Patent Background

Many buyers of high fashion desire to educate themselves prior to purchasing fashion items. In particular, buyers can wish to review what different merchants offer, compare the offered merchandise with what buyers already own, and review the latest trends. In addition, some buyers can wish to identify sales and availability of merchandise before going to a store to shop. To do so, buyers may need to purchase and read several fashion magazines, call or visit different stores to ascertain the availability of different items, and perform research using different sources (e.g., the Internet or other sources).

While all of the resources a buyer may need to most effectively shop may be available, the resources may not be centralized or easily accessed from a single location. In addition, some resources may not be available over the same types of communications links. For example, some resources may only be available over the telephone, such as information regarding the specific availability of merchandise in particular stores. As another example, some information may only be available from a combination of resources (e.g., a buyer may be required to access different sources associated with different sellers). From a user's perspective, this lack of centralization of interactions with the fashion provider can require more effort from the user wishing to take advantage of shopping resources than they wish to give, and perhaps even dissuade the user from shopping with the fashion provider (thus at a cost to the fashion provider).

Patent Summary

This is directed to system and methods for providing enhanced access to high fashion services in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In particular, this is directed to providing enhanced access to high fashion through an integrated application of an electronic device.

For example, the electronic device may include an integrated application operative to interface with one or more fashion provider systems to provide access to different services and different information available from the fashion providers. For example, the integrated application can connect to servers available from one or more stores or high fashion providers to receive data reflecting their latest collections. As another example, the integrated application can receive recommendations from fashion providers regarding recommended combinations of merchandise to form outfits.

In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide functions to attract or entice a user to view a particular fashion provider. For example, through the integrated application, a user can be provided with promotions and invitations to special events, access product availability, access a store locator, and be provided with opportunities to pre-order and reserve fashion items. In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide enhanced fashion item information to a user. For example, a user may scan an advertisement including a barcode, embedded pixel pattern, or other information-including pattern with an electronic device. By doing so, the user can access enhanced information associated with the fashion item of the advertisement. As another example, social networking features can be provided by allowing a user to create wish lists, look books, gift guides, or other collections of fashion items. These collections may then be provided to a social website or otherwise shared such that friends and acquaintances can provide feedback on the collections.

In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide a user with sales assistance (e.g., while the user is in a store of the fashion provider). For example, fashion items in the store may include an optical pattern (e.g., a barcode) on their price tag. A use may then scan the optical pattern to obtain additional information or features associated with that fashion item. For example, the optical pattern may be scanned by taking a digital image of the price tag with a camera of the user's electronic device. By analyzing the digital image of the optical pattern, the integrated application may access information associated with the fashion item such as ratings, availability (e.g., in a particular size, color, style, or the like), comparisons (e.g., price comparisons of the same or similar items from other fashion providers or other store locations), outfit recommendations, and other suitable features.

In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide a user with up-selling and cross-selling opportunities. For example, the integrated application may access a database of fashion items currently owned by the user. Based on that database, the integrated application may locate fashion items available for purchase from one or more fashion providers that can be matched with the users currently owned fashion items to produce an outfit. These matching fashion items may then be recommended to the user for purchasing.

In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide a user with post-purchase opportunities. For example, the user can be provided with opportunities to rate and review a store, a fashion provider, a fashion item, or any combination of the above. As another example, an interface can be providing allowing a user to mix-and-match currently purchased fashion items to build outfits. As another example, using historical data to identify buying trends of a particular user, fashion providers can deliver personalized notifications directly to the user's electronic device.

Promotions, Invitations & Special Event Notifications

Apple's patent FIG. 4 shows diagram 400 of functions for attracting a user to view a fashion provider. For example, the functions of diagram could be used to initially educate a user about a fashion provider, generate user interest in the fashion provider, and otherwise entice a user to visit with and shop at the fashion provider (e.g., physically visit a store of the fashion provider, shop at an on-line site of the fashion provider, or otherwise view the provider's fashion items).

