But there was no mechanism to stop the rise of ticket prices to help pay for this bright new era of top-class players being paid six-figure weekly salaries.

CNN: May 18, 2012 -- Updated 1609 GMT (0009 HKT)

The filing describes a theoretical iTravel app that would store reservation and ticket information for just about any vehicle and stop along the way: planes, trains and (rented) automobiles would just have the traveler tap an NFC-equipped device to hop onboard, and the hotel at the end of the line would also take credentials through a gentle bump.

ENGADGET: Apple nabs patent for NFC-based travel check-in, doesn't quell NFC iPhone rumors just yet