U.S. patent application number 14/071100 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for presenting a travel option.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hipmunk, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hipmunk, Inc.. Invention is credited to Adam Julian Goldstein, Steven Ladd Huffman.
Application Number | 20140058884 14/071100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47713414 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140058884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldstein; Adam Julian ; et
al. |
February 27, 2014 |
PRESENTING A TRAVEL OPTION
Abstract
Presentation of travel options may involve presenting a travel
option based on an event stored in a calendar of a user. A
suggestion machine may access calendar data of the user and travel
data for a travel option (e.g., a flight from San Francisco to New
York). Based on the accessed calendar data and travel data, the
suggestion machine may present one or more travel options to the
user.
Inventors: |
Goldstein; Adam Julian; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Huffman; Steven Ladd; (San
Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hipmunk, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hipmunk, Inc.
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
47713414 |
Appl. No.: |
14/071100 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13210562 |
Aug 16, 2011 |
8606801 |
|
|
14071100 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/1095 20130101;
G06Q 10/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0631 20130101; G06Q 10/109 20130101;
G06Q 50/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.7 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method comprising: accessing calendar data of a user, the
calendar data indicating a first period of time that corresponds to
an event scheduled for the user; accessing travel data of a travel
option, the travel data indicating a second period of time that
corresponds to the travel option and indicating a location that
corresponds to the travel option, the first period of time for the
event coinciding at least in part with the second period of time
for the travel option; and presenting the travel option with a map
that depicts the location that corresponds to the travel option,
the presenting of the travel option being performed by a processor
of a machine.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the travel data indicates that
the location is a departure location of the travel option, the
travel option being a transportation option; and the presenting of
the travel option with the map includes presenting the departure
location of the travel option within the map.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein: the travel data indicates that
the location is an arrival location of the travel option, the
travel option being a transportation option; and the presenting of
the travel option with the map includes presenting the arrival
location of the travel option within the map.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein: the travel data indicates that
the location is an accommodation location of a hotel stay; and the
presenting of the travel option with the map includes presenting
the accommodation location of the hotel stay within the map.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein: the map is a geographical map
that depicts a city that includes the location that corresponds to
the travel option.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein: the presenting of the travel
option with the map that depicts the location of the travel option
presents a reminder that the event is scheduled to occur during the
first period of time.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein: the presenting of the travel
option with the map that depicts the location of the travel option
includes communicating a reminder to the user via a device of the
user.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein: the calendar data indicates an
attendee of the event other than the user; and the presenting of
the travel option with the map that depicts the location of the
travel option includes communicating a reminder to the attendee via
a device of the attendee.
10. The method of claim 2, wherein: the presenting of the travel
option with the map presents the location that corresponds the
travel option as a pin within the map.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein: the presenting of the travel
option with the map presents a further location of a further event
scheduled for the user within the map.
12. The method of claim 2, wherein: the presenting of the travel
option with the map presents a further location that corresponds to
a further travel option within the map.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein: the first period of time for
the event fully coincides with the second period of time for the
travel option.
14. The method of claim 2, wherein: the travel option includes an
airline flight scheduled to occur during the second period of
time.
15. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a
machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
accessing calendar data of a user, the calendar data indicating a
first period of time that corresponds to an event scheduled for the
user; accessing travel data of a travel option, the travel data
indicating a second period of time that corresponds to the travel
option and indicating a location that corresponds to the travel
option, the first period of time for the event coinciding at least
in part with the second period of time for the travel option; and
presenting the travel option with a map that depicts the location
that corresponds to the travel option.
16. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15,
wherein: the calendar data indicates that the user is scheduled to
participate in the event during the first period of time.
17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 15,
wherein: the travel data indicates that the location is a departure
location of the travel option, the travel option being a
transportation option; and the presenting of the travel option with
the map includes presenting the departure location of the travel
option within the map.
18. A system comprising: an access module configured to: accessing
calendar data of a user, the calendar data indicating a first
period of time that corresponds to an event scheduled for the user;
and accessing travel data of a travel option, the travel data
indicating a second period of time that corresponds to the travel
option and indicating a location that corresponds to the travel
option, the first period of time for the event coinciding at least
in part with the second period of time for the travel option; and a
processor configured to present the travel option with a map that
depicts the location that corresponds to the travel option.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein: the travel data indicates that
the location is a departure location of the travel option, the
travel option being a transportation option; and the processor is
configured to present the travel option with the map by presenting
the departure location of the travel option within the map.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein: the travel data indicates that
the location is an arrival location of the travel option, the
travel option being a transportation option; and the processor is
configured to present the travel option with the map by presenting
the arrival location of the travel option within the map.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein: the processor is configured to
present the travel option with the map by presenting a reminder
that the event is scheduled to occur during the first period of
time.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims the
priority benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/210,562
(Attorney Docket No. 3283.015US1), filed Aug. 16, 2011, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to the
processing of data. Specifically, the present disclosure addresses
systems and methods to facilitate presentation of a travel
option.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An online service may allow a user of the online service to
view multiple options for travel plans and make a selection from
among the multiple options. For example, an airline may operate a
webpage that provides an online reservation service from which a
user may search for available flights (e.g., from San Francisco to
New York) on a particular day and then select one of the available
flights for reserving a seat thereon. As another example, a hotel
may operate a webpage that provides an online reservation service
from which the user may search for available hotel properties and
room types (e.g., in New York) for a particular period of time
(e.g., September 5 through September 9) and then select one of the
available room types at an available hotel property for reserving.
As a further example, a restaurant may offer a webpage that
provides an online reservation service from which the user may
search for available table reservations (e.g., at a popular
restaurant) within a particular range of times (e.g., 5:30 PM to
7:30 PM) on a particular date and then select one of the available
table reservations for reserving.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating a network
environment suitable for presentation of a travel option, according
to some example embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
suggestion machine, according to some example embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating calendar data
accessed by the suggestion machine, according to some example
embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating travel data accessed
by the suggestion machine, according to some example
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating transportation option
data accessed by the suggestion machine, according to some example
embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating accommodation option
data accessed by the suggestion machine, according to some example
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 7-9 are flowcharts illustrating operations in a method
of presenting a travel option, according to some example
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
machine, according to some example embodiments, able to read
instructions from a machine-readable medium and perform any one or
more of the methodologies discussed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Example methods and systems are directed to presentation of
one or more travel options. Examples merely typify possible
variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and
functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and
operations may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided. In
the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous
specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding
of example embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the
art, however, that the present subject matter may be practiced
without these specific details.