As indicated above, the application could provide a user with promotions and invitations to special events. The promotions could include, for example, coupons for on-sale items, time-sensitive sale information (e.g., a sale such as "buy this item within the next two hours to receive 25% off!" to incite buyers to come to stores to take advantage of the limited offers), or any other suitable promotions. The invitations could include general events for a specific subset of customers (e.g., a "friends and family" event), a personalized event for the user himself, alerts of particular fashion items (e.g., a new collection that has arrived, fashion items now on sale, and the like), or any other suitable fashion item. For example, invitation 402 shows an exemplary invitation to "Preview Fall 2009 Collection" that could be provided via an integrated application on your iPhone. As another example, alert 406 shows an exemplary alert of available fashion items, where the alert could be provided to a user through an integrated application of electronic device 408.

In some embodiments, a user could pre-order or reserve fashion items of interest. For example, a user may select a fashion item from the fashion iPhone app's interface. The user may then choose to pre-order the fashion item and have the fashion item delivered to them (e.g., mailed to their home), or the user may pick up the item at a local store. As another example, a user may reserve the selected item. For example, the user could reserve a desired fashion item in a particular size or color. The user may then come to the fashion provider's store to view the reserved fashion item in-person or to try on the reserved fashion item.

Browsing the Virtual Store

Apple's patent FIG. 5 shows diagram 500 of functions available to a user for browsing a store on their iPhone. For example, the functions of diagram 500 can provide a user with enhanced information regarding one or more fashion items of a provider after the user has been attracted to view the fashion provider (e.g., attracted by functions such as those illustrated in FIG. 4).

As shown in diagram 500, a user can receive advice regarding popular items through the integrated application. For example, the integrated application could monitor trends by keeping track of what fashion items people are buying. In this manner, the integrated application could determine what are "hot" fashion items and could provide recommendations of these popular items to the user. For example, interface 502 shows an exemplary interface for providing recommendations of popular items to a user. In some embodiments, the recommendations could be separated into various categories. For example, as illustrated by interface 502, a user could receive recommendations of fashion items that are currently popular as gift items, as leisure items, as luxury items, as jewelry, that are within a certain price range, or recommendations of fashion items that are within any other suitable category.

As shown in diagram 500, the integrated application can provide a user with gift guides, allow a user to generate and update a wish list and a look book, and use social networking features to request and receive feedback from friends or other members of a social network.

To provide for social networking features, the user catalog may be accessible by a social website such as an on-line blog (e.g., Xanga), a news-feed, a personal news-feed (e.g., Twitter), a social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Linkedin, MySpace), or any other suitable social website. Acquaintances, friends, or other members of the social website may then access the user's collection to view the collection, provide feedback on the collection (e.g., comment on fashion items they like or dislike, rate fashion items, or provide other suitable feedback), provide recommendations (e.g., recommend fashion items to complete an outfit), and the like.

Apple's iAds: Enhanced Ads

As is also indicated in FIG. 5, the integrated fashion app could provide fashion item information to a user through enhanced advertisements. For example, an advertisement for a fashion item could be provided through any suitable medium such as an advertisement in a magazine, an advertisement in a newspaper, an advertisement on a bus stop, an advertisement on a poster, an advertisement on a website, or any other suitable medium. The enhanced advertisement could include a barcode or other optical pattern associated with the fashion item. The integrated application may then read and analyze the optical pattern by, for example, taking a picture of the barcode with your iPhone (or other iOS device with a camera) to determine additional, enhanced information associated with the fashion item. For example, the enhanced information could include information such as stores in which the fashion item is currently available, sizes in which the fashion item is currently available, colors in which the fashion item is currently available, price, style, brand, fashion provider, ratings, recommended fashion items to complete an outfit, or other suitable information. The optical pattern can, for example, directly include the enhanced information or can include a serial number or other identifying information allowing the integrated application to access a remote database of associated fashion item information.

Various Screenshots: Sales Assistance, Cross-Selling & Post Purchase

Apple credits Monica Tran, Christine Cho and Stanley Ng as the inventors of patent application 20100191578, originally filed in Q4 2009.

(Apple patently)

Patent Background

Every day people have various articles of clothing, jewelry, purses, and other accessories that they wear and carry. These items could be stored at home in closets, drawers, shelves, or in other storage facilities. However, at times it may be difficult for a person to keep track of their clothing or easily view what items they own. For example, articles of clothing in a closet may be crowded together in a way that makes it difficult to view them, or the clothing may be stored in drawers or otherwise hidden from sight. As another example, a person may lend their clothing or other items to friends, and then forget who has borrowed these belongings. This may make it difficult for a person to organize or keep track of their clothing and other belongings.

