Patents by Inventor Robert S. Shaffer

Robert S. Shaffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8788303
    Abstract: A method and system for displaying fare availability involves receiving an identification of an origination location and a destination location for generating a travel itinerary. An availability for each of multiple fare classes is determined for each of multiple time periods. The availability corresponds to the origination location and the destination location. A calendar having a representation of the multiple time periods is displayed. The calendar includes a visual indication of one or more available fare classes for each of the multiple time periods. The calendar can display real time or substantially real time availability information for one or more fare classes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Airlines Co.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Krone, Byron C. Fisher, Steven F. Taylor, Robert S. Shaffer, Kerry R. Schwab, Joyce C. Rogge, Jason A. Chancellor
  • Patent number: 8041036
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the use of data involves creating a first association between a set of labels and a first set of codes, where the set of labels contains information to be displayed on a computer, while each code in the first set of codes is associated with a particular label. An encryption key is linked with the first association. The set of labels, the first set of codes, and the first encryption key are sent to the computer. Later, when codes from the first set of codes and the first encryption key are received back from the computer, the codes returned from the computer are then matched to labels from the set of labels using the first encryption key. Subsequent, different associations between the set of labels and other sets of codes are created, and additional encryption keys are also created to identify the subsequent associations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Southwest Airlines Co.
    Inventors: Mark A. Gerber, Kevin M. Krone, Bradley D. Newcomb, Robert S. Shaffer, Chris Stromberger, Steven F. Taylor