Travel Assistant Device

• US 20070034107A1
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Labrador, Miguel, Georggi, Nevine, Perez, Rafael, Winters, Philip, Barbeau, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 8,138,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 104/307
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/123 indicating the position of vehicles, e.g. scheduled vehicles; Managing passenger vehicles circulating according to a fixed timetable, e.g. buses, trains, tramstransmission of navigation instructions to vehicles G08G1/0968

Abstract

A travel assistant device to help individuals use transit systems. The device is particularly suited to help individuals with special needs (i.e. physical or mental disabilities) successfully navigate the transit system through cues that are delivered through the device. In certain embodiments the device utilizes a global positioning system (GPS)-enabled cell phone. The GPS features of the cell phone enable the location of a transit rider to be identified. The wireless communication features of the device allow positional data to be transmitted from the device to a geographic information system and to one or more interested parties to track the location of the transit rider. The device can be integrated with vehicle location systems of a transit system to coordinate the transit of the transit rider. In additional aspects the system facilitates the delivery of signal, cues or other communication to the transit rider to enable the rider to safely and effectively use the transit system without the immediate presence of a guide or supervisor.

Claims

1. A travel assistant system comprising:

a geographic information systems (GIS) module;

a vehicle location system (VLS) module to track the location of one or more transit vehicles, wherein the VLS module is in communication with the GIS module; and

a travel assistant device comprising a sensor module to track the location of a transit rider and a wireless communication system module in communication with the sensor module and the geographic information systems module, the wireless communication module providing two-way communication between the sensor module and the GIS module.

2. The travel assistant system according to claim 1 further comprising a remote terminal in communication with the wireless communication system module and the database module, wherein the remote terminal allows one or more persons to monitor the transit of the transit rider.

3. The travel assistant system according to claim 2 wherein the remote terminal is in communication using the internet.

4. The travel assistant system according to claim 3 wherein the remote terminal is adapted to facilitate communication from the one or more persons to the transit rider.

5. The travel assistant system according to claim 1 further comprising a database module in communication with the GIS module and the wireless communication module wherein the database module stores rider or transit system information.

6. The travel assistant system according to claim 1 wherein the GIS database module transmits substantially real-time information on the status or location of one or more transit vehicles to the travel assistant device.

7. The travel assistant system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless communication module comprises a cellular telephone.

8. A travel assistant system comprising:

a geographic information systems (GIS) module;

a vehicle location system (VLS) module to track the location of one or more transit vehicles, wherein the VLS module is in communication with the GIS module; and

a travel assistant device comprising a sensor module to track the location of a transit rider and a wireless communication system module in communication with the sensor module and the geographic information systems module, the wireless communication module providing two-way communication between the sensor module and the GIS module; and

a remote device in communication with the wireless communication system module and the database module, wherein the remote terminal allows one or more persons to monitor the transit of the transit rider.

9. The travel assistant system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless communication module comprises a cellular telephone.

10. A travel assistant device comprising:

a sensor module to track the location of a transit rider;

an interface module to prompt a transit rider; and

a wireless communication module in communication with the sensor module, the interface module and a travel assistant system, wherein the wireless communication system module receives signals or information of interest for the transit rider from the travel assistant system and transmits the signals or information to the interface module.

11. The travel assistant device according to claim 10 wherein the wireless communication module is further in communication with one or more remote devices, wherein the one or more remote devices facilitate communication between the transit rider and a person at a distant location.

12. The travel assistant device according to claim 11 wherein the wireless communication module is connected to one or more remote devices via the internet.

13. The travel assistant device according to claim 11 wherein the wireless communication module is adapted to receive predefined prompts from the one or more remote devices and transmit the prompts to the interface module.

14. The travel assistant device according to claim 10 wherein the interface module prompts the transit rider responsive to transit system status information.

15. The travel assistant device according to claim 10 wherein the interface module prompts the rider to take actions selected from the group consisting of preparing to exit the transit vehicle, signaling by the transit rider for a stop of transit vehicle, contacting a caretaker and taking action responsive to missing the transit rider'"'"'s intended stop.

16. The travel assistant device according to claim 10 wherein the interface module displays landmark images to help a transit rider identify their destination.

17. The travel assistant device according to claim 10 wherein the interface module displays directions or maps to guide a transit rider to their destination.

18. The travel assistant device according to claim 10 wherein the wireless communication module comprises a cellular telephone.