Patent Summary

Apple's patent focuses on systems and methods for providing a virtual fashion closet. Girls - The Virtual Closet could soon end up being an app on your iPhone or other iOS device or even on a MacBook or other Apple device.

The Virtual Closet could include a catalog or virtual representation of an actual, physical closet of a user. For example, the Virtual Closet may include images, descriptions, or both of "fashion items" owned by the user. As used herein, the term "fashion item" refers to any article of clothing, accessory, or other suitable item that a person may wear or carry.

In some embodiments, outfits could be created by combining two or more fashion items of a Virtual Closet. For example, an owner of a Virtual Closet could create outfits from the fashion items in the Virtual Closet. As another example, outfits could be created that include fashion items that are not in the Virtual Closet. As one illustration, fashion items that are offered for sale by a third party (e.g., a store or vendor) could be used to build outfits, thus allowing a user to "try out" fashion items prior to buying that fashion item. In some embodiments, a vendor can recommend the user buy a fashion items in order to complete a particular outfit.

In some embodiments, the Virtual Closet could recommend outfits to be worn. For example, the Virtual Closet could recommend outfits based on the weather, based on the day or season, based on events that are scheduled in the user's calendar, or based on any other suitable event. In some embodiments, the Virtual Closet could maintain a history of the fashion items that are worn by a user. The Virtual Closet could identify which fashion items are dirty (e.g., in the laundry) and therefore may be unavailable for wearing.

In some embodiments, a social networking Virtual Closet could be provided. The social networking Virtual Closet could allow friends to see each other's Virtual Closets, recommend outfits to one another, recommend fashion items to buy, recommend fashion items to get rid of, recommend outfits to wear at a particular event, share and borrow each other's fashion items, or could otherwise suitably provide a social networking environment through the Virtual Closet.

Aspects of the Virtual Closet

To clarify, the virtual closet is not about a closet in a virtual world. No, this is about a version of a person's real closet that is able to be seen online or on an Apple device virtually.

The Virtual Closet application could be utilized to create, maintain, edit, update, or otherwise suitably interact with your Virtual Closet. A person may use this Virtual Closet, for example, to build a catalogue or virtual representation of an actual, physical closet which that person owns. For example, the Virtual Closet may include images, descriptions, or both of "fashion items" owned by the user.

The Virtual Closet may include a catalogue of fashion items owned by a user. Each fashion item may be associated with metadata that defines the attributes of that fashion item. For example, the metadata may define attributes such as the fashion item's color, type (e.g., skirt, long-sleeved shirt, necklace, or any other suitable type description), material (e.g., silk), brand, style (e.g., formal, casual, or other suitable style), fit (e.g., loose clothing, tight clothing, or any other suitable fit), season (e.g., winter clothing), weather (e.g., appropriate for rainy weather), date of purchase, laundry status (e.g., whether the clothing is in the laundry and thus may be unavailable for being worn), or any other suitable attributes.

At times the depth of this patent goes a little off the deep end discussing things like the "virtual hamper" that includes fashion items that are currently dirty. Say no more.

Apple's patent FIG. 4 shows interface 400 that could provide a social networking Virtual Closet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Interface 400 allows the owner to name their Virtual Closet as shown in 402 that could indicate the owner of the social networking Virtual Closet. Fashion items, outfits, or both within the social networking Virtual Closet can be searched for by choosing Search Input 414. In some embodiments, friends could provide ratings of the fashion items in the owner's Virtual Closet. For example, friend ratings 420 could depict the ratings that one or more friends have given to fashion item 404.

Social Networking – Coordinating your Clothes with Friends

In some embodiments, a friend could build outfits with fashion item 404 through Recommend Outfits Input 432. For example, the friend could build an outfit that includes fashions items from the owner's Virtual Closet, fashion items from the friend's Virtual Closet, fashion items accessed through a server (e.g., from a vendor's website), any other suitable fashion item, or any combination of the above. The owner may then view the recommended outfit that was built by the friend. In this manner, friends could share outfits and fashion items with one another, provide feedback on each other's outfits and fashion items, and otherwise share opinions and ideas regarding their Virtual Closets.

