Patent ID: 12243017

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Moreover, while many of the examples provided below pertain to transactions often conducted in the course of airline industry business, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable and/or readily adaptable to other industries, including rail, bus, cruise and other travel or shipping industries, rental car industries, hotels and other hospitality industries, entertainment industries, and others. Often, within a travel industry, it is necessary to communicate with an employee (i.e., an individual) or group of employees based on the context of the employee with the context of the employee being one of the role of the employee, the temporary location of the employee, or the work assignment associated with the employee.

Generally, the location and/or a work assignment of employees within a travel industry are temporary and dynamic. Thus, when a first employee is trying to communicate with another, second employee that is at a specific location or that has a specific work assignment, to first employee generally must first identify a work assignment, or airline flight, associated with the second employee; determine a group of employees associated with the correct work assignment; and then look up the contact information for the second employee associated with the correct work assignment that has the correct role. For example, if a user in an airport control tower wants to contact a crew chief assigned to an airline flight to inquire why the aircraft is delayed, the user in the airport tower would need to identify the airline flight identifier associated with the aircraft using a computer system or paper records, identify the group of employees assigned to the airline flight using a computer system or paper records, identify the correct employee from the group of employees assigned to the airline flight, access the personal contact information for the correct employee, and then initiate communication with the correct employee via one of a plurality of communication methods (i.e., phone, email, text, etc.). Similar steps would be required if: a user in baggage operations wants to notify a user in the tower that the aircraft may be delayed because additional baggage needs to arrive at the aircraft before the aircraft may depart; a customer service manager wants to contact an agent at a specific gate or other location; a shift coordinator wants to ensure that two agents are available to assist a customer at a specific gate, etc. Considering most individuals or employees now carry a mobile communication device or cell phone capable of receiving a phone call, text message, and/or email message, the ability to communicate with an employee is no longer dependent on the location of the individual (i.e., a physical, stationary office), especially within a travel industry that requires employees to be temporarily stationed at a variety of locations. That is, with current information and communications technology, it is required to know an employee's contact information to communicate, or at least initiate communication, with the employee. When a large number of employees are temporarily assigned to different locations, roles, and work assignments, it is difficult to quickly identify the contact information for the correct individual, which can result in the failure to timely communicate time-sensitive information. Additionally, there is a shortcoming in current information and communications technology, especially within travel industries, in that there is no central messaging system that: tracks and delivers messages to different applications within the system; sends messages to applications and users based on context-based information; and reduces the number of systems using polling to reduce duplication of communication efforts.

In an exemplary embodiment and as illustrated inFIG.1, a system10includes a plurality of computers, such as computers15a,15b,15c,15d, and15ethat are associated with users20a,20b,20c,20d, and20e, respectively. The system10also includes a communication platform25that allows communication, or at least initiation of communication, between users20a-20evia a network30using context-based data or information associated with the user(s). In an exemplary embodiment, the platform25is referred to as “ConnectMe.” Each of the users20a-20eis associated with context-based information, which includes any one or more of: an employee role; an employee location; and an employee work assignment. For example, the user20aof the computer15amay have an employee role of dispatcher; the user20bof the computer20amay have the employee role of pilot and have a work assignment of piloting an aircraft35, which is parked at a location40(i.e., gate A11) to complete an airline flight; the user20cof the computer15cmay have an employee role of mechanic and have a work assignment of maintaining the aircraft35prior to its departure on the airline flight; the user20dof the computer15dmay have an employee role of baggage handler, a location40of gate A11, and a work assignment of loading baggage into the aircraft35prior to its departure on the airline flight; user20eof the computer20dmay have an employee role of an agent, a location40of gate A11, and a work assignment of loading, cleaning, or otherwise preparing for aircraft35prior to its departure on the airline flight.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.2Awith continuing reference toFIG.1, the computer15eincludes a computer readable medium15ea, a processor15eb, an input device15ec, and an output device15ed. In an exemplary embodiment, instructions accessible to, and executable by, the processor15ebare stored in the computer readable medium15ea. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile application45is stored in the computer readable medium15ea. In an exemplary embodiment, the input device15ecand the output device15edinclude a graphical display, which, in several exemplary embodiments, is in the form of, or includes, one or more digital displays, one or more liquid crystal displays, one or more cathode ray tube monitors, and/or any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the output device15edincludes a graphical display, a printer, a plotter, and/or any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the input device15ecis the output device15ed, and the output device15edis the input device15ec. However, the input device15ecmay be any type of keyboard, keypad, stylus, speaker, etc. In several exemplary embodiments, the computer15eis a thin client. In several exemplary embodiments, the computer15eis a thick client. In several exemplary embodiments, the computer15efunctions as both a thin client and a thick client. In several exemplary embodiments, the computer15eis, or includes, a telephone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, other types of telecommunications devices, other types of computing devices, and/or any combination thereof.