[0014] Presentation of a travel option may involve suggesting a
travel option based on events stored in a calendar of a user. For
example, a user in San Francisco may be scheduled for a business
trip to New York, and the user's calendar may show a dinner
reservation in San Francisco on Saturday, September 3 and a
business meeting in New York on Monday, September 5. A suggestion
machine is configured to access calendar data of the user and
travel data for several available travel options (e.g., flights
from San Francisco to New York). Based on the accessed calendar
data and travel data, the suggestion machine may be configured to
determine that one or more particular travel options (e.g., a
flight on Sunday, September 4) are compatible with the dinner
reservation and the business meeting on the user's calendar. The
suggestion machine is further configured to present travel options
to the user (e.g., as suggestions for making a selection of a
flight, or as a reminder).
[0015] As used herein, a "travel option" is an option (e.g.,
choice, offering, alternative, menu item, or special deal) of
potential interest to a traveller (e.g., as a user of an online
service) in making or executing a travel plan (e.g., an itinerary).
A travel option may be a "transportation option" pertinent to a
transportation service or a vehicle. Examples of transportation
options include travel by airplane, train, bus, trolley, ferry,
ship, taxicab, rental car, car sharing service, or any suitable
combination thereof. Transportation options may include
transportation services (e.g., passenger service) provided by
commercial carriers (e.g., airlines, car rental companies, or
cruise operators), public transportation (e.g., city buses or
regional trains), private operators (e.g., limousine services,
charter airplanes, or charter helicopters), or any combination
thereof. In some example embodiments, the transportation option
specifies that the traveler walk, jog, hike, or ride a bicycle to a
particular destination. A travel option may be an "accommodation
option" pertinent to an accommodation (e.g., hospitality) service.
Examples of accommodation options include stays in a hotel, motel,
resort, hostel, bed-and-breakfast inn, boarding house, vacation
rental, home sharing service, campground, or any suitable
combination thereof. Further examples of accommodation options
include reservations at a restaurant, conference facility, health
facility (e.g., spa, salon, or massage studio), athletic facility
(e.g., gym, pool, or fitness center), or entertainment venue (e.g.,
theater, sports stadium, amusement park, or museum). In some
situations, a travel option may be both a transportation option and
an accommodation option (e.g., a compartment in a passenger train,
a cabin on a cruise ship, or a bed on an overnight airline flight).
A further example of a travel option is trip insurance (e.g., an
insurance policy for a set of transportation options, accommodation
options, or both).
[0016] FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating a network
environment 100 suitable for presentation of a travel option,
according to some example embodiments. The network environment 100
includes a suggestion machine 110, a calendar server 120, a travel
server 130, and user devices 140 and 150, all communicatively
coupled to each other via a network 190. In some example
embodiments, the suggestion machine 110 and the calendar server 120
may form all or part of a calendar service system that provides
calendar-related services to one or more users (e.g., event
scheduling or project management). In certain example embodiments,
the suggestion machine 110 and the travel server 130 may form all
or part of a travel service system that provides travel-related
services to one or more users (e.g., merchandising of travel
options or itinerary management). In various example embodiments,
the suggestion machine 110, the calendar server 120, and the travel
server 130 form all or part of a combined system. The suggestion
machine 110 may be implemented in a computer system, as described
below with respect to FIG. 10.
[0017] The calendar server 120 functions as a data repository that
stores calendar data of one or more users. In some example
embodiments, the calendar server 120 is operated by a third-party
calendar service (e.g., Google or Yahoo). The travel server 130
functions as a data repository that stores travel data describing
one or more travel options. In certain example embodiments, the
travel server 130 is operated by a third-party travel service
(e.g., a travel agency, an airline, or a hotel management
company).
[0018] Also shown in FIG. 1 are users 142 and 152. One or both of
the users 142 and 152 may be a human user (e.g., a human being), a
machine user (e.g., a software program configured to interact with
the user device 140), or any suitable combination thereof (e.g., a
human assisted by a machine or a machine supervised by human). The
user 142 is not part of the network environment 100, but is
associated with the user device 140 and may be a user of the user
device 140. For example, the user device 140 may be a deskside
computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone belonging to the user
142. Similarly, the user 152 is not part of the network environment
100, but is associated with the user device 150. As an example, the
user device 150 may be a tablet computer belonging to the user
152.
[0019] Any of the machines, databases, or devices shown in FIG. 1
may be implemented in a general-purpose computer modified (e.g.,
configured or programmed) by software to be a special-purpose
computer to perform the functions described herein for that
machine. For example, a computer system able to implement any one
or more of the methodologies described herein is discussed below
with respect to FIG. 10. As used herein, a "database" is a data
storage resource and may store data structured as a text file, a
table, a spreadsheet, a relational database, a triple store, a
key-value store, or any suitable combination thereof. Moreover, any
two or more of the machines illustrated in FIG. 1 may be combined
into a single machine, and the functions described herein for any
single machine may be subdivided among multiple machines.
[0020] The network 190 may be any network that enables
communication between machines (e.g., suggestion machine 110 and
the user device 140). Accordingly, the network 190 may be a wired
network, a wireless network (e.g., a mobile network), or any
suitable combination thereof. The network 190 may include one or
more portions that constitute a private network, a public network
(e.g., the Internet), or any suitable combination thereof.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of the
suggestion machine 110, according to some example embodiments. The
suggestion machine 110 includes an access module 210, an analysis
module 220, a suggestion module 230, a buffer module 240, a cost
module 250, and a sort module 260, all configured to communicate
with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or a switch). Any
one or more of the modules described herein may be implemented
using hardware (e.g., a processor of a machine) or a combination of
hardware and software. Moreover, any two or more of these modules
may be combined into a single module, and the functions described
herein for a single module may be subdivided among multiple
modules.
[0022] The access module 210 is configured to access calendar data
of a user (e.g., a traveler, a potential traveler, a consumer of
travel options, or a potential consumer of travel options). The
access module 210 may access the calendar data from the calendar
server 120. In some example embodiments, the suggestion machine 110
stores the calendar data, and the access module 210 accesses the
calendar data from the suggestion machine 110. The calendar data
includes information describing one or more events in the calendar
of the user (e.g., scheduled for the user). Accordingly, the
calendar data indicates a period of time (e.g., first period of
time) during which the user is scheduled to participate in (e.g.,
attend) an event. For example, the calendar data may indicate that
the user 142 is scheduled to attend a business meeting in New York
on Monday, September 5, from 10 AM to 12 PM Eastern Time.
