Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for receiving and processing flight plan data and associated content, either manually or automatically, and combining said data with individual selections necessary to automatically determine the mode of ground transportation, and/or lodging, aircraft occupants will need upon arriving at their destination airport. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a data collection utility accessible over the Internet.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    There are currently methods for determining the amount of aviation traffic arriving at a given airport at any given time, but there is currently no automated means for determining which mode of ground transportation or lodging the occupants of these aircraft will need upon arriving at their destination airport. As a result, the occupants (i.e., Pilot, Flight Crew, Passengers, etc.) must rely upon traditional methods to fulfill these possible requirements. 
         [0002]    This procedure includes determining what ground transportation services or lodging providers are available at their destination airport. To do this, a pilot/person must determine if a Fixed Based Operator (FBO) services the airport. There can be a number of different FBO&#39;s at an airport. Some airports are unattended and do not have a FBO. Upon determining this information, the pilot must either contact the FBO to see what differing types of transportation they provide or find a ground transportation provider in the general location surrounding and near their destination airport. The later process can be both arduous and time consuming without even considering the time required in determining lodging most suitable for providing ready access to airport activities. 
         [0003]    The preferred method of contacting a destination FBO has traditionally been to telephone them prior to departing the airport of origin or, possibly, to contact them via radio communications prior to arriving at the airport. Both methods are problematic. Telephoning an FBO requires time, and if the FBO does not provide the services you need, one must then begin the search to procure local transportation and/or lodging. Conversely, radio communication with an FBO prior to arriving at an airport requires first, that the pilot remembers to do such, second, that the pilot gives the FBO enough lead time to procure said services in a timely manner, and last, the pilot must monitor two radio frequencies as to not miss an important radio call from Air Traffic Control (ATC) or miss an important call out or procedure because of this unnecessary distraction during a critical phase of flight. 
         [0004]    This process can be cumbersome and time consuming because it includes determining (and consequentially procuring and scheduling) which mode of transportation and/or lodging would be most desirable for themselves and/or their passengers, which Fixed Based Operator (FBO) they will be using at their destination, which transportation services the FBO provides, taxi service availability, hotel shuttlebus schedules, etc. Presently, there are no systems, methods or solutions for determining and processing this information automatically. 
       Solution 
       [0005]    The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems by providing a computer program with a user interface which may be initiated either manually or automatically. Manual initiation requires the user to activate the application via an “App”, an application, a website address or a link thereto, or any other number of unforeseen methods to the same end. Automatic program activation requires the completion of a flight plan filed with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (or, outside of the United States, the comparably associated governing agency). Said computer program queries a database and presents options to the user listing all of the available services at the user&#39;s destination. These services may or may not include, but are not limited to, Fixed Based Operator (FBO), Aircraft Maintenance Shops, Hanger Locations, Taxicabs, Shuttle Buses, Buses, Trains, Rental Cars, Boats, Ferries, Water Taxis, Air Taxis, Courtesy Cars, Own Transportation, Hotels, Motels, Suites, Bed &amp; Breakfasts, etc. The user&#39;s service selection populates a database. The computer application queries the database and provides real-time results as to which form of transportation and/or lodging the aircraft occupants will be using and at what time and location they will be requiring said services. 
