance and routes before a user chooses to complete the booking process. Accordingly, there is need for an interaction interface that enables a user to see various possible routes of journey and to help in dynamically changing the routes with the help of a map providing a better understanding of routes and distances.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present specification provides a method of planning and booking a tour comprising one or more destinations via a single web page. The method comprises: selecting one or more destinations from a plurality of destinations provided on the webpage; displaying the selected destinations on a map on the same web page; selecting one or more modes of transportation from among a plurality of transport options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations, each transport option being displayed along with a corresponding associated cost; selecting one or more accommodations from among a plurality of accommodation options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations, each transport option being displayed along with a corresponding associated cost; displaying a customized tour package based on the selections along with a total cost of the same; and confirming the tour package by making a payment of the total cost via a payment gateway corresponding to the web page.

In an embodiment, the web page is rendered on an Internet based web portal. In another embodiment, the web page is rendered as an application on a mobile platform. In yet another embodiment, the web page is rendered on a stand-alone machine accessed via a smart card.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises displaying places of interest corresponding to the selected destination as pop-up screens dynamically on the web page when required by the user.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises selecting travel dates corresponding to each selected destination and displaying a day wise tour itinerary by using one or more of the selected destinations, selected transportation options, and selected accommodation options.

In another embodiment, the present specification provides a tour planning interface allowing a user to plan and book a customized tour comprising one or more destinations. The interface comprises: a first section comprising a plurality of destinations, the section allowing the user to select one or more destinations; a second section comprising a map for displaying the selected destinations; a third section comprising a plurality of transportation options corresponding to each destination, the third section dynamically displaying transportation options corresponding to each selected destination, the third section allowing the user to select one or more transportation options from among the displayed transportation options; a fourth section comprising a plurality of accommodation options corresponding to each destination, the third section dynamically displaying accommodation options corresponding to each selected destination, the third section allowing the user to select one or more accommodation options from among the displayed accommodation options; a fifth section allowing the user to select a day wise tour itinerary by using one or more of the selections made via the first, second and third sections, the fifth section dynamically displaying one or more places of interest corresponding to each user selected destination; and a sixth section allowing the user to confirm and book the customized tour by collating the selections made via the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections.

In an embodiment the interface is rendered as a web page on an Internet based web portal. In another embodiment, the interface is rendered as an application on a mobile platform. In yet another embodiment, the interface is rendered on a stand-alone machine accessed via a smart card.

The aforementioned and other embodiments of the present specification shall be described in greater depth in the drawings and detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a screen shot from an exemplary existing static tour booking system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a screenshot of an exemplary web page for travel planning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification; FIG. 3 illustrates another screenshot of an exemplary web page for travel planning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of preparing a customized tour itinerary and booking the same by using the virtual tour mapper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention aims to improve over existing ways of travel planning through various e-portals by providing a flexible, less time consuming and visually intuitive environment to the end user for creating their travel plan. In respect of reducing the time taken by user to prepare a travel plan, the present invention provides a user with a single screen user interface platform that reduces the number of clicks and navigations across pages, which thereby save the user time to prepare a self-made itinerary. Accordingly, the present invention is directed towards a method where by virtue of real time user inputs specific details of a travel itinerary can be decided such as, but not limited to, mode of transport, accommodation, place to visit, and the like, by using a single screen displayed over a routed map and to prepare a user specific travel plan.

The present specification is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a screen shot from an exemplary existing static tour booking system. As shown in screenshot 100, a section 102 allows a user to select a budget range from among a set of predefined budget ranges; a section 104 allows the user to select a duration of tour from among a set of predefined durations. Other sections (not shown) allow the user to pick a location from among predefined location options provided. Based on the options selected by the user, one or more predefined tour packages are presented in sections 106, 108 for the user to select from. These tour packages comprise fixed hotel/transportation/activities details and have a fixed cost associated with them such as presented in sections 110 and 112 respectively. Hence, the tour booking system does not allow the user to alter/customize any of the particulars such as but not limited to, hotels/transportation/activities associated with the fixed package tours displayed. The user may customize a tour package according to his/her needs only by calling a customer service executive, which increases the time of creating the travel plan multiple folds.

The present specification provides a flexible, less time consuming and visually intuitive portal to the end user for creating their travel plan. The present specification provides a user with a single screen user interface platform that reduces the number of clicks and navigations across pages, which thereby save the user time to prepare a self-made itinerary. By using the single screen platform a user can define all required tour planning specifications such as date of travel, place of travel, duration of stay, accommodation and transport requirements without having to manually interact with a tour agent.