FIG.2Billustrates the computer15aandFIG.2Cillustrates the computer15d. In an exemplary embodiment, the computers15aand15care substantially identical to the computer15eand therefore, reference numerals used to refer to the features of the computers15aand15dthat are substantially identical to the features of the computer15ewill correspond to the reference numerals used to refer to the features of the computer15eexcept that the prefix for the reference numerals used to refer to the features of the computer15e, that is,15e, will be replaced by the prefix of the computers15aand15c, that is,15aand15c. However, and as illustrated inFIG.2B, the mobile application45is omitted from the computer readable medium15aaof the computer15a, and instead, an external application50is stored in the computer readable medium15aa. In an exemplary embodiment, the computer15amay be a desktop computer or computer used by the air traffic control tower, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the input device15acand the output device15admay be omitted from the computer15a. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45is omitted from the computer readable medium15da, and instead, a client application55is stored in the computer readable medium15da. In an exemplary embodiment, the computer15dmay be an operational device, such as CSM phones, or any device associated with Ramplink+, YADA, Dynamic Manning, and OSR's.

FIGS.3A-3Hare illustrations of the computer15ewhen the user20eis using the mobile application45, andFIG.4illustrates a conceptual architecture view of the system10. Turning toFIGS.3A-3H and4, using the communication platform25along with context-based information for a recipient user, the agent20emay, using the computer15e, initiate communication with the computer15cof the mechanic20cor with a personal cell phone of the mechanic20c, without knowing the identification or contact information of the user20c. Thus, the platform25allows for anonymous communication between users. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45is a “stand alone” application in that it is a mobile application that is downloaded onto the computer15efor the purpose of connecting to the communication platform25. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45forms a portion of a “direct access” module60(shown inFIG.4) within the communication platform25. As shown inFIG.3A, the mobile application45displays a prompt on the output device15edof the computer15eso that the agent20eis prompted to enter his or her user identification and password using the input device15ec. An eSOA authentication65authenticates the user identification and password. As shown inFIGS.3B and3C, the mobile application45also displays a prompt on the output device15edof the computer15eso that the agent20eis prompted to enter his or her context-based information or profile information, such as the employee role, the employee location (i.e., station, gate, etc.), and the employee work assignment, using the input device15ec. As shown inFIG.3D, the mobile application45also displays a prompt on the output device15edof the computer15eso that the agent20eis prompted to follow or subscribe to an employee location or employee work assignment, such as a flight, using the input device15ec. When the user follows or subscribes to a location or flight, the user is included in a group of users that will receive communications relating to the location or the flight. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45uses web services70to communicate the entered information to a message server module75, with some or all of the entered information being stored in a datastore80. Thus, the datastore80stores and tracks context-based information of the user20eand the followed or subscribed to context-based information. In an exemplary embodiment and as shown inFIG.3E, when the agent20ewants to initiate contact with another user, the agent20ecreates a new message using the input device15ecand output device15dewith the recipient defined by location, such as “GATE: DFW/A12”, work assignment, such as “FLIGHT: DFW/A123”, or a user identification number. As shown inFIG.3F, the mobile application45also displays a prompt on the output device15edof the computer15eso that the agent20eis prompted to enter a message, which may be selected from a variety of template messages, using the input device15ec. As shown inFIG.3G, the mobile application45also displays incoming messages, of which the user15eis the unknown intended recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, messages may be filtered by a role level or by the user15e. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45is stored in the user's personal cell phone or other mobile phone. In an exemplary embodiment, the user20emay access an administrative version of the application45to edit or update the context-based information for the user20eor to create and manage message profiles (i.e., information relating to the communication, or message, that the user20eis initiating). In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45uses a data interchanger to communicate with the web services70that communicates with the message server module75directly. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile application45is an executable mobile application that when executed by the user is then associated with the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the message server module75includes a message server75aand a push server75b, but may include any variety of number of servers. As shown inFIG.4, the message server75acommunicates with the push server75bby sending messages to the push server75b. The message server75ais also adapted to receive alerts and events from the external applications50, receive messages from the client applications55, store the subscriptions associated with the client applications55, and send out audit and topic keys to the datastore80. Moreover, and in some embodiments, the message server75ais adapted to send messages via the push server75bto the client applications55. In an exemplary embodiment, the message server75ais adapted to store the alerts, events, and messages communicated within the platform25to the datastore80. The data within the alerts, events, and messages, including the audit and topic keys may be stored in datastore80. The push server75bis adapted to send out audit and topic keys to the datastore80and push out messages to the appropriate client applications55. The client applications55that need the messages pushed to them are adapted to register with the push server75busing application program interfaces (APIs). In an exemplary embodiment, the message server module75is or includes a transmission server.