       Basic Description of how it Works 
       [0006]    Data pertaining to the flight are received, parsed and populated in a database. This flight information can be entered either manually or automatically. Automatic population of flight plan data can be received either from use of an independent flight planning application or through the Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI). Manual entry is accomplished through use of a computer application user interface (Window) presenting itself to the pilot. Regardless of which method is used to populate flight plan information to the database, a new Window presents itself to the user querying which Fixed Based Operator (FBO) or maintenance facility they will be disembarking from after having arrived at their destination airport. Upon making this selection, the database is queried, pertinent data is then received, and a new Window is presented the user querying the particular form of ground transportation desired (i.e., Taxicab, Rental Car, Shuttle Bus, Courtesy Car, Own Transportation, etc.). Upon selecting the desired ground transportation, the previously parsed data pertaining to the FBO (i.e., address, phone number, email, etc.) are combined with the data pertaining to the selected ground transportation and the filed flight plan data and are forwarded to a local service provider. Should the user require lodging, instead or in conjunction with transportation, another Window presents itself querying the particular form of lodging desired. Upon selecting the desired lodging preference, the previously parsed data pertaining to the FBO (i.e., address, phone number, email, etc.) are combined with the data pertaining to the selected ground transportation (if inclusive) and the filed flight plan data and are forwarded to a local service provider. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a computer system of one implementation. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a process flow diagram illustrating the process for aircraft occupant destination ground transportation and/or lodging determination in one embodiment of the present system and method illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a representative web page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a representative web page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of a representative web page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic view of a representative web page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0014]    On any given day there are likely to be more than 60,000 flight plans filed in the United States. Each of these flights are from origination to destination. The term “destination” herein means the location where the flight lands and stops flying, at least for a while. There can be both intermediate destinations, such as landing for refueling before continuing to a further destination, and final destinations, such as landing to complete the purpose of the flight. 
         [0015]    On any one of these aircraft is a minimum of one occupant. As very few airports have transient lodging located on the field it is reasonable to assume the airport is not the final destination for these occupants. To continue this journey the occupants will more likely than not require some form of ground transportation (i.e., Taxicab, Shuttle bus, Rental car, etc.). Currently there are no systems in place to determine which form of ground transportation these occupants will be requiring. 
         [0016]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a diagrammatic view of computer system  20  suitable for use in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Computer system  20  includes computer network  22 , and functions to provide the novel service described herein. Computer network  22  couples together a number of computers  21  over network pathways  23   a - 23   e . Telephone network  40  couples together Gateway Server  27  and user device  42  over pathways  23   f  and  23   g . Preferably, telephone network  40  comprises both the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and one or more cellular networks. In one form, computers  21  may also be connected to user device  42  through network  22  via network pathway  23   h , such as when user device  42  is a VoIP endpoint, wireless device, smart phone, or other digital communication device. Any of pathways, 23 may alternatively be traditional PSTN connections, digital lines (such as T1, T3, OC3), or any other transmission medium suitable for carrying content, such as a wireless or cellular network. 
         [0017]    More specifically, system  20  includes several servers, namely Web Server  24 , Database Server  25 , ASDI Server  26 , and Gateway Server  27 . System  20  also includes at least one user computer  30 . While computers  21  are each illustrated as being a server or client, it should be understood that any of computers  21  may be arranged to include both a client and server. Furthermore, it should be understood that while five computers  21  are illustrated, more or fewer may be utilized in alternative embodiments. In particular, it shall be appreciated that a large number of client computers, similar to user computer  30 , may be in use within system  20  for performing operations such as allowing numerous individual remote users or entities to connect to Web Server  24 . 
         [0018]    Turning to implementation specifics, in the illustrative embodiment, computers  21  include one or more processors or CPUs ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d , and  50   e  respectively) and one or more types of memory ( 52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d , and  52   e  respectively). Each memory  52   a - e  preferably includes a removable memory device. Each processor  50   a - 50   e  may be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. Alternatively, when of a multi-component form, a processor  50   a - 50   e  may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. One or more components of each processor  50   a - 50   e  may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one embodiment, each processor  50   a - 50   e  is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement. 
         [0019]    Each memory  52   a - 52   e  (removable or generic) is one form of a computer-readable device. Each memory may include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few. By way of non-limiting example, each memory may include solid-state electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a DVD or CD ROM); a magnetically encoded hard disc, floppy disc, tape, or cartridge media; or a combination of any of these memory types. Also, each memory may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and nonvolatile varieties. 
