Interactive Deck Plan System for Cruise Cabin Booking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cruise reservation systems lack interactivity, preventing users from simultaneously viewing available cabins on deck plans and making informed booking decisions, leading to frustration and lost revenues due to unavailable cabin choices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that apply complex geometry and character recognition processes to optical images of deck plans to create interactive plans, allowing users to select and book cabins dynamically, with features like proximity search and detailed cabin information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a static image-based deck plan is used, then the system is simple to implement and maintain, but the user experience lacks interactivity and users cannot simultaneously view available cabins and make informed booking decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an interactive copy of the deck plan by overlaying transparent layers containing cabin information onto the base image. This allows the static image to be transformed into an interactive interface without replacing the original simple structure, thus improving user experience while maintaining relative system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The deck plan image serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual orientation of the ship layout, displays available cabin locations, shows cabin categories through symbols, and enables direct booking interactions. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the single interface element do more work
2Productivity
If separate windows or tabs are used to display deck plans and booking information, then information can be displayed, but the user cannot simultaneously view both and must switch between them, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the deck plan visualization and booking information display into a single integrated interface. The transparent overlay technique allows cabin availability data, category symbols, and booking controls to be superimposed directly on the deck plan image, eliminating the need for separate windows or tabs and allowing users to view and interact with all information simultaneously
3Reliability
If manual updates of cabin availability are implemented, then the system can track bookings, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where booking transactions trigger immediate updates to the cabin availability database, which then automatically refreshes the transparent overlay layers on the deck plan. This closed-loop feedback system ensures data accuracy without manual intervention and eliminates time delays associated with manual updates
4Loss of information
If detailed cabin information is provided in text format, then complete information is available, but users cannot quickly locate cabins based on visual position or proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual properties to different regions of the deck plan: transparent overlays show cabin numbers and categories at specific locations, symbols indicate cabin characteristics, and visual cues highlight available versus booked cabins. This local differentiation allows users to quickly detect cabin positions and characteristics visually while maintaining complete information availability
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing an interactive plan of a location from an optical image of a plan of the same location, wherein the location includes a plurality of features of different types such as cabins and corridors, the method comprising the steps of applying a complex geometry and character recognition (COGCR) process to the optical image to determine a plurality of functional data representative of the plurality of features of different types; converting the plurality of functional data into a plurality of object models; combining the object models to construct the interactive plan for display to an end user.