Distance Points Interactive Interface for Travel Destination Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in redeeming distance-based points due to complex award miles charts and unclear restrictions, making it hard to select travel destinations and compare options, which reduces participation in points-based programs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine a person's connected distance points, scrape indexes from journey hosts to identify journey possibilities, generate reachable locations based on points and possibilities, and create a graphical interface to visually display these locations on a map, considering previous and future locations based on transactional data and personal attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex award miles charts and unclear restrictions are used to manage distance points, then the system can handle multiple journey possibilities, but consumers find it difficult to select travel destinations and compare options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex journey possibilities into individual location markers displayed on a map interface. Each reachable location is represented as a discrete visual element, allowing consumers to easily scan and compare options without being overwhelmed by complex charts. The system divides the vast number of possible journeys into manageable visual units that can be quickly evaluated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional lists or charts to a two-dimensional map interface. This dimensional change allows consumers to visually perceive geographic relationships, distances, and patterns that are impossible to detect in linear formats. The map provides spatial context that simplifies destination selection and comparison.
2Reliability
If traditional points-based programs are implemented, then distance points can be accumulated and redeemed, but consumer participation is reduced due to difficulty in ascertaining value and uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visualization layer between the points system and the consumer. The map interface acts as a mediator that translates abstract point values into concrete, visual destination options. This intermediary makes the value and uses of points immediately apparent, bridging the gap between the points system and consumer understanding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color coding to indicate different characteristics of reachable locations, such as distance, point cost, or destination type. This visual encoding allows consumers to quickly grasp the value and variety of redemption options without reading detailed restrictions, making the points system more transparent and engaging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of travel possibilities are provided, then consumers have more options, but they have to sort through many possibilities and find it difficult to compare potential opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large set of travel possibilities into individually marked locations on a map, each representing a distinct redemption option. This segmentation allows consumers to quickly scan and mentally filter options based on visual cues rather than reading through extensive text descriptions for each possibility.
Solution Approach 2:
By displaying options on a two-dimensional map rather than in a linear list, the patent enables parallel visual comparison of multiple destinations. Consumers can simultaneously evaluate geographic proximity, destination density, and relative positioning, dramatically reducing the time needed to compare opportunities.
4Loss of information
If detailed journey information is provided for each possibility, then consumers can make informed decisions, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential decision-making information (location, reachability, visual position) and presents it directly on the map interface. Detailed journey information is separated into secondary, on-demand elements that do not clutter the primary visualization. This extraction allows the main interface to remain simple while still providing comprehensive information when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes determining a number of distance points connected to a person at a point in time, scraping a plurality of indexes corresponding to a respective plurality of journey hosts to identify a plurality of journey possibilities for each journey host of the plurality of journey hosts, generating a plurality of reachable locations based on the number of distance points and the journey possibilities, the plurality of reachable locations comprising at least a subset of the plurality of journey possibilities correlated to the number of distance points, receiving location signals generated via a location sensor of a device associated with the person, identifying one or more previous locations of the device based on the location signals, identifying a subset of the reachable locations based on the previous locations of the device, and generating a graphical interface to visually display the subset of the reachable locations on a map.