In some embodiments, friends may also have access to an owner's calendar. In this case, a friend can provide an outfit or fashion item recommendation based on a particular event. For example, a friend may notice that the owner is going to a concert on a particular date. The friend may then build an outfit and provide a recommendation to the owner to wear that outfit to the concert. This may, for example, provide a convenient way for a group of friends to coordinate their clothing. For example, a group of friends may desire to wear the same team t-shirt to a sports game, and may coordinate this effort through the social networking Virtual Closet. As another example, friends may want to coordinate their outfits such that two friends do not wearing the same outfit to the same event (e.g., so two friends do not wear the same dress to the same party).

In some embodiments, an owner could send out a notice to one or more friends requesting outfit recommendations through the social networking Virtual Closet. For example, an owner may be going to a special event on a particular date, but has not decided what clothing to wear. The owner may then send a notice to their friends requesting outfit recommendations for this special event. Friends may then respond to this notice by building outfits for the owner to view. As another example, an owner may have bought a new fashion item, but does not know what outfits can be built from this fashion item. In this scenario, the owner may send a notice to their friends requesting recommendations for outfits that include the new fashion item.

The social networking Virtual Closet could allow an owner to have control over how friends interact with the owner's Virtual Closet. For example, an owner may have control over who is granted access to the Virtual Closet. In this case, it may be necessary for an owner to "invite" a friend before that friend is granted access to the owner's Virtual Closet. As another example, an owner may be able to grant a friend limited access to the owner's Virtual Closet. In this case, the owner may have the option to restrict the friend's ability to leave ratings, restrict the friend's ability to leave comments, restrict the friend's ability to view certain fashion items, or may otherwise suitably limit the friend's access to the owner's Virtual Closet. As another example, the social networking Virtual Closet may allow an owner to block a particular friend, such that this friend cannot access or locate the owner's Virtual Closet.

The Virtual Closet: Borrowing Clothes

Apple's patent FIG. 6 above illustrates interface 600 that could provide for the borrowing and sharing fashion items of a Virtual Closet. Title 602 could indicate the owner who is allowing their fashion items to be borrowed (e.g., "Henrietta"). The fashion items that the owner is sharing could be depicted in Item Column 604. For example, the Item Column could include images of the fashion items that are available for borrowing.

In Apple's patent FIG. 7A we see the View Calendar Input which could generate a calendar view of fashion items that are available for borrowing. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 7A, calendar 700 could include a listing of each day and what fashion items are available to be borrowed on that day. As another example, the calendar could include a listing of each day and who is scheduled to borrow a particular fashion item on this day.

Apple's patent FIG. 8 shows process 800 for providing a social networking Virtual Closet; FIG. 9 shows process 900 for facilitating the borrowing of a fashion item of a social networking Virtual Closet.

Apple credits Christine Cho, Monica Tran and Stanly Ng as the inventors of patent application 20100191770, originally filed in Q3 2009.

Patent Background

As travelers stay in hotels or locations other than their homes, many interactions between the travelers and the hotels could take place. For example, a traveler could interact with a hotel to make a reservation, check-in, order room service, control room settings, use a concierge to identify attractions of interest in the vicinity, purchase entertainment options, check-out, and schedule subsequent aspects of a trip (e.g., order a taxi, reserve a rental car, or check-in to a flight). All of these interactions could require distinct actions from the user from different devices or elements. For example, a user could call to make a reservation, check-in in-person upon reaching the hotel, order entertainment using a menu available from a television screen, and identify attractions from a telephone or through an in-person conversation with a concierge, and check-out by receiving a receipt slipped underneath the user's door.

Although this combination of approaches for interacting with the hotel and with the available hotel services could be serviceable, it remains cumbersome and requires the hotel to accommodate all of the possible forms of interaction. From a user's perspective, the lack of centralization of interactions with the hotel and with the available hotel services could require more effort from the user wishing to take advantage of hotel services, and perhaps even dissuade the user from using available hotel services (thus at a cost to the hotel).

Patent Summary

Apple's patent is about systems and methods for accessing hotel services through an integrated iPhone application for accessing hotel services.

