Conditional Segment Creation for Flexible Shared Travel Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing travel scheduling systems lack flexibility, forcing users to choose from pre-scheduled segments that may not match their needs, limiting options and requiring users to be responsible for the entire segment.
Innovation Solution
A computing platform that allows clients to create conditional segments with specified attributes, enabling other clients to claim spots, converting the segment to a confirmed segment when a minimum number of spots are claimed before an expiration time, or canceling it if not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If segments are pre-scheduled by operators at particular times and locations, then scheduling reliability is improved, but scheduling flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic segment creation system where segments can be created on-demand by users rather than being fixed in advance. The system transitions from static operator-scheduled segments to dynamic user-initiated segments, allowing the scheduling system to adapt flexibly to changing travel needs while maintaining reliability through automated confirmation processes based on minimum spot thresholds.
2Device complexity
If users must select from pre-scheduled segments, then system complexity is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to independently create their own travel segments by specifying origin, destination, date, and other parameters. Instead of passively selecting from operator-defined options, users actively define their travel needs, and the system automatically manages the segment creation process including notifying potential travelers and converting conditional segments to confirmed segments when thresholds are met.
3Loss of information
If the system notifies clients of conditional segments in real-time, then information availability is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system automatically notifies clients of conditional segments in real-time and monitors spot claims. When a minimum number of spots are claimed, the system automatically converts the conditional segment to a confirmed segment and notifies relevant parties. This automated feedback loop ensures information availability while managing communication overhead through systematic threshold-based processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, that enable clients to create custom conditional segments on which other clients can claim a spot. In one aspect, a front-end server receives, over a data communication network and from an electronic device of a creator, one or more data packets that specify attributes of a segment created by the creator through a graphical interface presented at the electronic device. A back-end server detects, based on data received from the device, interaction with an interface control that designates the segment as a conditional segment and, in response obtains, from the device, an expiration time specifying how long the conditional segment is available to others. After obtaining the expiration time, clients are notified that the conditional segment is available and enabled to claim a spot on the conditional segment through a client-side application.