Method and apparatus for providing information on availability of public transportation and method and apparatus for using said information

• US 7,928,864 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2007
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Jun Hyung
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout; Brent
• Application Number:
  US11/845,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 340988-993, 340/994, 340/995.1
• US Class Current: 340/994
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/092 Coding or decoding of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/55 for traffic information

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing public transportation information and using the provided information are discussed. A method for encoding transportation information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention creates information on a bus route, creates information on the current location and availability of each bus running on the bus route, and creates status information containing the created information. A method for encoding transportation information in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention creates information on a bus stop, creates information on the route, current location, and availability of each bus to arrive at the bus stop, and creates status information containing the created information. The constructed status information can be transmitted wirelessly along with containers carrying other types of information such as management or location information.

Claims

1. A method for encoding transportation information, the method performed by an apparatus having a controller, comprising:

creating information on a bus route, on a current location of each bus in service on the bus route and an availability of each bus in service on the bus route;

automatically organizing status information with at least the created information to be transmitted via a sequence of messages and automatically updating the status information,

wherein the created information is classified into route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information,

wherein the status information incorporates the route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information, and

wherein different components of the sequence of messages in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information; and

transmitting the sequence of messages containing the status information,

wherein the created information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of creating includes creating information on a number of buses in service on the bus route.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information on an availability of each bus in service on the bus route includes information on a number of remaining seats of at least one bus in service on the bus route.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information on the bus route includes an ID or number for uniquely identifying the bus route from among a plurality of bus routes.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.

5. A method for encoding transportation information, the method performed by an apparatus having a controller, comprising:

creating information on a bus stop, a bus route, a current location of at least one bus to arrive at the bus stop, and an availability of the at least one bus to arrive at the bus stop;

automatically organizing status information with at least the created information to be transmitted via a sequence of messages and automatically updating the status information,

wherein the created information is classified into route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information,

wherein the status information incorporates the route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information, and

wherein different components of the sequence of messages in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information; and

transmitting the sequence of messages containing the status information,

wherein the created information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of creating the information includes creating information on a number of buses to arrive at the bus stop.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the information on an availability of the at least one bus includes information on a number of remaining seats on the at least one bus.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the information on the bus stop includes an ID for uniquely identifying the bus stop from among a plurality of bus stops.

31. The method of claim 5, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.

9. A method for decoding transportation information, the method performed by an apparatus having a controller, comprising:

receiving a sequence of messages;

extracting status information from the received sequence of messages; and

extracting from the extracted status information, information on a bus route and information on a current location of each bus in service on the bus route and an availability of each bus in service on the bus route, and automatically updating the extracted status information,

wherein the status information is classified into route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information,

wherein different components of the sequence of messages in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information, and

wherein the extracted status information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising

extracting information on each bus stop pertaining to the bus route from the extracted status information.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of extracting includes extracting information on a number of buses in service on the bus route from the status information.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the extracted information on an availability of each bus in service on the bus route includes information on a number of remaining seats on at least one bus in service on the bus route.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the information on the bus route includes an ID or number for uniquely identifying the bus route from among a plurality of bus routes.

32. The method of claim 9, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.

14. A method for decoding transportation information, the method performed by an apparatus having a controller, comprising:

receiving a sequence of messages;

extracting status information from the received sequence of messages; and

extracting from the extracted status information, information on a bus stop and information on a bus route, a current location of at least one bus to arrive at the bus stop, and an availability of the at least one bus to arrive at the bus stop, and automatically updating the extracted status information,

wherein the extracted status information is classified into route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information,

wherein different components of the sequence of messages in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information being, and

wherein the extracted status information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of extracting includes extracting information on a number of buses to arrive at the bus stop from the extracted status information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the extracted information on an availability of each bus in service on the bus route includes information on a number of remaining seats on at least one bus in service on the bus route.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the information on the bus stop includes an ID for uniquely identifying the bus stop from among a plurality of bus stops.

33. The method of claim 14, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.

18. An apparatus for decoding transportation information, comprising:

a demodulator configured to demodulate a received signal and to output a sequence of messages containing public transportation information,

wherein the public transportation information includes status information that includes route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information, and

wherein different components of the sequence of messages in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information;

a decoder configured to extract the status information from each of the messages, and to extract information on an availability of each bus in service on a bus route and information on an availability of at least one bus arriving at a bus stop; and

a controller configured to store the extracted information in a storage unit, to output the stored information or a part of the stored information via an output unit depending on a condition, and to automatically update the status information,

wherein the extracted status information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a location detector configured to detect a current location of the apparatus,

wherein the controller stores in the storage unit status information related to bus stops a predetermined distance from the detected current location of the apparatus among the extracted information.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller, responsive to inputted route selection information, is configured to

read information on a plurality of bus routes, including the route selection information, from the storage unit,

output a list of routes via the output unit,

read from the storage unit information on an availability of at least one bus to arrive at one bus stop located on a bus route selected from the list of bus routes, and

output the information on the availability of the at least one bus to arrive at the one bus stop via the output unit.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller, responsive to inputted route selection information, is configured to

read information on a bus route matched with the inputted route selection information,

read information on an availability of at least one bus to arrive at one bus stop located on the bus route from the storage unit, and

output the information on the availability of the at least one bus to arrive at the one bus stop via the output unit.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller, responsive to user'"'"'s request, is configured to

read information on bus stops from the storage unit and output the information in a form of a bus stop list via the output unit,

read from the storage unit information on an availability of at least one bus in service on one bus route passing a bus stop selected from the bus stop list, and

output the information of availability in a form of a route list via the output unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the information on an availability of at least one bus arriving at a bus stop includes information on a number of remaining seats on the at least one bus arriving at the bus stop.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the output unit presents the stored information or a part of the stored information visually or audibly.

34. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.

25. An apparatus for providing transportation information for a user, comprising:

a decoder configured to extract, from a received signal, information on a bus route and information on a current location of each bus in service on the bus route and an availability of each bus in service on the bus route,

wherein the received signal information incorporates status information classified into route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information, and

wherein different components in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information;

a controller configured to output the extracted information via an output unit in response to a user'"'"'s request, and to automatically update the status information; and

an interface unit comprising a button whose function is to request information on an availability of a bus,

wherein the extracted status information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the controller outputs via the output unit information on an availability of at least one bus in service on a bus route selected by a user, the bus route being a predetermined distance from a bus stop selected by the user.

35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.

27. An apparatus for providing transportation information for a user, comprising:

a decoder configured to extract, from a received signal, information on a bus route and information on a current location of each bus in service on the bus route and an availability of each bus in service on the bus route,

wherein the received signal information incorporates status information which includes route-based information and bus-stop-based bus service information, and

wherein different components in a Bus Service Information (BSI) container carry the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information; and

a controller configured to output the extracted information via an output unit in response to a user'"'"'s request, and to automatically update the status information,

wherein the controller interfaces with an interface unit with a button having a function of requesting information on an availability of a bus when providing information on bus stops or bus routes via the controller,

wherein the extracted status information includes information on a station available for transfer or a bus stop available for transfer that is based on both the route-based information and the bus-stop-based bus service information.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the button comprises a physically fixed key and a text string indicating the function of the button.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the button comprises a touch area on the output unit and a text string indicating the function to be conducted when the touch area is touched, the text string being displayed on the touch area.

36. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sequence of messages includes a sequence of TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group) messages.