In some embodiments, the integrated application could interface with one or more servers associated with the hotel. For example, the iPhone could connect with distinct servers associated with ordering services or goods from the hotel (e.g., room service), and with distinct servers associated with attractions, shops or stores to allow a user to make reservations, make purchases, or access information. As another example, the electronic device could connect with the controls of a hotel room in which the user is staying to configure aspects of the room such as lighting, temperature, audio settings, video settings, bathtub settings, any other suitable room settings, or any combination of the above.

In some embodiments, the integrated application could allow a user to create, access, and modify hotel reservations. In some embodiments, the integrated application could allow a user to remotely check into a hotel, for example, as a user is approaching the hotel in a taxi. In this case, the iPhone could function as a room key. For example, the iPhone could transmit a signal using an appropriate protocol and radio (e.g., Bluetooth signal or other near field communication) to direct a door to be opened. As another example, the iPhone could display a pattern for an optical reader associated with a door. In some embodiments, through the integrated application a user could pre-order room service or other hotels services, control room settings (e.g., lighting, audio settings, video settings, temperature settings, and bath settings). For example, a user could remotely control the room settings, remotely pre-order room service, or both, before arriving at their room. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device could function as a remote control to allow a user to control room settings and order hotel services while the user is in their room.

In some embodiments, the integrated application could allow a user to view concierge information (e.g., hotel amenities, nearby shops and restaurants, and the like). A user may make reservations and/or purchases at the shops and restaurants through the integrated application. For example, the electronic device could be used to interface with a menu providing access to hotel services (e.g., displayed on the television screen of the user's room, shown on a display of the electronic device, or both). Using the menu, the user could order videos available for purchase, send requests to schedule hotel services (e.g., schedule a wakeup call, make an appointment at the hotel spa, reserve a hotel conference room, and the like), or purchase goods using the existing hotel interface. In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide social networking abilities by allowing a user to locate friends and acquaintances (e.g., in the nearby area).

In some embodiments, the integrated application could allow a user to check out remotely (e.g., by displaying their bill and room charges). In some embodiments, the integrated application could provide other post-checkout functions such as allowing a user to access rewards information, allowing a user to request transportation (e.g., to and/or from an airport), providing bounceback offers, and storing travel receipts (e.g., so a user can be reimbursed for travel expenses).

Below are a series of potential travel itinerary application screenshots as presented in the patent.

Travel Itinerary: Pre-Arrival

Travel Itinerary: Arrival

Travel Itinerary: In-Room

Travel Itinerary: Hotel Amenities & Destination

Travel Itinerary: Post Trip

Future In-Room iPhone Services

The patent provides the view that the iPhone will be able to be docked to an in-room stereo system or other playback devices such as a television and even a Blu-ray player, according to the patent.

Through audio system 800 and video system 900, a user could play video and audio stored on their iPhone through a television, for example, and continue to play the movie that you only half watched on your flight.

In some embodiments, the electronic device could be used to interface with a menu providing access to hotel services.

Apple credits Kaiann Drance, Stanley Ng and Courtnee Westendorf as the inventors of patent application 20100191551, originally filed in Q4 2009.

Patent Background

As travelers use airplanes, trains, buses, and various other travel or transportation services, many interactions between the travelers and the travel service providers can take place. For example, a traveler can interact with an airline to make a reservation, check-in for a reserved flight, obtain pre-flight amenities at the airport, obtain in-flight amenities, and obtain post-flight amenities. All of these interactions can require distinct actions from the user from different devices or elements. For example, a user can call to make a reservation, check-in in person upon reaching the airport, identify airport attractions from a telephone or during an in-person conversation with an airline attendant at the airport, order entertainment or food using a menu available from a television screen or printed menu on the airplane, and gain frequent-flier miles by receiving a receipt after the flight or by entering the necessary information on-line.

Although this combination of approaches for interacting with the airline, or any other travel service provider, and with the available travel services can be serviceable, it remains cumbersome and requires the travel service provider to accommodate all of the possible forms of interaction. From a user's perspective, the lack of centralization of interactions with the travel service provider and with the available travel services can require more effort from the user wishing to take advantage of travel services, and perhaps even dissuade the user from using available travel provider services (thus at a cost to the travel service provider).

Patent Summary

Apple's patent is directed to systems and methods for providing an integrated application for accessing travel services using portable electronic devices.

