Apple patents iTravel check-in application

Apple continues to expand the parameters of its iPhone platform, now patenting an airport check-in system dubbed iTravel. Patently Apple reports the Near Field Communications-based iTravel application promises to do away with paper ticketing, extending beyond airline check-in to embrace baggage identification, auto rentals, hotel reservation and related travel services--according to the Apple patent, the user's iPhone will interact directly with airline kiosks, baggage systems, boarding gates and even security checkpoints to accelerate and simplify the check-in process. In addition, the iPhone camera would enable users to scan and import ticket data from printed documents.

Apple first filed the iTicket patent in the third quarter of 2008. Patently Apple adds it represents the computing giant's fourth major NFC-related patent this month alone. iTravel appears to complement Apple's proposed Concert Ticket + initiative, another NFC-based effort designed to eliminate paper ticketing for concerts, sporting events and movies, enhancing the consumer experience with the addition of exclusive content, live recordings and merchandise sales as well as discounts on parking and refreshments.

For more on iTravel:
- read this Patently Apple article

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