Dynamic Pricing Bands for Travel Rate Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional online travel services fail to provide accurate real-time pricing and availability information, and consumers face inefficiencies when comparing travel services due to the complexity of price variations and the need to navigate multiple web pages.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using dynamic pricing bands, which represent approximate rates through graphical and audio characteristics, allowing consumers to easily compare rates by subdividing the rate range into limited bands and displaying them in a calendar or map format, enabling a bird's-eye view of rate variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional online travel services present detailed price information, then consumers can compare travel services, but the complexity of price variations and multiple web pages make comparison inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous price range into discrete pricing bands (e.g., budget, moderate, premium categories). Each band represents a range of prices rather than individual price points, simplifying the information structure while preserving comparative value. This segmentation allows consumers to quickly understand price levels without being overwhelmed by detailed variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the one-dimensional price comparison (numerical values) into a two-dimensional visual representation using color-coded pricing bands displayed on calendar interfaces. Prices are represented as colored regions rather than numbers, adding a visual dimension that makes comparison intuitive and immediate without losing price information.
2Measurement precision
If conventional services display exact rates, then consumers have precise pricing information, but the dynamic nature of rates requires navigation through multiple web pages to compare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pieces of information (dates, prices, availability) into a single integrated calendar view. Instead of requiring separate web pages for different dates or services, the calendar displays all relevant pricing information simultaneously in one interface, eliminating navigation time while maintaining rate accuracy through the pricing band system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of dynamic rate data by categorizing prices into bands before display. This pre-processing organizes the complex rate information into manageable visual categories, allowing consumers to immediately grasp price comparisons without having to process raw numerical data or navigate multiple pages to find relevant information.
3Loss of information
If travel services present comprehensive rate data, then consumers can make informed decisions, but the complexity of price variations across time and providers makes comparison difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual properties (colors, intensities) to different pricing bands to encode price level information locally within the calendar interface. Each cell or region of the calendar has its own visual characteristics that immediately convey the price category, allowing consumers to understand local price variations without complex global comparisons or additional interface elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for presenting rates for travel services using dynamic pricing bands. The dynamic pricing bands represent approximate rates for travel services relative to available rates during or close to the proposed dates of travel, or at or near the proposed travel destination. Each dynamic pricing band is keyed to a particular color, intensity, pattern, sound, or other graphical and/or audio characteristic, thereby providing the consumer a sense of the seasonal, regional, day of week, or other variability of rates for travel services without having to compare actual numbers. The dynamic pricing bands are applied to an interactive presentation of rates for travel services to allow the consumer to explore possible rate variations for particular travel services in a manner that provides a birds-eye view, is intuitive and user-friendly.