[0023] The access module 210 is further configured to access travel
data. The access module 210 may access the travel data from the
travel server 130. In some example embodiments, the suggestion
machine 110 stores the travel data, and the access module 210
accesses the travel data from the suggestion machine 110. The
travel data includes information describing one or more travel
options available for selection by the user (e.g., transportation
options or accommodation options). Accordingly, the travel data
indicates a period of time (e.g., a second period of time) during
which a travel option (e.g., among multiple travel options) is
scheduled to occur. For example, the travel data may indicate that
a transportation option (e.g., an airline flight) is scheduled to
leave San Francisco at 10:30 PM Pacific Time and arrive in New York
City at 7 AM Eastern Time the following day.
[0024] According to some example embodiments, the access module 210
is also configured to access additional data. The additional data
may include weather data (e.g., information on storms or delays due
to weather), traffic data (e.g., information on delays or closures
due to accidents, road construction, or heavy traffic), passenger
screening data (e.g., information on average wait time, delays, or
inconveniences due to security screening of passengers), user
preferences (e.g., user-submitted information or information
observed from a user's behavior in one or more membership
organizations, subscriptions, or websites), or any suitable
combination thereof. Further examples of additional data include
government notices (e.g., warnings of risks for bad weather,
natural disasters, war, riots, crime, or terrorism issued by a
government agency or official). The user preferences may include
information (e.g., submitted by the user or observed from the
user's behavior) on desired or undesired carriers, hotels,
services, amenities, costs, numbers of stops, locations of stops,
preparation time for meetings, or layover durations. Examples of
the additional data may take the form of historical data (e.g.,
heavy traffic on Thanksgiving weekend for the past 10 years),
real-time data (e.g., an accident report), forecast data (e.g.,
weather forecasts predicting thunderstorms that would delay
flights, or economic forecasts predicting a high chance of
revolution in a country), or any suitable combination thereof. The
access module 210 may access the additional data from the
suggestion machine 110, the calendar server 120, the travel server
130, one or more additional servers connected to the network 190
(e.g., operated by one or more third parties), or any suitable
combination thereof. For example, the additional data may indicate
that the period of time (e.g., the second period of time) scheduled
for the travel option is likely to be lengthened by 60 minutes due
to a combination of delays stemming from bad weather, bad traffic,
and large crowds going through airport security in San Francisco
(e.g., as predicted from historical data, real-time data, forecast
data, or any suitable combination thereof). As another example, the
additional data may indicate that the user 142 prefers nonstop
flights costing under $500 and that layovers be longer than 30
minutes but no longer than 90 minutes.
[0025] The analysis module 220 is configured to analyze the
calendar data and the travel data (e.g., accessed by the access
module 210) and determine a set of one or more travel options that
are compatible with the one or more events described in the
calendar data. The analysis module 220 may make the determination
that a travel option is compatible with an event of the user 142
based on the period of time (e.g., the first period of time) for
the event, on the period of time (e.g., the second period of time)
for the travel option, or on both. For example, the analysis module
220 may determine that the airline flight scheduled to leave San
Francisco at 10:30 PM Pacific Time and arrive in New York City at 7
AM Eastern Time the following day is compatible with the business
meeting in New York on Monday, September 5, from 10 AM to 12 PM
Eastern Time.
[0026] The suggestion module 230 is configured to present one or
more travel options determined (e.g., by the analysis module 220)
as being compatible with one or more events of the user 142. For
example, the suggestion module 230 may present the airline flight
scheduled to leave San Francisco at 10:30 PM Pacific Time and
arrive in New York City at 7 AM Eastern Time the following day as
being compatible with the business meeting in New York on Monday,
September 5, from 10 AM to 12 PM Eastern Time. According to various
example embodiments, the suggestion module 230 presents the travel
option to the user 142 (e.g., via the user device 140), to a friend
of the user 142 (e.g., to the user 152 via the user device 150), to
an assistant of the user 142 (e.g., to the user 152 by the user
device 150), to another participant in the event of the user 142
(e.g., to the user 152 by the user device 150), or any suitable
combination thereof. The suggestion module 230 may present the
travel option by displaying or causing the display of a webpage
(e.g., of a travel option search service), a notification (e.g., a
pop up window), a message (e.g., an email message, instant message,
or a text message), or any suitable combination thereof. In some
example embodiments, the suggestion module 230 presents the travel
option in a communication directed at the user 142, in a
communication addressed to the user device 140, or both. Such a
communication may present the travel option among multiple travel
options (e.g., for consideration by the user 142).
[0027] The buffer module 240 is configured to determine a threshold
period of time for comparison to a period of time (e.g., a third
period of time) by which the period of time for the event (e.g.,
the first period of time) is separated from the period of time for
a travel option (e.g., the second period of time). For example, the
threshold period of time may be a minimum period of time (e.g., a
minimum buffer time) or a maximum period of time (e.g., a maximum
buffer time). Accordingly, the threshold period of time may
represent a minimum or maximum buffer time between the event and
the travel option. As used herein, a "buffer time" is a period of
time between the period of time for an event and the period of time
for a travel option, between the periods of time for two travel
options, between the periods of time for two events, or between a
period of time between two portions of a single travel option
(e.g., a layover between two legs of a journey). For example, an
airline flight that arrives in New York City at 7 AM Eastern Time
the following day may arrive three hours prior to a business
meeting scheduled in New York City on that day at 10 AM Eastern
Time. Compared to a minimum buffer time of two hours, such a
three-hour buffer time is compatible with this minimum buffer time.
The buffer module 240 is also configured to determine that the
period of time (e.g., the third period of time) by which the period
of time for the event (e.g., the first period of time) is separated
from the period of time for the travel option (e.g., the second
period of time) transgresses the threshold period of time (e.g.,
the minimum or maximum period of time). For example, the buffer
module 240 may determine that the buffer time exceeds a maximum
buffer time or falls below a minimum buffer time. The analysis
module 220 may determine that the travel option is compatible with
the event based on this determination by the buffer module 240.
According to various example embodiments, the buffer module 240 may
determine the threshold period of time based on a location of the
event (e.g., as indicated by the calendar data accessed by the
access module 210), on the additional data (e.g., accessed by the
access module 210), or any suitable combination thereof.
[0028] The cost module 250 is configured to determine that a travel
option is less expensive (e.g., monetarily) than another travel
option (e.g., a further travel option) among multiple travel
options (e.g., as indicated by the travel data accessed by the
access module 210). In some example embodiments, the cost module
250 is configured to determine that the travel option has a fewer
number of stops than another travel option (e.g., the further
travel option) among the multiple travel options. In this manner,
the cost module 250 may rank any number of travel options by
monetary expense (e.g., price), number of stops, or any suitable
combination thereof (e.g., an "agony" score calculated from price,
number of stops, total duration of a transportation option,
etc.).