FIG. 2 illustrates a screenshot of an exemplary web page for travel planning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification. As shown in screenshot 200, options for destinations 202, hotel booking details 204, day wise visit of each place 206 and a map 208 to visually know trip routes and distance details are displayed in separate sections on the same webpage, thereby reducing navigation time for a user. In an embodiment, the user is required to select a destination from section 202, which destination is then displayed on map 208. When the user selects a second destination, the same is also displayed in the map 208, enabling the user to visualize the two destinations and the distance between them. A plurality of destinations may be selected by the user and correspondingly displayed on the map 208, thereby allowing the user to plan his/her tour itinerary in a convenient, flexible and less time consuming manner as compared to existing tour planning portals.

In embodiments, the user selects a suitable accommodation from among a plurality of accommodations catering to a large variety of traveler needs from the same web page, which details are then displayed in section 204. A complete itinerary planned by the user comprising a day wise visit of a site of interest is displayed in section 206, in order to enable the user to view all the tour details in one place. The tour planning web page of the present specification also allows the user to re-plan the tour by clicking on button 210, which would erase any previously selected choices. Once the user is sure about the planned tour displayed on the web page, he/she may proceed to confirm the same and pay by clicking on button 212.

FIG. 3 illustrates another screenshot of an exemplary web page for travel planning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification. As shown in screenshot 300, section 302 displays the destination selected by a user and section 304 displays all places of interest corresponding to the destination selected. Once a destination is selected by a user from section 302, places of interest corresponding to the selected destination pop-up dynamically on the screen, when required by the user, as shown in section 306. Map 308 displays all destinations selected by the user for better visualization of the distances and the planned tour by the user. The screenshots 200 and 300 show that how flexibly and easily the entire tour booking system is incorporated on one webpage, where information such as, but not limited to destination details, hotel booking details, day wise visit of each place and a map to visually know trip routes and distance details is displayed. This eases the process of creating user defined itinerary and at the same time displays the travel destinations on a map with least amount of navigations and less time involved.

In an embodiment, a pin is displayed adjacent each destination being displayed on the map 308. When a user clicks on any of these a list of hotels and attractions for the particular destination is dynamically displayed as a pop-up screen, allowing the user to select one or more of the displayed hotels and attractions for planning his/her tour itinerary. In embodiments, various other information such as a description of destinations, description of attractions, famous and nearby food joints, shopping places, restaurants, best time to visit, drive duration, entry timing of a particular monument/attraction, distance between destinations, suggestions regarding a recommended number of days and night to be spent at a particular destination are also dynamically displayed corresponding to the destinations displayed on the map 308. In an embodiment, this information is also provided to the user in the form of an audio file which may be accessed by clicking on a head phone icon displayed on the webpage. Further, in an embodiment, a user planned tour itinerary may also be downloaded along with all the important information and static road map of the tour, for off line usage.

In an embodiment, with respect to destinations displayed on the map 308, the user can see the weather of the destinations, traffic of travelers for a particular destination, socio economic impact on tourism of destinations, natural calamities hitting the destinations in a predefined time frame displayed dynamically over the map.

Hence, the present specification provides a method of preparing a customized tour itinerary by a user on a single user interface and visualizing the entire tour on a map at the same time. The method provides user friendly flexibility to add/remove/update the tour plan that may include selection of cities, stay accommodations, mode of transport in the real time. In embodiments, the present specification provides a real time integrated system and method to solve the need of user to customize the plan and create his own defined tour plan.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of preparing a customized tour itinerary and booking the same by using the virtual tour mapper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present specification. At step 402 a user opens a virtual mapper interface. In an embodiment the user is required to register himself/herself prior to proceeding further (i.e. make a log in identification), while in another embodiment, the user may proceed without having to register. At step 404 the user selects one or more destinations of preference from a plurality of destinations provided. In embodiments, the user may keep adding/removing desired destinations. At step 404, the selected destinations are displayed on a map on the same web page enabling the user to visualize his/her travel plan. At step 406 the user selects modes of transportation and accommodations from among a plurality of options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations. Each transport and accommodation option is displayed along with a corresponding cost associated with it. At step 408, once the user completes his/her selection, a customized tour package based on the selections is formed and total cost of the same is computed and displayed. At step 410 the user submits a payment of the total cost to the virtual tour mapper portal which in turn makes all required transport and accommodation bookings based on the user selections. In various embodiments, the method of tour planning and booking of the present specification may be provided as a web portal, or as an application provided on a mobile platform, or via smart cards applicable in specialized tour planning machines (similar to automatic teller machines) installed at different places for easy access to collect tickets and book tickets at any point of time. In an embodiment, an electronic smart card is used to book tickets for a planned tour. In an embodiment, an instant predefined number (PNR) is generated for each booking allowing a registered privileged user to book tickets without having to pay immediately.

