Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems that provide an automated augmented-reality facility for determining whether or not personal items and luggage meet airline requirements. In one implementation, a semi-transparent three-dimensional image generated from a model of a personal item or luggage item of the maximum dimensions allowed by an airline is displayed to a user, on a user device that includes a camera, within an electronic image of the real scene encompassed by the field of view of the camera. The user can then position a real personal item or luggage item at a point in space corresponding to the apparent position of the virtual image of the model and compare the dimensions of the real personal item or luggage item to the dimensions of the semi-transparent model volume in order to determine whether or not the real personal item or luggage item meets airline size requirements.

Abstract: The current document is directed to semi-automated service-and-transaction systems that provide information, communications, and transaction services to passengers traveling within various types of vehicles, including commercial airliners. The currently disclosed semi-automated service-and-transaction systems interconnect passenger smart phones, laptops, tablets, and other personal, processor-controlled computing and communications devices with an on-board hub-and-server component and processor-controlled computing and communications devices used by transportation personnel, including flight attendants on commercial aircraft. The on-board hub-and-server component interfaces to a distributed-service-and-transaction application within a remote cloud-computing facility.

Abstract: The current document is directed to an enclosure for electronic equipment that secures the electronic equipment within a storage space, provides ventilation for the electronic equipment, which generates heat during operation, and protects the electronic equipment from mechanical insults while, at the same time, providing access to control features and display features on the front panel of the electronic equipment. The currently disclosed enclosure includes cooling ports that allow for exchange of air between the external environment and the interior of the enclosure. One implementation of the currently disclosed enclosure can be partly disassembled in order to quickly secure the electronic equipment within the enclosure and can then be quickly reassembled for storage.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems, including an automated flight-recommendation-and-booking system that provide accurate, short lists of flights that best match a user's preferences and flight parameters specified by the user. In addition, the automated flight-recommendation-and-booking system learns, over time, to provide the most desirable flights to each user. The currently disclosed systems continuously monitor and store detailed information with regard to users' interactions with the systems, flight information, and other types of information that can be used to more accurately identify suitable flights for particular users.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems, including an automated flight-recommendation-and-booking system that provide accurate, short lists of flights that best match a user's preferences and flight parameters specified by the user. In addition, the automated flight-recommendation-and-booking system learns, over time, to provide the most desirable flights to each user. The currently disclosed systems continuously monitor and store detailed information with regard to users' interactions with the systems, flight information, and other types of information that can be used to more accurately identify suitable flights for particular users.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems that provide an automated augmented-reality facility for determining whether or not personal items and luggage meet airline requirements. In one implementation, a semi-transparent three-dimensional image generated from a model of a personal item or luggage item of the maximum dimensions allowed by an airline is displayed to a user, on a user device that includes a camera, within an electronic image of the real scene encompassed by the field of view of the camera. The user can then position a real personal item or luggage item at a point in space corresponding to the apparent position of the virtual image of the model and compare the dimensions of the real personal item or luggage item to the dimensions of the semi-transparent model volume in order to determine whether or not the real personal item or luggage item meets airline size requirements.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems that provide an automated augmented-reality facility for viewing airline trips. In one implementation, a virtual image of a world globe is displayed to a user, via an augmented-reality method, on a user device that includes a camera, within an electronic image of the real scene encompassed by the field of view of the camera. The user's flights are displayed as arcs connecting flight starting and ending points. The user can rotate the world globe to view flights, spin the world globe continuously, reorient and rescale the world globe, and move around in real space to view the virtual world globe from different perspectives.