[0029] The sort module 260 is configured to generate a presentation
of one or more travel options for presentation by the suggestion
module 230. The sort module 260 may generate the presentation based
on one or more determinations performed by the cost module 250
(e.g., one or more ranked travel options). According to various
example embodiments, the sort module 260 generates the presentation
based on the calendar data (e.g., a list of attendees for an
event), the travel data (e.g., a list of amenities at an
accommodation near the event), or any suitable combination thereof.
For example, if the calendar data indicates that the user 142 is
attending an event with his two children, the sort module 260 may
elevate or otherwise visually highlight a stay at kid-friendly
hotel with free video games and a highly rated swimming pool. As
another example, if the calendar data indicates that the user 142
is attending an event with wealthy business clients, the sort
module 260 may elevate or otherwise visually highlight a stay at a
high-end luxury hotel with sophisticated conference facilities. As
a further example, if the calendar data indicates that the user 142
is attending an event with his wife near their wedding anniversary
date, the sort module 260 may elevate or otherwise visually
highlight a stay at a romantic bed-and-breakfast inn near the
event.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating calendar data 300
(e.g., as accessed by the access module 210), according to some
example embodiments. The calendar data 300 includes information
describing one or more events. As shown, event data 310 describes
an event (e.g., a phone call, a business meeting, a multi-day
conference, or a week-long vacation). Similarly, event data 330,
340, and 350 describe additional events (e.g., each event having
its own location). The calendar data 300 may be limited to events
of a single user (e.g., user 142). In some example embodiments, the
calendar data 300 includes events for multiple users (e.g., user
142 and user 152). According to various example embodiments, one or
more of the following data structures may be omitted.
[0031] The event data 310 includes a name 311 of an event (e.g., a
title), a creator 312 of the event (e.g., the user 142 or an
assistant thereof), a subject 313 of the event (e.g., a description
or note), and a location 314 of the event (e.g., room number, floor
number, venue name, address, city, state, country, cross streets,
or global positioning system (GPS) coordinates). The event data 310
also includes a period of time 315 for the event. The period of
time 315 includes a start time 316 (e.g., 10 AM), an end time 317
(e.g., 12 PM), a duration 318 (e.g., two hours), and a time zone
319 (e.g., Eastern Time). In some example embodiments, the period
of time 250 includes multiple time zones (e.g., time zone 319).
According to various example embodiments, the event data 310
includes a nonphysical flag 320 (e.g., indicating that the event is
a virtual or online event), an accepted flag 321 (e.g., indicating
that the event has been accepted into the calendar of the user
142), a tentative flag 322 (e.g., indicating that the event is
tentatively scheduled for the user 142), and a busy/available flag
323 (e.g., indicating whether the user 142 is busy or available for
additional events during the period of time 315). Moreover, in some
example embodiments, the event data 310 includes information on one
or more additional attendees. As shown, the event data 310 includes
an "other" attendee 324 of the event (e.g., a name of another
attendee) and a status 325 of the other attendee (e.g., whether the
other attendee 324 is scheduled to attend the event). In various
example embodiments, the other attendee 324 is a friend, family
member, coworker, colleague, or a client of the user 142 (e.g.,
user 152). In certain example embodiments, multiple "other"
attendees are specified in the event data 310. Each of the event
data 330, 340, and 350 may include information similar to that
described for the event data 310.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating travel data 400,
according to some example embodiments. The travel data 400 includes
information describing one or more travel options. According to
various example embodiments, the travel data 400 may include
transportation data 410, accommodation data 420, or both. According
to various example embodiments, one or more of the following data
structures may be omitted.
[0033] The transportation data 410 includes information describing
one or more transportation options. As shown, transportation option
data 412 describes a transportation option (e.g., an airline
flight). For example, the transportation option data 412 may
include flight information referencing an airline flight, schedule
information for a transportation service that corresponds to a
particular vehicle (e.g., bus, trolley, ferry, taxicab, car rental,
or ship), or any suitable combination thereof. Similarly,
transportation option data 414, 416, and 418 describe additional
transportation options. The transportation data 410 may be limited
to transportation options available from a single transportation
service (e.g., a single airline). In some example embodiments, the
transportation data 410 includes transportation options available
from multiple transportation services (e.g., multiple airlines,
operators, car rental companies, and bus operators).
[0034] The accommodation data 420 includes information describing
one or more accommodation options. As shown, accommodation option
data 422 describes an accommodation option (e.g., a hotel stay).
Similarly, accommodation option data 424, 426, and 428 describe
additional accommodation options. The accommodation data 420 may be
limited to accommodation options available from a single
accommodation provider (e.g., a single hotel). In some example
embodiments, the accommodation data 420 includes accommodation
options available from multiple accommodation providers (e.g.,
multiple hotels, hotel chains, motels, bed-and-breakfast inns, and
campgrounds).
[0035] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the transportation
option data 412, according to some example embodiments. The
transportation option data 412 is discussed as being representative
of the transportation option data 414, 416, and 418. According to
various example embodiments, one or more of the following data
structures may be omitted.
[0036] The transportation option data 412 includes an identifier
510 of a transportation option (e.g., a flight number for an
airline flight) and a carrier 520 for the transportation option
(e.g., an airline name). The carrier 520 may be a name of a
transportation service or provider thereof (e.g., Delta Air
Lines.RTM. or Carnival Cruises.RTM.). In some example embodiments,
the carrier 520 may be "walk" or some other indication that
selection of this transportation option would schedule the user 142
to transport himself. The transportation option data 412 includes a
departure location 530 (e.g., a departure city, airport, train
station, bus stop, address, venue, or accommodation). Also included
in the transportation option data 412 is an arrival location 540
(e.g., an arrival city, airport, train station, bus stop, address,
venue, or accommodation). The transportation option data 412
includes a period of time 550 for the transportation option. The
period of time 550 includes a start time 551 (e.g., 10:30 PM), a
time zone 552 for the start time 551 (e.g., Pacific Time), and end
time 553 (e.g., 7 AM), a time zone 554 for the end time 553 (e.g.,
Eastern Time), a duration 555 (e.g., five hours and thirty
minutes), and layover information 556 and 557. The layover
information 556 may describe a scheduled stop within the
transportation option. In particular, a layover time may be
described in the layover information 556 (e.g., a thirty minute
layover in Atlanta at 6 AM Eastern Time). The layover information
557 may describe another scheduled stop and its corresponding
layover time. Moreover, in some example embodiments, the
transportation option data 412 includes a price 560 of the
transportation option (e.g., $317) and a service level 570 of the
transportation option (e.g., an airline class of service).