         [0020]    Although not shown, in one embodiment each computer  21  is coupled to a display and/or includes an integrated display. Computers  21  may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different computing devices. Likewise, displays may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different visual devices. Although not shown, each computer  21  may also include one or more operator input devices such as a keyboard or mouse to name just a few representative examples. Also, besides a display, one or more other output devices may be included such as a printer. As such, various display, input and output device arrangements are possible. 
         [0021]    Computer network  22  can be in the form of a wireless or wired Local Area Network (LAN), Municipal Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, a combination of these, or such other network arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. In a further form, several computers  21 , such as Web server  24 , Database Server  25 , and Gateway Server  27  may be coupled together by a secure portion of network  22  while remaining connected to ASDI Server  26  and user computer  30  via an unsecured portion of network  22 . The operating logic of system  20  can be embodied in signals transmitted over network  22 , in programming instructions, dedicated hardware, or a combination of these. It should be understood that more or fewer computers  21  can be coupled together by computer network  22 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, system  20  operates at one or more physical locations. Web Server  24  is configured as a web server that hosts application business logic  33  used for querying and updating Database Server  25  with user inputted selections. Database Server  25  is configured as a database server for, but not limited to, storing user inputted information and aviation information provided by ASDI Server  26  and the remote users, and user computer  30  is configured for providing a user interface  32  for accessing the FBO identification, FBO fuel prices, available taxicab services, available rental car services, courtesy car availability, shuttle bus availability, own transportation or no service requested. User interface  32  of user computer  30  can be an installable application such as one that communicates with Web Server  24 , can be browser-based, and/or can be embedded software, to name a few non-limiting examples. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, software installed locally on user computer  30  or user device  42  is used to communicate with Web Server  24 . In another embodiment, Web Server  24  provides HTML pages, data from web services, and/or other Internet standard or company proprietary data formats to user computer  30  or user device  42  when requested. It shall be appreciated that in alternate forms user computer  30  and user device  42  may be any web-enabled device, such as an iPod, iPad, Tablet, or cellular phone, to name just a few illustrative examples. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the term web server is used generically for purposes of illustration and is not meant to imply that network  22  is required to be the Internet. As described previously, network  22  can be one of various types of networks as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Data store  34  on Database Server  25  can store data such as FBO identification, FBO physical address, FBO email address, FBO phone number, FBO fuel prices, available taxicab services, available rental car services, courtesy car availability, shuttle bus availability, own transportation, no requested services (as a user selectable option) and/or user content segments to name a few representative examples. 
         [0024]    Gateway Server  27  includes business logic  36  and associated hardware allowing operation as an outgoing communication server, such as an auto dialer and/or other suitable hardware, for distributing information to a user, as triggered by the novel service. In one form, Gateway Server  27  may initiate a digital communication session with user device  42  via network  22 . In an alternate form Gateway Server  27  may transmit information in the form of a message, such as an email or SMS (text message), to user device  42  via network  22 . Depending upon the type of information being inputted by the remote user, user device  42  may be a smart phone, iPod, iPad, Tablet, etc. such as one implementing GSM or CDMA technology, a digital telephone, such as a VOIP phone, or another computer, such as a server. It shall be appreciated that more than one user device will be included in use of system  20 , but that only one has been shown generically to preserve clarity. Further, it shall be appreciated that the types of user devices connected to system  20  need not be of the same type, but that digital, analog, and other technologies may be accommodated simultaneously. 
         [0025]    In the illustrative embodiment, flight plan information is received from ASDI Server  26  which is at least one server that is a part of the Aircraft Situation Display to Industry service (ASDI) provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The feed provided by the ASDI service may be in real time or delayed, such as subject to a five minute delay. Connections to the feed are established in a structured format according to Aircraft Situation Display to Industry: Functional Description and Interface Control Document (available at www.fly.faa.gov/ASDI/asdi.html). 