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system10also processes inbound communications, such as alerts or messages, to the message server module75from the external applications50and client applications55. In an exemplary embodiment, the external applications50may be any one or more of a customer notification engine that sends flight information data to the message server module75; a ground event tracker that is a central repository of events leading to departure, such as tracking bags loading and passenger boarding near real time, a generic queue that sends messaging requests from other systems; and a generic queue that sends event data from other systems. Additional external applications that send a variety of alerts, events, or messages to the message server module75may also be included. In an exemplary embodiment, the client applications55may include or be any one or more of a Baggage Reroute application or module that facilitates baggage routing at an airport; a customer assistance application that is used by agents at the airport to assist customers; a Ramplink+ application or module that helps sort luggage at an airport, among others, which send messages, alerts, events, or other data to the message server module75. Regardless, the message server module75processes the inbound alerts, events, or messages from the external applications50and the client applications55. In an exemplary embodiment, the external applications50are adapted to send alerts or events to the message server75avia message queues. In an exemplary embodiment, the client applications55may send context-based information relating to the user of the client application55to the message server module75. For example, when the baggage handler20dprovides his or her user id and password to the client application55within the computer15d, the user20dmay also provide his or her context-based information and may follow or subscribe to an employee location or employee work assignment, such as a flight, using the computer15d. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the client application55automatically detects or otherwise determines the context-based information of the user20d. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the external applications50and the client applications55is an executable mobile application that when executed by the user is then associated with the user.

As shown inFIG.4, the server module75is adapted to interface with and provide communication between many types of sources, such as the external applications50, the client applications55, and the mobile application45. The communication platform25is adapted to accommodate communication between different types of applications regardless of the application communication protocol and data format. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides unified messaging functionalities that allow connectivity between users on various mobile, desktop, and web applications. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides messaging as an enterprise service that is easily integrated to any existing application. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides a central location that tracks and audits the various messages that are sent across all of the applications. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides the ability to specify message hierarchies that are specific to a business vertical. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25uses web-based admin GUI to create and manage message profiles. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides ready-to-use mobile screens that can be easily integrated to existing applications when using the existing framework. For example and in an exemplary embodiment, enabling the communication platform25may be simple as enabling a flag in the application configuration file. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides framework code that abstracts the server communication and configuration for ease of integration. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25uses the mobile application45for desktop and mobile clients when the user does not have access to any client applications55. In fact and in an exemplary embodiment, when the user has access to any one of the client applications55, a separate application to communication with the communication platform25is not required. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25provides all the reporting in business intelligence and performance management software, such as Cognos. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25reduces the duplication of communication efforts, and thus may result in any one of the message server module75, the external applications50, the client applications45, the database80, or any other component within the communication platform25having faster response times and requiring less memory. This in turn, improves the performance of any one of the message server module75, the external applications50, the client applications45, and the database80. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication platform25results in role-based communication between anonymous users using context-based information.