[0037] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating accommodation option
data 422, according to some example embodiments. The accommodation
option data 422 is discussed as being representative of the
accommodation option data 424, 426, and 428. According to various
example embodiments, one or more of the following data structures
may be omitted.
[0038] The accommodation option data 422 includes a provider 610 of
the accommodation option (e.g., a name of a particular hotel), a
location 620 of the accommodation option (e.g., address, city,
state, country, cross streets, or GPS coordinates), an
accommodation type 630 of the accommodation option (e.g., style of
room or permissibility of smoking), and a service level 640 of the
accommodation option (e.g., whether any special deals, perks,
benefits, or loyalty rewards apply). The accommodation option data
422 includes a period of time 650 for the accommodation option. The
period of time 650 includes a start time 656 (e.g., a check-in date
or a check-in time on a date of arrival), an end time 657 (e.g., a
check-out date or a check-out time on a date of departure), a
duration 658 (e.g., five days, four nights), and a time zone 659 of
the accommodation option (e.g., Eastern Time). Moreover, in some
example embodiments, the accommodation option data 422 may include
a price 660 (e.g., a rate per night) and a cost 670 (e.g., a total
cost for the full stay).
[0039] FIG. 7-9 are flowcharts illustrating operations in a method
700 of presenting a travel option (e.g., as described by
transportation option data 412 or accommodation option data 422),
according to some example embodiments. Operations in the method 700
may be performed by the suggestion machine 110, using modules
described above with respect to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the
method 700 includes operations 710, 720, 730, and 740.
[0040] In operation 710, the access module 210 accesses the
calendar data 300 (e.g., from the calendar server 120). The
calendar data 300 may be specific to the user 142. Moreover, the
calendar data 300 may indicate the period of time 315 (e.g., a
first period of time) during which the user 142 is scheduled to
participate in an event (e.g., a business meeting). In some example
embodiments, operation 710 is performed by invoking an application
programming interface (API) (e.g., a public API) provided by a
third-party calendar service (e.g., Google.RTM.) to access the
calendar data 300. For example, the API may be invoked in response
to the user 142 providing log in credentials (e.g., username and
password) to identify or authenticate himself to the suggestion
machine 110, to the calendar server 120, to the travel server 130,
or any suitable combination thereof. In certain example
embodiments, operation 710 is performed by receiving the calendar
data 300 from the calendar server 120. As an example, the calendar
data 300 may be received from the calendar server 120 in response
to a request submitted by the user 142 to the calendar server 120.
As another example, the calendar data 300 may be received from the
calendar server 120 as part of a data feed (e.g., a periodic or
repeating download) arranged or authorized by the user 142.
According to various example embodiments, operation 710 is
performed in response to a query submitted by the user 142 (e.g.,
via the user device 140). For example, the user 142 may query the
name of a city (e.g., San Francisco or New York City), and the
access module 210 may access the calendar data 300 in response to
the submission of the query (e.g., as detected by the suggestion
machine 110, the calendar server 120, the travel server 130, or any
suitable combination thereof).
[0041] In operation 720, the access module 210 accesses travel data
400 (e.g., from the travel server 130). The travel data 400 may
indicate multiple travel options available for selection by the
user 142. Moreover, the travel data 400 indicates a period of time
(e.g., period of time 550 or period of time 650) during which a
travel option is scheduled to occur. In some example embodiments,
the travel data 400 may indicate the period of time 550 (e.g., a
second period of time) during which the transportation option that
corresponds to the transportation option data 412 is scheduled to
occur. In certain example embodiments, the travel data 400 may
indicate the period of time 650 (e.g., the second period of time)
during which the accommodation option that corresponds to the
accommodation option data 422 is scheduled to occur. According to
various example embodiments, operation 720 is performed in response
to a query submitted by the user 142 (e.g., via the user device
140). For example, the user 142 may query the name of a city (e.g.,
San Francisco or New York City), and the access module 210 may
access the travel data 400 in response to the submission of the
query (e.g., as detected by the suggestion machine 110, the
calendar server 120, the travel server 130, or any suitable
combination thereof).
[0042] In operation 730, the analysis module 220 determines that
the travel option is compatible with the event in which the user
142 is scheduled to participate. This determination may be based on
the period of time 315 (e.g., as indicated by the calendar data
300), on the period of time during which the travel option is
scheduled to occur (e.g., period of time 550 or period of time
650), or both.
[0043] In some example embodiments, the travel option is a
transportation option (e.g., among multiple transportation
options), and operation 730 includes determining that no portion of
the period of time during which the transportation option is
scheduled to occur coincides with any portion of the period of time
315 during which the user 142 is the scheduled to participate in
the event. In other words, the determination that the travel option
is compatible with the event may be based on there being no overlap
between the period of time 315 and the period of time 550.
[0044] In certain example embodiments, the analysis module 220
determines that the travel option is compatible with the event
based on the location 314 of the event. Moreover, the location 314
may be indicated as a nonphysical location (e.g., by the
nonphysical flag 320). For example, the event may be a scheduled
phone call, teleconference, or online chat session, and the
location 314 of the event may be indicated as being "virtual" or
"online." Since the user 142 may be able to participate in an event
at a nonphysical location while using a particular travel option,
the analysis module 220 may determine that the particular travel
option is compatible with such an event, despite the period of time
315 for the event coinciding, at least in part, with the period of
time corresponding to the particular travel option (e.g., period of
time 550 or period of time 650). This determination may be based on
the location of the event being nonphysical (e.g., as indicated by
the nonphysical flag 320). For example, the user 142 may
participate in a scheduled phone call while traveling on a
train.
[0045] In various example embodiments, the analysis module 220
determines that the travel option is compatible with the event
based on a layover time (e.g., a third period of time) encompassing
the period of time 315 for an event (e.g., a first period of time).
For example, if an event (e.g., a phone call) is a nonphysical
event (e.g., as indicated by the nonphysical flag 320) scheduled to
occur during the layover time (e.g., between airline flights), the
user 142 may be able to participate in the event while using the
travel option. Accordingly, the analysis module 220 may determine
that the travel option is compatible with the event based on the
layover time, the nonphysical flag 320, or both.
[0046] In operation 740, the suggestion module 230 presents the
travel option that is determined to be compatible with the event.
