US Patent:
20120010912, Jan 12, 2012
Inventors:
Avinash S. Lele - Palo Alto CA, US
Sanjeev R. Kulkarni - Princeton NJ, US
International Classification:
G06Q 10/00
G06Q 50/00
G06Q 30/00
Abstract:
A system and method for enabling passengers to swap seats with other passengers, so that they may obtain seats that appear to be unavailable because they are occupied. Passengers use interfaces to specify their desire and/or willingness to switch seats, including to get better seats, give up their seats for compensation, sit together and/or sit with other passengers, sit away from certain types of passengers, sit next to an empty seat, and the conditions, if any, for switching. A processor runs an algorithm reassigning passenger seats based on the conditions inputted at the interface. Passengers are notified of their new seats, and may be charged or compensated for switching seats.