FIG.5illustrates the meta-architecture of an application layer of the system10and is generally referred to by the reference numeral100. In an exemplary embodiment, clients105interact with services110in a variety of ways. For example, the user20bmay use a handheld device, such as the computer15b, that has a designated mobile framework115to communicate to an application service layer120. Additionally, the user20amay also use the computer15ato access a Silverlight webpage125that has a designated Silverlight framework130to communicate to an application service layer135to further communicate with the services110. In an exemplary embodiment, the clients105can also “directly” communicate with the services110with a flash webpage140. The services110are made up of a presentation/business tier145and a datastore150, which may be the datastore70or a separate datastore. In an exemplary embodiment, the presentation/business tier145includes of a web services invoker155, business components160, and a presentation layer165. In an exemplary embodiment, the application service layer120, the application services layer130, and the Flash Webpage140directly communicate with the Service Invoker155. The Web Service Invoker155provides a generic method to run the Business Components165. The Business Components65contains the core functionality that communicates with the datastore150. The presentation layer160hosts the user interface for the services110. Generally, no changes are required to the code of the clients105to implement the platform25. Instead, framework code is modified to support communication with the message server module75and the framework code is integrated with the code of the clients105. Considering the clients105may include a variety of applications, messages sent from one application in a first format may not be readable by another application that requires a second, different format. Thus, additional interfaces having an OnConnect method, such as an IMessagingServerMannager, and an OnMessage method, may be added to the framework of the platform25. In an exemplary embodiment, the OnConnect method implements the registration and subscription with the message server module75. In an exemplary embodiment, the OnMessage method processes messages to the specific client application. Thus, the services110acts as a set of SOAP services so that the clients105may use a wide variety of technologies. That is, the platform25identifies, using the message server module75, a first format associated with a first message and identifies a second format associated with the application that is associated with an unknown intended recipient and then reformats the first message from the first format to the second format to provide an unified framework for communications thereby reducing duplication of communication efforts and thus improving the functioning of server itself. In an exemplary embodiment, the message server module75may use an XML file to reformat the first message from the first format to the second format.

In an exemplary embodiment, the services110use a push technology to push the messages to the clients105instead of a direct polling. Additionally, the services110expose a set of application program interfaces to register for and get notified for the messages. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more XML files may be added to a resources folder for each of the client applications55that details the message structure and that generates a ConnectMeMessage.cs file.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.6, a method of operating the system10is generally referred to by the reference numeral200. In an exemplary embodiment, the method200includes receiving, using the message server module75, subscription data, or information, of users and context-based information of users from the mobile applications45and/or the client applications55at step205, storing the subscription information and/or the context-based in the datastore80at step210; receiving, using the message server module75, a communication from one of the client applications55, the external applications50, or the mobile applications45at step215; identifying recipient context-based information and/or recipient subscription information that identifies an intended recipient of the communication at step220; querying the datastore80to identify users having subscription information and/or context-based information that matches the recipient context-based information and/or the recipient subscription data at step225; sending the communication to the push server75balong with the information relating to the identified users at step230; pushing the communication to the identified users using the push server75bat step235; and sending audit and topic keys to the datastore80at step240.

At the step205, the message server module75receives subscription information of users and context-based information of users from the client applications55and the mobile applications45. Generally, context-based information of users and subscription information of users will be provided when a user logs in to an application, such as the client application55or the mobile application45. When the client application55or the mobile application45is started, the message server75apolling functionality is initiated.