In an embodiment, the present specification provides a method of social tagging for the purpose of planning and booking a tour. The method enables travelers to automatically share their location while traveling, through their integrated log in on the various social platforms available on the internet. Social tagging helps people to share their itineraries and destinations. These itineraries and destinations are stored by the system of the present specification and can be provided as predefined itineraries to users. For example, if a user's friend has tagged the user for destination 'Kerala' and for accommodation ' Hotel Taj' on a social networking website, or if the user has 'liked' the tag; the user will be presented the destination 'Kerala' and for accommodation ' Hotel Taj' as part of a predefined itinerary when the user next accesses the interface of the present specification for planning a tour.

In an embodiment, the present specification provides common screen sharing platform where travelers can interact, plan and edit their travel itinerary. This common screen sharing platform enables groups of users to plan tours flexibly while sharing destination, transport and accommodation preferences. The common screen sharing platform allows multiple people (group of people) to login to the same screen and choose their itineraries over a map and create group travel plan.

In an embodiment, the present specification provides a method allowing a user to enjoy cashless travel facilities. A user can obtain a pre-paid wallet integrated with the user's smart card, which allows the user to instantly check in while showing up the card and its number at a hotel or book a flight at the airport by using the cashless travel card.

In an embodiment, the present specification provides a travel dashboard allowing the traveler and the travel planner to be on the same page. According to the travelers history of travel the dashboard would suggest the places he can opt to travel and what is the place he would prefer according to his nature, taste and previous travel made. In an embodiment, the present specification provides a method of virtually touring the destinations preferred by a user by using any of the available virtual tour devices.

The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications of the reservoir bag of present specification. Although only a few embodiments of the present specification have been described herein, it should be understood that the present specification might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the specification. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the specification may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A method of planning and booking a tour comprising one or more destinations via a single web page, the method comprising: selecting one or more destinations from a plurality of destinations provided on the webpage; displaying the selected destinations on a map on the same web page; selecting one or more modes of transportation from among a plurality of transport options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations, each transport option being displayed along with a corresponding associated cost; selecting one or more accommodations from among a plurality of accommodation options displayed dynamically on the web page corresponding to the selected destinations, each transport option being displayed along with a corresponding associated cost; displaying a customized tour package based on the selections along with a total cost of the same; and confirming the tour package by making a payment of the total cost via a payment gateway corresponding to the web page.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the web page is rendered on an Internet based web portal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the web page is rendered as an application on a mobile platform.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the web page is rendered on a stand-alone machine accessed via a smart card.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying places of interest corresponding to the selected destination as pop-up screens dynamically on the web page when required by the user.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting travel dates corresponding to each selected destination and displaying a day wise tour itinerary by using one or more of the selected destinations, selected transportation options, and selected accommodation options.

7. A tour planning interface allowing a user to plan and book a customized tour comprising one or more destinations, the interface comprising: a first section comprising a plurality of destinations, the section allowing the user to select one or more destinations; a second section comprising a map for displaying the selected destinations; a third section comprising a plurality of transportation options corresponding to each destination, the third section dynamically displaying transportation options corresponding to each selected destination, the third section allowing the user to select one or more transportation options from among the displayed transportation options; a fourth section comprising a plurality of accommodation options corresponding to each destination, the third section dynamically displaying accommodation options corresponding to each selected destination, the third section allowing the user to select one or more accommodation options from among the displayed accommodation options; a fifth section allowing the user to select a day wise tour itinerary by using one or more of the selections made via the first, second and third sections, the fifth section dynamically displaying one or more places of interest corresponding to each user selected destination; and a sixth section allowing the user to confirm and book the customized tour by collating the selections made via the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections.

8. The interface of claim 7 being rendered as a web page on an Internet based web portal.

9. The interface of claim 1 being rendered as an application on a mobile platform.

10. The interface of claim 1 being rendered on a stand-alone machine accessed via a smart card.