For example, the suggestion module 230 may present the travel
option as a suggestion, as a reminder, or both. Moreover, the
suggestion module 230 may present the travel option to the user 142
(e.g., via the user device 140). According to some example
embodiments, the suggestion module 230 presents the travel option
to the user 152 (e.g., via the user device 150), where the user 152
may be related to the user 142 (e.g., an assistant, friend, family
member, colleague, client, or a fellow event attendee). The travel
option may be presented by displaying or causing the display of a
webpage (e.g., of a travel option search service), a notification
(e.g., a pop up window), a message (e.g., an email message, instant
message, or a text message). Further details of the method 700 are
discussed below with respect to FIG. 8-9.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, various example embodiments of the
method 700 may include one or more of operations 802, 804, 808,
810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, and 890. One or both of
operations 802 and 804 may be performed as part (e.g., a precursor
task, a subroutine, or a portion) of operation 720. Similarly, one
or more of operations 820-890 may be performed as part of operation
730.
[0048] In operation 802, the access module 210 accesses the
transportation data 410, which is described above with respect to
FIG. 4. For example, the access module 210 may access the
transportation data 410 from the travel server 130. In operation
804, the access module 210 accesses the accommodation data 420,
which is also described above with respect to FIG. 4. As an
example, the access module 210 may access the accommodation data
420 from the travel server 130.
[0049] In operation 808, the access module 210 accesses additional
data (e.g., as described above with respect to FIG. 2). According
to various example embodiments, the additional data may include
weather data (e.g., information on storms or delays due to
weather), traffic data (e.g., information on accidents or delays
due to traffic), passenger screening data (e.g., information on
average wait time, delays, or problems due to security screening of
passengers), user preferences (e.g., information submitted by, or
observed from the behavior of, the user 142), government notices
(e.g., warnings), or any suitable combination thereof. In example
embodiments that include operation 808, the analysis module 220 may
perform operation 730 based on at least some of the additional
data.
[0050] In operation 810, the buffer module 240 determines a
threshold period of time (e.g., as described above with respect to
FIG. 2). The threshold period of time may be determined based on
the data accessed by the access module 210 (e.g., the additional
data discussed above with respect to operation 808). For example,
the buffer module 240 may determine the threshold period of time
based on the location 314 of an event (e.g., as stored in the
calendar data 300). As another example, the threshold period of
time may be determined based on the additional data accessed in
operation 808.
[0051] In operation 820, the analysis module 220 determines (e.g.,
as part of operation 730) that a buffer time transgresses a
threshold period of time (e.g., as determined in operation 810). In
some example embodiments, the analysis module 220 determines that
the period of time 315 for an event (e.g., a first period of time)
is separated from the period of time 550 for a transportation
option (e.g., a second period of time) by a buffer time. In certain
example embodiments, the analysis module 220 determines that the
period of time 315 for the event is separated from the period of
time 650 for an accommodation option (e.g., the second period of
time) by the buffer time. Having determined the buffer time, the
analysis module 220 may determine that the buffer time transgresses
the threshold period of time determined in operation 810. This may
have the effect of determining that a travel option is compatible
with an event on the basis of the buffer time being greater than a
minimum buffer time, less than a maximum buffer time, or any
suitable combination thereof.
[0052] In operation 860, the analysis module 220 determines that
the period of time 315 for an event (e.g., the first period of
time) falls within the period of time 650 for an accommodation
option (e.g., the second period of time), according to some example
embodiments. This may have the effect of determining that an event
(e.g., a physical event) is scheduled to start and ended during an
accommodation option. For example, a vacation to Hawaii may be
indicated as a physical event (e.g., by absence of the nonphysical
flag 320), and the analysis module 220 may determine that an
accommodation option (e.g., a hotel stay) is compatible with the
vacation, based on the period of time for the vacation (e.g.,
period of time 315) falling within a period of time for the
accommodation option (e.g., period of time 650). In certain example
embodiments, the analysis module 220 determines that the period of
time 315 falls within the period of time 550 for a transportation
option (e.g., the second period of time). This may have the effect
of determining that an event (e.g., a nonphysical event) is
scheduled to start and end during a transportation option. As an
example, a scheduled teleconference may be indicated as a
nonphysical event (e.g., by the nonphysical flag 320), and the
analysis module 220 may determine that a transportation option
(e.g., a train ride) is compatible with the scheduled
teleconference, based on the period of time for the teleconference
(e.g., period of time 315) falling within a period of time for the
transportation option (e.g., period of time 550).
[0053] According to various example embodiments, the calendar data
300 includes locations (e.g., location 314) of multiple events
(e.g., event data 310, 330, 340, and 350). For example, the user
142 may be scheduled to attend multiple business meetings during a
single business trip. The calendar data 300 may indicate a sequence
of multiple events (e.g., including the event corresponding to the
event data 310). Moreover, the sequence of multiple events may
include an initial (e.g., first) event at an initial (e.g., first)
location, as well as a final (e.g., last) event at a final (e.g.,
last) location. By performing one or more of operations 830, 840,
850, 870, 880, and 890, the analysis module 220 may base the
determination performed in operation 730 on one or more locations
of these events, a location corresponding to a particular travel
option, or any suitable combination thereof. In some example
embodiments, the analysis module 220 may base the determination
performed in operation 730 on one or more distances (e.g.,
calculated, received, accessed, or looked up from a table) from the
location corresponding to a particular travel option.
[0054] In operation 830, the analysis module 220 calculates a
centroid of multiple event locations (e.g., location 314) and
determines that the centroid is within a threshold distance of a
location for a transportation option (e.g., an airline flight). For
example, the analysis module 220 may determine that the centroid is
within a threshold distance of the departure location 530, the
arrival location 540, or both. This may have the effect of
determining that the transportation option is conveniently located
with respect to the multiple event locations. In some example
embodiments, a particular event location is used for more than one
event among multiple events, and the calculation of the centroid
may accord greater weight to this particular event location.
[0055] In operation 870, the analysis module 220 calculates a
centroid of multiple event locations (e.g., location 314) and
determines that a centroid is within a threshold distance of a
location for an accommodation option (e.g., a hotel stay). For
example, the analysis module 220 may determine that the centroid is
within a threshold distance of the location 620 (e.g., of a hotel).
This may have the effect of determining that the accommodation
option is conveniently located with respect to the multiple event
locations.
[0056] In operation 840, the analysis module 220 determines that
the arrival location 540 of a transportation option is within a
threshold distance of an initial location (e.g., location 314)
among multiple event locations. This may have the effect of
determining that the transportation option provides the user 142
with convenient access to the initial event after using the
transportation option.
[0057] In operation 850, the analysis module 220 determines that
the departure location 530 of a transportation option is within a
threshold distance of a final location (e.g., location 314) among
multiple event locations. This may have the effect of determining
that the transportation option provides the user 142 with
convenient access to the transportation option after the final
event in a sequence of multiple events.
[0058] In operation 880, the analysis module 220 determines that an
initial location (e.g., location 314) among multiple event
locations is within a threshold distance of the location 620 of an
accommodation option. This may have the effect of determining that
the accommodation option provides the user 142 with convenient
access to the initial event from the accommodation option.