At the step210, the subscription information and the context-based information of the users are stored in the datastore80. In addition, the datastore may store information relating to the identification of the user, the application name from which the user logged in, the device from which the user is active, the phone number and service provider associated with a device from which the user is active, the station from which the user is active, etc.

At the step215, the message server module75receives the communication from one of the client applications55, the external applications50, or the mobile application45. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the communication may include any one of an email, a text message, a request for contact information for a specific user, etc. For example, and referring back toFIG.3E, the user20emay request a phone contact of another user by accessing sub-profiles within each of the profiles of “GATE: DFW/A12”, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication and the details associated with the communication is stored in the datastore80. The communication may also be received by the message server module75from the external clients50via a message queue.

At the step220, the message server75aidentifies recipient context-based information and/or the recipient subscription information that is within the communication and that identifies an intended recipient of the communication.

At the step225, the datastore80is queried, using the message server module75, to identify users that have subscription information and/or context-based information that matches the recipient context-based information and/or the recipient subscription information.

At the step230, the message server75asends the alert, the event, or the message to the push server75balong with the information relating to the identified user.

At the step235, the push server75bpushes the alert, the event, or the message to the identified users. In an example embodiment and when the user requests phone contacts, the message server module75presents a phone contact for the identified user based on the provided context-based information. In an exemplary embodiment, when the phone contact (i.e., phone number) or list of phone contacts is presented to the sender of the message, the user selects one of the phone numbers and then selects a “call” button to initiate a phone call to the selected phone number. Thus, although the platform25may receive the message via the internet, the user may initiate communication with the recipient using any type of wireless communication channel. In an exemplary embodiment and when the communication is a text message, the communication will be emailed, using the message server module75, to the service provider of the recipient along with the phone number of the recipient so that the service provider may send the recipient the text message via sms. Thus, while the user20dlogs in to a computer15dand provides context-based information to the platform25via the computer15d, the user20dmay receive communications from the platform25via his or her personal cell phone or receive phone calls on his or her personal cell phone from other users within the platform25.

At the step240, the push server75bsends audit and topic keys to the datastore80. Additionally, a history of the communication (e.g., the sender of the communication, the recipient(s) of the communication, the read time of the message, the deleted time of the message, etc.) is stored in the datastore80.

Additionally, and in an exemplary embodiment, the message server75amay receive status information relating to the processed or sent message from the mobile application45, the external application50, or the client applications55. For example, if the message is considered a “high status” or “urgent” message, the recipient user may acknowledge receipt of the message and/or provide a status relating to the subject of the message. This acknowledgment or status update may be sent from the recipient and to the message server75a.

In an exemplary embodiment, the platform25processes airline teletype system messages using TTY addresses. Additionally and in one exemplary embodiment, one or more of the computers15a-15eis adapted to communicated with a Global Positioning System (GPS) or triangulation system such that the location of the user associated with the computers15a-15eis automatically detected and updated in the datastore80. Alternately, when the computer having GPS capabilities is within a certain distance of an interested point, a message can be dispatched to the computer or another application or person. Moreover and in an exemplary embodiment, business events can trigger a message, alert, or other communication in the platform25. In an exemplary embodiment, the platform25provides a voice conference options for picking the list of users.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.7, an illustrative node1000for implementing one or more of the exemplary embodiments described above, illustrated inFIGS.1-6, and/or any combination thereof, is depicted. The node1000includes a microprocessor1000a, an input device1000b, a storage device1000c, a video controller1000d, a system memory1000e, a display1000f, and a communication device1000ginterconnected by one or more buses1000h. In several exemplary embodiments, the storage device1000cmay include a floppy drive, hard drive, CD-ROM, optical drive, any other form of storage device and/or any combination thereof. In several exemplary embodiments, the storage device1000cmay include, and/or be capable of receiving, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable medium that may contain executable instructions. In several exemplary embodiments, the communication device1000gmay include a modem, network card, or any other device to enable the node to communicate with other nodes. In several exemplary embodiments, any node represents a plurality of interconnected (whether by intranet or Internet) computer systems, including without limitation, personal computers, mainframes, PDAs, smartphones and cell phones.