The electronic device may include an integrated application operative to interface with a travel system to provide access to different services provided by a travel service provider (e.g., an airline, railroad company, bus company, etc.). For example, the integrated application can connect to an airline registration system to allow a user to check-in remotely (e.g., from a taxi on the way to the airport). As another example, the integrated application can provide an arrival notification of a user's arrival to a third party upon the user's arrival at a destination (e.g., when the user's airplane lands). As another example, the integrated application can allow the user to access services available to airline customers, such as airport gate services (e.g., preferred guest lounge and available restaurant options), in-flight services (e.g., in-flight dining and entertainment options), or other services for enhancing a user's airline experience.

The electronic device can interface with the travel system using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, the electronic device can securely connect to one or more servers associated with the travel service provider. For example, the electronic device can connect with distinct servers associated with ordering services or goods from the travel service provider (e.g., train tickets, in-flight entertainment, and the like). As another example, the electronic device can connect with distinct servers associated with attractions or shops proximate the travel service (e.g., restaurants and shops in the airport terminal) for which the user can make reservations, purchases, or access information (e.g., buy a pass for an airline's airport lounge).

In some embodiments, the integrated application can allow a user to access resources to plan a travel itinerary. For example, a user can research potential itineraries, research potential destinations, book a travel reservation, access and modify a booked travel reservation, enter frequent flier information, and receive special offers and promotions.

In some embodiments, the integrated application can allow a user to request upgrades, to check-in remotely, and to enter user preferences. Based on the user preferences, promotions, offers, and upgrades can be presented to the user (e.g., by matching the user preferences to available promotions, offers, and upgrades). Moreover, when a user is at a travel service provider (e.g., at an airport), the integrated application can provide a user with maps of the facilities (e.g., through an integrated or associated mapping application), alert a user of nearby restaurants, shops, and other services, and provide a user with coupons or offers associated with the nearby services. In some embodiments, the electronic device can function as a key to access certain goods or services provided by the travel service provider (e.g., a key to access to an airline's airport lounge, a ticket to board a train, etc.). In some embodiments, the integrated application can help a user find nearby acquaintances or otherwise provide social networking functions.

In some embodiments, the integrated application can control connectivity to in-flight entertainment offered by the travel service provider (e.g., control power, audio, and video available at the traveler's seat, such as from a video console located in the headrest in front of the traveler's seat). In some embodiments, the integrated application can allow a user to access entertainment (e.g., games, movies, music, or other entertainment) directly on their electronic device. Moreover, a user can control aspects of their seating area such as seat adjustments, lighting, air temperature, audio volume, radio channel, television channel, or other aspects through the integrated interface.
In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide arrival notifications. For example, the integrated application can determine the user's airplane has landed, and may then send a notification of the user's arrival to a third party (e.g., to friends or family awaiting the arrival of the user). To determine the user's airplane has landed, the integrated application may determine the electronic device was powered off and then powered back on (e.g., as the electronic device may have been turned off while the airplane was in flight).

In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide post-flight functions for the user such as providing destination information, providing transportation information, providing bounceback and affiliate offers, and storing receipts of associated travel expenses for the user.

Integrated Travel Itinerary Application

Apple's patent FIG. 2 is a schematic view of several situations during which a user could make use of a single, integrated application in the context of a travel itinerary. Through the integrated application, a travel service provider could maintain a constant connection between the travel service provider and the user.

To interface with the travel system, the integrated application could use any suitable approach. In some embodiments, the iPhone could securely connect to one or more servers associated with the travel service provider. For example, the electronic device could connect with distinct servers associated with ordering services or goods from the travel service provider (e.g., train tickets, in-flight entertainment, etc.).

As another example, the iPhone could connect with distinct servers associated with attractions or shops proximate the travel service provider (e.g., restaurants and shops in the airport terminal). When the integrated application has connected to a server, a user may make reservations, purchases, or access information (e.g., buy a pass for an airline's airport lounge) through the integrated application.

Accordingly, through an integrated application of an electronic device, a user could perform different operations to enhance the user's travel experience. Apple's patent FIG. 2 shows diagram 200 of several situations during which a user could make use of a single, integrated application in the context of an airline travel experience – though it could relate to other forms of travel.