[0059] In operation 890, the analysis module 220 determines that a
final location (e.g., location 314) among multiple event locations
is within a threshold distance of the location 620 of an
accommodation option. This may have the effect of determining that
the accommodation option provides the user 142 with convenient
access to the accommodation option from the final event.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 9, various example embodiments of the
method 700 may include one or more of operations 910, 920, 930,
940, 950, 960, 970, 972, 974, 980, and 982. One or more of
operations 940-982 may be performed as part (e.g., a precursor
task, a subroutine, or a portion) of operation 740.
[0061] In operation 910, the cost module 250 determines that a
particular travel option (e.g., corresponding to transportation
option data 412 or accommodation option data 422) is less expensive
than another compatible travel option (e.g., corresponding to
transportation option data 414 or accommodation option data 424).
This may have the effect of enabling the cost module 250 to rank
travel options by monetary expense (e.g., price or cost).
[0062] In operation 920, the cost module 250 determines that a
particular travel option (e.g., corresponding to transportation
option data 412) has fewer stops than another compatible travel
option (e.g., corresponding to transportation option data 414).
This may have the effect of enabling the cost module to rank travel
options by number of stops.
[0063] In operation 930, the cost module 250 determines a rank of a
travel option (e.g., corresponding to transportation option data
412 or accommodation option data 422). The cost module 250 may
determine ranks for multiple travel options. The rank of a
particular travel option may be determined based on the location
314 of an event, a location corresponding to the particular travel
option (e.g., departure location 530, arrival location 540, or
location 620 of an accommodation option), or any suitable
combination thereof. Moreover, the rank of the particular travel
option may be determined based on monetary expense (e.g., as
described above with respect to operation 910). Furthermore, the
rank of the particular travel option may be determined based on a
number of stops (e.g., as described above with respect to operation
920). This may have the effect of enabling the sort module 260 to
generate the presentation of one or more travel options based on
one or more ranks determined in operation 930, which in turn may
enable the suggestion module 230 to present the presentation
generated by the sort module 260.
[0064] In operation 940, the suggestion module 230 presents a
travel option (e.g., as determined in operation 730 to be
compatible with the event) based on a rank of the travel option.
For example, the travel option may be presented in a list of
compatible travel options, where the list is sorted by rank.
[0065] In operation 950, the suggestion module 230 presents the
travel option by presenting a suggestion that the user 142 perform
a search for one or more similar travel options among multiple
travel options. For example, the travel option determined in
operation 730 may be presented with a message stating, "Click here
to search for flights like this for your upcoming business
trip!"
[0066] In operation 960, the suggestion module 230 presents the
travel option by presenting a suggestion that the user 142 select
(e.g., buy, reserve, or book) the travel option. For example, the
travel option determined in operation 730 may be presented with a
message stating, "This hotel stay fits your business trip. Click
here to reserve it now!"
[0067] In operation 970, the suggestion module 230 presents the
travel option by presenting a reminder that the event is scheduled
to occur during the period of time 315 for the event. According to
various example embodiments, one or more of operations 972 and 974
may be performed as part (e.g., a precursor task, a subroutine, or
a portion) of operation 970. In operation 972, the reminder is
communicated to the user device 140 (e.g., for the user 142). For
example, the travel option determined in operation 730 may be
presented with a message stating, "Your business trip to New York
is coming up on September 5. Better get a flight soon!"
Communications to the user device 140 may be addressed to the user
device 140, to the user 142, or to both. In operation 974, the
reminder is communicated to the user device 150 (e.g., for the user
152, who may be an assistant of the user 142, a friend of the user
142, a family member of the user 142, a colleague of the user 142,
a client of the user 142, or another attendee of the event). As an
example, the travel option determined in operation 730 may be
presented with a message stating, "John's business trip to New York
is coming up on September 5, but he hasn't booked a flight yet."
Communications to the user device 150 may be addressed to the user
device 150, to the user 152, or to both. According to some example
embodiments, the travel option may be presented with a map (e.g., a
geographical map of a city) that depicts one or more locations of
events, travel options, or any suitable combination thereof (e.g.,
as pins or markers within the map).
[0068] In operation 980, the suggestion module 230 presents a
calendar (e.g., showing one or more months) with a representation
of the period of time 315 for an event (e.g., a representation of a
first period of time) and a representation of the period of time
corresponding to the travel option determined in operation 730
(e.g., a representation of a second period of time). For example,
the calendar may include representations of the period of time 315
and of the period of time 550 for a transportation option. As
another example, the calendar may include representations of the
period of time 315 and of the period of time 650 for an
accommodation option. This may have the effect of indicating (e.g.,
to the user 142) that there is no conflict between the event and
the travel option determined in operation 730. In some example
embodiments, the calendar indicates one or more periods of time as
blocks (e.g., rectangular shapes) within a chart or grid, and a
particular block may indicate that a corresponding period of time
is available or unavailable for scheduling a travel option.
Moreover, the calendar may indicate a previously selected travel
option (e.g., as suggested by the method 700) as a previously
scheduled event within the calendar (e.g., a tentatively scheduled
event).
[0069] According to various example embodiments, operation 982 may
be performed as part (e.g., a precursor task, a subroutine, or a
portion) of operation 980. In operation 982, the suggestion module
230 presents the calendar with a representation of a further period
of time (e.g., a representation of a third period of time) that is
adjacent to the period of time 315 for the event (e.g., the first
period of time). For example, the calendar may include
representations of one or more dates before or after the period of
time 315 for the event. In some example embodiments, the
representations of the one or more dates include indicators of
additional travel options determined to be compatible with the
event. This may have the effect of presenting (e.g., to the user
142 or to the user 152) travel options that extend beyond the
period of time 315 of an event. According to certain example
embodiments, this may enable the user 142 to make travel plans that
accommodate an additional event unrepresented in the calendar data
300. In some example embodiments, this may enable the presentation
of one or more additional travel options that are ranked more
favorably than the travel option determined in operation 730 (e.g.,
lower cost, fewer stops, more loyalty points, or other special
deal).
[0070] According to various example embodiments, one or more of the
methodologies described herein may facilitate communication of
information about one or more travel options. In particular, one or
more of the methodologies described herein may constitute all or
part of a business method (e.g., a business method implemented
using a machine) that presents one or more users with available
travel options determined to be compatible with one or more events.
Moreover, presentation of such travel options may be conveniently
integrated with calendar information, which may facilitate the
making of travel plans.