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the components of the systems described above, illustrated inFIGS.1-7, and/or any combination thereof, include at least the node1000and/or components thereof, and/or one or more nodes that are substantially similar to the node1000and/or components thereof. In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the above-described components of the node1000and/or the platform25include respective pluralities of the same components.

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the applications, systems, and application programs described above, such as for example the mobile application45, the external application50, and/or the client application55, illustrated inFIGS.1-9, and/or any combination thereof, include a computer program that includes a plurality of instructions, data, and/or any combination thereof; an application written in, for example, Arena, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, Extensible Markup Language (XML), asynchronous Javascript and XML (Ajax), and/or any combination thereof; a web-based application written in, for example, Java or Adobe Flex, which in several exemplary embodiments pulls real-time information from one or more servers, automatically refreshing with latest information at a predetermined time increment; or any combination thereof.

In several exemplary embodiments, a computer system typically includes at least hardware capable of executing machine readable instructions, as well as the software for executing acts (typically machine-readable instructions) that produce a desired result. In several exemplary embodiments, a computer system may include hybrids of hardware and software as well as computer sub-systems.

In several exemplary embodiments, hardware generally includes at least processor-capable platforms, such as client-machines (also known as personal computers or servers), and hand-held processing devices (such as smart phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or personal computing devices (PCDs), for example). In several exemplary embodiments, hardware may include any physical device that is capable of storing machine-readable instructions, such as memory or other data storage devices. In several exemplary embodiments, other forms of hardware include hardware sub-systems, including transfer devices such as modems, modem cards, ports, and port cards, for example.

In several exemplary embodiments, software includes any machine code stored in any memory medium, such as RAM or ROM, and machine code stored on other devices (such as floppy disks, flash memory, or a CD ROM, for example). In several exemplary embodiments, software may include source or object code. In several exemplary embodiments, software encompasses any set of instructions capable of being executed on a node such as, for example, on a client machine or server.

In several exemplary embodiments, combinations of software and hardware could also be used for providing enhanced functionality and performance for certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, software functions may be directly manufactured into a silicon chip. Accordingly, it should be understood that combinations of hardware and software are also included within the definition of a computer system and are thus envisioned by the present disclosure as possible equivalent structures and equivalent methods.

In several exemplary embodiments, computer readable mediums include, for example, passive data storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) as well as semi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM). One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the RAM of a computer to transform a standard computer into a new specific computing machine. In several exemplary embodiments, data structures are defined organizations of data that may enable an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, a data structure may provide an organization of data, or an organization of executable code.

In several exemplary embodiments, any networks and/or one or more portions thereof may be designed to work on any specific architecture. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more portions of any networks may be executed on a single computer, local area networks, client-server networks, wide area networks, internets, hand-held and other portable and wireless devices and networks.

In several exemplary embodiments, a database may be any standard or proprietary database software. In several exemplary embodiments, the database may have fields, records, data, and other database elements that may be associated through database specific software. In several exemplary embodiments, data may be mapped. In several exemplary embodiments, mapping is the process of associating one data entry with another data entry. In an exemplary embodiment, the data contained in the location of a character file can be mapped to a field in a second table. In several exemplary embodiments, the physical location of the database is not limiting, and the database may be distributed. In an exemplary embodiment, the database may exist remotely from the server, and run on a separate platform. In an exemplary embodiment, the database may be accessible across the Internet. In several exemplary embodiments, more than one database may be implemented.

In several exemplary embodiments, a plurality of instructions stored on a computer readable medium may be executed by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to carry out or implement in whole or in part the above-described operation of each of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the system, the method, and/or any combination thereof. In several exemplary embodiments, such a processor may include one or more of the microprocessor1000a, any processor(s) that are part of the components of the system, and/or any combination thereof, and such a non-transitory computer readable medium may be distributed among one or more components of the system. In several exemplary embodiments, such a processor may execute the plurality of instructions in connection with a virtual computer system. In several exemplary embodiments, such a plurality of instructions may communicate directly with the one or more processors, and/or may interact with one or more operating systems, middleware, firmware, other applications, and/or any combination thereof, to cause the one or more processors to execute the instructions.