The Virtual Service Counter

As shown in patent figure 2 above, the integrated application could be used in planning scenario 202 while the user is planning a travel itinerary (e.g., while booking one or more airline flights). For example, through the integrated application, a user could access a virtual "counter" to book a reservation and access virtual "800 number" and ".com" information related to various travel service providers (e.g., flights offered, prices, available itineraries, airport layouts, or any other suitable information).

As another example, the integrated application could be used in pre-flight scenario 204 before the user's arrival at the initial location of the travel service (e.g., while on the way to the airport) to, for example, allow a user to remotely check-in to their flight or receive e-mails with itinerary updates. The integrated application could be used in airport scenario 206 when the user arrives at the initial location of the travel service provider (e.g., while waiting to board the airplane at an airport). For example, the integrated application could allow the user to access guest lounges, provide gate agent information, or provide any other suitable services. As another example, the integrated application could be used in-flight scenario 208 when the user is traveling. For example, the integrated application could be used to provide entertainment (e.g., a magazine or games) or request flight attendant services. As yet another example, the integrated application could be used in post flight scenario 210 after the user's trip (e.g., after a flight). For example, a user could view, edit, and redeem Frequent Flier miles or other rewards through the integrated application.

Advantages of a Single Integrated Application

Advantages of such a single, integrated application could include, as indicated by diagram 300 of FIG. 3 above, creating a unique experience 302. For example, the integrated application could control the experience a user associates with a brand (e.g., by creating continuity with a certain travel service provider). Advantages of a single, integrated application may also include monetization 304. For example, upgrades and special services that may be purchased by a user could be conveniently offered through the integrated application. Another advantage could include customer retention 306. For example, the integrated application could build customer relations and promote customer retention (e.g., by addressing a traveler's needs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to provide the utmost satisfaction). Yet another advantage could include affiliate opportunities 308. For example, since a portable electronic device's simplicity, affordability, and portability may appeal to a broad scope of travelers, a broad scope of travelers may be using the integrated application. Affiliate companies may then be given the opportunity to reach this wide range of travelers through the integrated application. For example, affiliate opportunities such as hiring a tour guide, purchasing tours, hiring a translator, renting cars from a nearby rental agency, and the like could be presented to a user. In this manner, a single, integrated application could control and enhance the user's experience with that travel service provider.

Planning a Travel Itinerary

Travel Itinerary: Pre-Flight

Apple's patent FIG. 5 is a schematic view of functions available to a user before arriving at the initial location of a travel service provider.

As indicated in diagram 500, a user could make last-minute changes to a certain travel itinerary. For example, a user may realize while they are in-transit to the travel service provider (e.g., while in a taxi going to the airport) that a change should be made to their itinerary. Through the iPhone's integrated application, the user may immediately make the changes to their itinerary, rather than needing to wait until a later point in time (e.g., when the taxi arrives at the airport and the user could speak with a flight agent at the airline counter). Moreover, through the integrated application, a user could view and confirm the details of their itinerary (e.g., confirm the correct gate number). For example, interface 502 shows an exemplary interface for allowing a user to view and confirm a travel itinerary through their iPhone. For example, through an interface such as interface 502, a user could view aspects of their trip such as flight information, car rental information, hotel information, scheduled meetings, scheduled dinners or other meals, and any other information suitable to a travel itinerary. See the patent for more functionality available.

Travel Itinerary: At the Airport

Travel Itinerary: In-Flight

Travel Itinerary: Post-Flight

Apple's patent FIG. 10 shows the iPhone's itinerary app functions available to a user after arriving at a travel destination. For example, the user could access information about the destination airport (e.g., maps to where luggage, taxis, or rental cars may be found), maps and information regarding nearby shops, hotels, attractions, and other amenities, or other suitable destination information. For example, interface 1002 shows an exemplary interfacing allowing a user to access destination information regarding destination location 1004. Through the integrated application, a user may also access transportation information such as information associated with nearby car rental agencies (e.g., addresses, hours of operation, car rental prices, and the like), public transportation (e.g., train information, bus information, taxi information, and the like), and other suitable transportation information.

As is also indicated in diagram 1000, a user could receive and view bounceback offers and offers from affiliate programs.

Apple credits Jeff Maranhas, Stanley Ng and Courtnee Westendorf as the inventors of patent application 20100190510, originally filed in Q4 2009.