[0071] When these effects are considered in aggregate, one or more
of the methodologies described herein may obviate a need for
certain efforts or resources that otherwise would be involved in
matching users (e.g., as potential consumers of travel options)
with travel options that are likely to be of interest to those
users. Efforts expended by a user in identifying a travel option
may be reduced by one or more of the methodologies described
herein. Computing resources used by one or more machines,
databases, or devices (e.g., within the network environment 100)
may similarly be reduced. Examples of such computing resources
include processor cycles, network traffic, memory usage, data
storage capacity, power consumption, and cooling capacity.
[0072] FIG. 10 illustrates components of a machine 1000, according
to some example embodiments, that is able to read instructions from
a machine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium)
and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a diagrammatic representation of the
machine 1000 in the example form of a computer system and within
which instructions 1024 (e.g., software) for causing the machine
1000 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed
herein may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine
1000 operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g.,
networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the
machine 1000 may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a
client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer
machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The
machine 1000 may be a server computer, a client computer, a
personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a
netbook, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
cellular telephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, a network
router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable
of executing the instructions 1024 (sequentially or otherwise) that
specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a
single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be
taken to include a collection of machines that individually or
jointly execute the instructions 1024 to perform any one or more of
the methodologies discussed herein.
[0073] The machine 1000 includes a processor 1002 (e.g., a central
processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital
signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), or any
suitable combination thereof), a main memory 1004, and a static
memory 1006, which are configured to communicate with each other
via a bus 1008. The machine 1000 may further include a graphics
display 1010 (e.g., a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal
display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The
machine 1000 may also include an alphanumeric input device 1012
(e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 1014 (e.g., a mouse, a
touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other
pointing instrument), a storage unit 1016, a signal generation
device 1018 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device
1020.
[0074] The storage unit 1016 includes a machine-readable medium
1022 on which is stored the instructions 1024 (e.g., software)
embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions
described herein. The instructions 1024 may also reside, completely
or at least partially, within the main memory 1004, within the
processor 1002 (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or
both, during execution thereof by the machine 1000. Accordingly,
the main memory 1004 and the processor 1002 may be considered as
machine-readable media. The instructions 1024 may be transmitted or
received over a network 1026 (e.g., network 190) via the network
interface device 1020.
[0075] As used herein, the term "memory" refers to a
machine-readable medium able to store data temporarily or
permanently and may be taken to include, but not be limited to,
random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), buffer memory,
flash memory, and cache memory. While the machine-readable medium
1022 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the
term "machine-readable medium" should be taken to include a single
medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed
database, or associated caches and servers) able to store
instructions (e.g., instructions 1024). The term "machine-readable
medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable
of storing instructions (e.g., software) for execution by the
machine, such that the instructions, when executed by one or more
processors of the machine (e.g., processor 1002), cause the machine
to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein.
The term "machine-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to
include, but not be limited to, a data repository in the form of a
solid-state memory, an optical medium, a magnetic medium, or any
suitable combination thereof.
[0076] Throughout this specification, plural instances may
implement components, operations, or structures described as a
single instance. Although individual operations of one or more
methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one
or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently,
and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order
illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate
components in example configurations may be implemented as a
combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and
functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as
separate components. These and other variations, modifications,
additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject
matter herein.
[0077] Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic
or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may
constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on a
machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware
modules. A "hardware module" is a tangible unit capable of
performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in
a certain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or
more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client
computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more
hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group
of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application
or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to
perform certain operations as described herein.
[0078] In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented
mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof.
For example, a hardware module may include dedicated circuitry or
logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations.
For example, a hardware module may be a special-purpose processor,
such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A
hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitry
that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain
operations. For example, a hardware module may include software
encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other
programmable processor. It will be appreciated that the decision to
implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicated and
permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured
circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and
time considerations.
[0079] Accordingly, the term "hardware module" should be understood
to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is
physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired),
or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a
certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein.
As used herein, "hardware-implemented module" refers to a hardware
module. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are
temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware
modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance
in time. For example, where the hardware modules comprise a
general-purpose processor configured by software to become a
special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may be
configured as respectively different hardware modules at different
times. Software may accordingly configure a processor, for example,
to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance of time
and to constitute a different hardware module at a different
instance of time.
[0080] Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive
information from, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the
described hardware modules may be regarded as being communicatively
coupled. Where multiple hardware modules exist contemporaneously,
communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g.,
over appropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more
of the hardware modules. In embodiments in which multiple hardware
modules are configured or instantiated at different times,
communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, for
example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory
structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. For
example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store the
output of that operation in a memory device to which it is
communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a
later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the
stored output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications
with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g.,
a collection of information).
[0081] The various operations of example methods described herein
may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors
that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently
configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily
or permanently configured, such processors may constitute
processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more
operations or functions described herein. As used herein,
"processor-implemented module" refers to a hardware module
implemented using one or more processors.
[0082] Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least
partially processor-implemented, a processor being an example of
hardware. For example, at least some of the operations of a method
may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented
modules. Moreover, the one or more processors may also operate to
support performance of the relevant operations in a "cloud
computing" environment or as a "software as a service" (SaaS). For
example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a
group of computers (as examples of machines including processors),
with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the
Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an
application program interface (API)).
[0083] The performance of certain of the operations may be
distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing
within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines.
In some example embodiments, the one or more processors or
processor-implemented modules may be located in a single geographic
location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment,
or a server farm). In other example embodiments, the one or more
processors or processor-implemented modules may be distributed
across a number of geographic locations.
[0084] Some portions of this specification are presented in terms
of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data
stored as bits or binary digital signals within a machine memory
(e.g., a computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic
representations are examples of techniques used by those of
ordinary skill in the data processing arts to convey the substance
of their work to others skilled in the art. As used herein, an
"algorithm" is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar
processing leading to a desired result. In this context, algorithms
and operations involve physical manipulation of physical
quantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may
take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable
of being stored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or
otherwise manipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times,
principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals
using words such as "data," "content," "bits," "values,"
"elements," "symbols," "characters," "terms," "numbers,"
"numerals," or the like. These words, however, are merely
convenient labels and are to be associated with appropriate
physical quantities.
[0085] Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein
using words such as "processing," "computing," "calculating,"
"determining," "presenting," "displaying," or the like may refer to
actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer) that
manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g.,
electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more
memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or any
suitable combination thereof), registers, or other machine
components that receive, store, transmit, or display information.
Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "a" or
"an" are herein used, as is common in patent documents, to include
one or more than one instance. Finally, as used herein, the
conjunction "or" refers to a non-exclusive "or," unless
specifically stated otherwise.
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