A method of providing a context-based communication platform has been described and includes storing an executable application on a computer readable medium within each remote computer in a plurality of remote computers, wherein when the executable application is executed the application is associated with an individual user; receiving, at a server and from the application within each remote computer in the plurality of remote computers, user contact data and user context data for each individual user, wherein the user context data includes data regarding one of a role of the individual user; the location of the individual user; and a work assignment of the individual user; storing, in a database that is in communication with the server, the user contact data and user context data for each individual user; receiving, at the server, a communication that includes user context data associated with an intended recipient, the identity of which is unknown, wherein the intended recipient is one of the individual users; and identifying, using the server and the database, the user contact data of the unknown intended recipient based on the user context data of the unknown intended recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication is a message for the unknown intended recipient; and the method further includes sending, from the server, the message to the application within the remote computer in the plurality of remote computers that is associated with the unknown intended recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the method also includes identifying, using the server, a first format associated with the message; identifying, using the server, a second format associated with the application that is associated with the unknown intended recipient; and reformatting, using the server, the message from the first format to the second format to provide an unified framework for communications thereby reducing duplication of communication efforts and thus improving the functioning of the server itself. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication is a request for user contact data of the unknown intended recipient; wherein the communication is received from a first application; and the method further includes sending, from the server, the contact data of the unknown intended recipient to the first application. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication is a message for the unknown intended recipient; and the method further includes emailing, from the server, the message and the user contact data to a service provider which sends, using the user contact data, the message to a mobile phone of the unknown intended recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the method also includes generating an automatic alert based on an event trigger using a client application that is in communication with the sever, wherein the automatic alert is the communication. In an exemplary embodiment, the role of the individual user includes an employee role within an airline; the location of the individual user includes a description of a location within an airport; and the work assignment of the individual user includes an airline flight. In an exemplary embodiment, the method also includes receiving, at the server and from the application within each remote computer in the plurality of remote computers, subscription group data for each individual user; wherein the communication further includes subscription group data associated with the unknown intended recipient; wherein identifying, using the server and the database, the user contact data of the unknown intended recipient is further based on the subscription group data associated with the unknown intended recipient; wherein the communication is a message for the unknown intended recipient; and sending, from the server, the message to the application within the remote computer in the plurality of remote computers that is associated with the unknown intended recipient.

An apparatus for providing context-based communication has been described and includes: a non-transitory computer readable medium; and a plurality of instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by one or more processors, the plurality of instructions including: instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive from an application within each remote computer in a plurality of remote computers, user contact data and user context data for each individual from a plurality of individuals, wherein the user context data includes data regarding at least one of: a role of the individual user; the location of the individual user; and a work assignment of the individual user; instructions that cause the one or more processors to store in a database that is in communication with the processors, the user contact data and user context data for each individual user; instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive a communication that includes user context data associated with an intended recipient, the identity of which is unknown, wherein the unknown intended recipient is one of the individual users; and instructions that cause the one or more processors to search the database to match the user context data associated with the unknown intended recipient with the stored user context data for each of the individual users. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication is a message for the unknown intended recipient; and wherein the plurality of instructions further includes instructions that cause the one or more processors to send the message to the application within the remote computer in the plurality of remote computers that is associated with the unknown intended recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of instructions further includes: instructions that cause the one or more processors to identify a first format associated with the message; instructions that cause the one or more processors to identify a second format associated with the application that is associated with the unknown intended recipient; and instructions that cause the one or more processors to reformat the message from the first format to the second format to provide an unified framework for communications thereby reducing duplication of communication efforts and thus improving the functioning of server itself. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication is a request for user contact data of the unknown intended recipient; the communication is received from a first application; and the plurality of instructions further includes instructions that cause the one or more processors to send the contact data of the unknown intended recipient to the first application. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication is a message for the unknown intended recipient; and the plurality of instructions further includes instructions that cause the one or more processors to email the message and the user contact data to a service provider which sends, using the user contact data, the message to a mobile phone of the unknown intended recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of instructions further includes instructions that cause the one or more processors to generate an automatic alert based on an event trigger using a client application that is in communication with the sever, wherein the automatic alert is the communication. In an exemplary embodiment, the role of the individual user includes an employee role within an airline; the location of the individual user includes a description of a location within an airport; and the work assignment of the individual user includes an airline flight. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of instructions further includes: instructions that cause the one or more processors to receive from the application within each remote computer in the plurality of remote computers, subscription group data for each individual user; wherein the communication further includes subscription group data associated with the unknown intended recipient; wherein identification of the user contact data of the unknown intended recipient is further based on the subscription group data associated with the unknown intended recipient; and wherein the communication is a message for the unknown intended recipient; and instructions that cause the one or more processors to send the message to the application within the remote computer in the plurality of remote computers that is associated with the unknown intended recipient.