         [0026]    Typical applications of system  20  would include more client computers, such as client computer  30 , at various locations, although only one client computer  30  has been illustrated in  FIG. 1  to preserve clarity. Furthermore, although four servers  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  are shown, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more features provided by Web Server  24 , Database Server  25 , and Gateway Server  27  could be provided by the same computer or varying other arrangements of computers at one or more physical locations and still be within the spirit of the invention. Farms of dedicated servers, a single proprietary system, and/or a Storage Area Network (SAN) could also be provided to support the specific features if desired. In the illustrative embodiment, in order to flexibly handle the large quantity of data received by the novel service, Database Server  25  includes a relational database, such as SQL, as is known to one of skill in the art. 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a flowchart illustrating a method for determining and processing requested ground transportation or lodging is illustrated. The process begins at start point  200  with the novel service being activated through a triggering event  202 . This triggering event can be caused either by manually selecting the application, website or computer program  206 , or the process begins upon receiving a flight information message  204  from ASDI server  26 , or an independent flight planning computer program via Web Server  24 . In one form, the flight information messages are received and processed by Database Server  25 . In other forms, various other servers may process the data prior to entry into the data store  34 . The flight plan information messages may be of a variety of different types, with each type providing various fields of information. 
         [0028]    Once activated, data can be entered either manually, by the user, or imported from Data Store  34 . Manually entered data can be inputted using an instrument for collecting data presented on User Computer  30  or User Device  42 . Said data primarily consists of Aircraft Registration and Destination Airport information  208 . Inputted data is subsequently stored in Data Store  34 . Destination Airport data is used by Business Logic  33  to retrieve transportation service provider or lodging data from Database Server  25 . Parsed transportation service provider or lodging data is presented on User Computer  30  or User Device  42 . Upon selection of transportation service provider or lodging by user  210 , transportation service provider or lodging selection  212  is archived  214  in Data Store  34 . 
         [0029]    For purposes of illustration, and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  shows a sample web page  300  presented to a remote user on client computer  30  by Web Server  24 . Web Page  300  includes a plurality of fields suitable for allowing the remote user to submit flight plan details. For purposes of determining what forms of ground transportation or lodging will be available to the user at their destination airport, web page  300  includes Destination Airport field  302 . The user completes the form and transmits the information to Web Server  24  by selecting Submit button  304 . It shall be appreciated that other notification triggers, notification delivery methods, and the like may be provided for in alternative embodiments. Other fields which may be illustrated on web page  300  are merely a convenience to the user and are of no consequence to the function of the novel service. 
         [0030]    For purposes of illustration, and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  shows a sample web page  400  presented to a remote user on client computer  30  by Web Server  24 . Web Page  400  includes a plurality of fields suitable for allowing the remote user to select from differing FBOs  402   a - 402   c  which may be serving the airport based on either automatically populated flight plan data from ASDI Server  26 , an independent flight planning computer program via Web Server  24 , or manually inputted information from Destination Airport field  302 . The user completes the form and transmits the information to Web Server  24  by selecting Submit button  404 . It shall be appreciated that other notification triggers, notification delivery methods, and the like may be provided for in alternative embodiments. 
         [0031]    For purposes of illustration, and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  shows a sample web page  500  presented to a remote user on client computer  30  by Web Server  24 . Web Page  500  includes a plurality of fields suitable for allowing the remote user to select from varying forms of ground transportation  502   a - 502   f . The user completes the form and transmits the information to Web Server  24  by selecting Submit button  504 . It shall be appreciated that other notification triggers, notification delivery methods, and the like may be provided for in alternative embodiments. 
         [0032]    For purposes of illustration, and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 6  shows a sample web page  600  presented to a remote user on client computer  30  by Web Server  24 . Web Page  600  includes a plurality of fields suitable for allowing the remote user to select from varying forms of lodging  602   a - 602   f . The user completes the form and transmits the information to Web Server  24  by selecting Submit button  604 . It shall be appreciated that other notification triggers, notification delivery methods, and the like may be provided for in alternative embodiments. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all equivalents, changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions as described herein and/or by the following claims are desired to be protected. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.