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Self-contained vehicle proximity triggered resettable timer and mass transit rider information system

  • US 5,613,216 A
  • Filed: 05/19/1995
  • Issued: 03/18/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A decentralized mass transit rider information system to reduce rider anxiety for use in a mass transit system having a route traveled by at least one mass transportation vehicle in accordance with a posted schedule and having at least one stop on said route visited by said vehicle during that schedule, comprising:

  • a first stationary unit for placement at a first stop, the first stationary unit having a first receiving unit, a first display unit and a first timer unit coupled to said first receiving unit;

    the first receiving unit, the first display unit and the first timer unit being proximally associated with said first stationary unit for placement at said first stop;

    the first receiving unit having means for issuing a first command signal to said first timer unit the first timer unit and first display unit being responsive to said first command signal to repeatedly measure and display a first numerical value indicative of the current elapsed time following receipt of said first command signal;

    a second stationary unit for placement at a second stop, the second stationary unit having a second receiving unit, a second display unit and a second timer unit coupled to said second receiving unit;

    the second receiving unit, the second display unit and the second timer unit being proximally associated with said second stationary unit for placement at said second stop;

    the second receiving unit having means for issuing a second command signal to said second timer unit the second timer unit and second display unit being responsive to said second command signal to repeatedly measure and display a second numerical value indicative of the current elapsed time following receipt of said second command signal;

    a vehicle unit for placement on said vehicle, the vehicle unit having a transmitting unit for causing said first and second receiving units to respectively issue first and second command signals to said first and second timer units when the vehicle passes in proximity to said first and second stationary units;

    wherein said receiving units include means for discriminating between said first and second command signals based on the respective energy levels of said first and second command signals;

    whereby the rider is provided with elapsed time information allowing the rider to estimate the arrival time of the next scheduled vehicle from the posted schedule.

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