A method of distributing airline-related alerts over a network has been described and includes storing an executable communication application on a computer readable medium within each remote computer in a plurality of remote computers, wherein when the communication application is executed the application is associated with an individual user; receiving, at a transmission server and from the application within each remote computer in the plurality of remote computers, user contact data and user context data for each individual user, wherein the user context data includes data regarding at least one of: a role of the individual user; the location of the individual user; and a work assignment of the individual user; storing, in a database that is in communication with the transmission server, the user contact data and user context data for each individual user; and receiving an airline-related alert at the transmission server sent from a data source over the internet, the transmission server including a microprocessor and the database; wherein the airline-related alert includes user context data associated with an intended recipient, the identity of which is unknown, wherein the unknown intended recipient is one of the individual users; and wherein the microprocessor: identifies the user contact data of the unknown intended recipient based on the user context data of the unknown intended recipient; and initiates, with the unknown intended recipient, transmission of the travel-related alert over a wireless communication channel to a mobile phone that is not the remote computer of each remote subscriber, the mobile phone associated with the user contact data of the unknown intended recipient; and wherein the initiation of the transmission of the travel-related alert over the wireless communication channel to the mobile phone that is not the remote computer of the unknown intended recipient enables communication between dynamically located and unknown individuals. In an exemplary embodiment, the method also includes generating an automatic alert based on an event trigger using a client application that is in communication with the sever, wherein the automatic alert is the communication. In an exemplary embodiment, the role of the individual user includes an employee role within an airline; the location of the individual user includes a description of a location within an airport; and the work assignment of the individual user includes an airline flight. In an exemplary embodiment, the initiation of the transmission of the travel-related alert over the wireless communication channel to the mobile phone that is not the remote computer of unknown intended recipient provides a unified framework for communications thereby reducing duplication of communication efforts and thus improving the functioning of server itself.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, instead of, or in addition to transportation transactions often conducted in the course of airline industry business, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable and/or readily adaptable to transportation transactions conducted in other industries, including rail, bus, cruise and other travel or shipping industries, rental car industries, hotels and other hospitality industries, entertainment industries, and other industries. In an exemplary embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure are readily applicable and/or readily adaptable to a shipping travel leg in which a ship travels from one port to one or more other ports. In an exemplary embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure are readily applicable and/or readily adaptable to a trucking travel leg during which a truck travels from one city to one or more other cities. In an exemplary embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure are readily applicable and/or readily adaptable to a rail travel leg during which a train travels from one city or station to one or more other cities or stations. In an exemplary embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable and/or readily adaptable to a wide variety of transportation transactions such as, for example, an airline sequence or itinerary (i.e., a plurality of airline flights), a travel leg of an airline sequence or itinerary (i.e., a single airline flight), an airline block, and/or any combination thereof.

In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

Any spatial references such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.

In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 75a, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.