Interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment

• US 6,637,533 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fabrizio Bertone
• Original Assignee: Fabrizio Bertone
• Inventors: Bertone, Fabrizio
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack
• Assistant Examiner(s): TORRES WILLIAMS, MELANIE
• Application Number:
  US09/832,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/168, 180/169, 180/65.1, 180/315, 701/26, 235/383, 235/431, 186/55
• US Class Current: 180/168
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 Personal mobility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/32 Auto pilot mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising: at least one transporting device (10); an interface device (16) provided on the transporting device (10) and arranged for allowing a user to communicate to the system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment; and a driver device designed to drive the transporting device (10) along an optimal path defined according to the needs of the user.

Claims

1. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

at least one transporting device including a seat for a user;

a computer provided on the transporting device, said computer constituting an interface between said transporting device and said user, said computer being configured to allow said user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment, and said computer defining an optimal transporting path within the environment defined so as to satisfy said user'"'"'s personal needs; and

an automated drive system, mechanically associated with said transporting device, said automated drive system being intercooperated with said computer to receive information from said computer regarding said optimal transporting path and thereafter to drive the transporting device along said optimal path.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aforesaid interface is arranged for receiving from the user information on products and/or services available in the environment.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said drive system is an independent, motor-driven system for driving said transporting device along said optimal path responsive to information received from said computer.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aforesaid interface is programmed to provide the user with information on products and/or services available in the environment.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each transporting device is equipped with means designed for receiving a payment via a payment card.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each transporting device is equipped with means for issuing tickets and/or receipts of payment.

7. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

a transporting device having a seat for a user;

a computer, provided on the transporting device, said computer constituting an interface between said transporting device and said user, said computer being configured to allow said user to communicate information to said transporting system regarding his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment, and said computer being configured to receive said information and utilize said information to define an optimal transporting path within the environment to satisfy said user'"'"'s personal needs;

said optimal transporting path being discernible;

a sensor, mechanically associated with said transporting device, said sensor being configured to detect said optimal transporting path and thereafter communicate data regarding said optimal transporting path to said computer; and

an automated drive system for driving said transporting device, said automated drive system being intercooperated with said computer, said computer being configured to receive said data from said sensor regarding said optimal transporting path and thereafter to utilize said data to formulate and communicate instructions to said automated drive system regarding travel along said optimal transporting path, said automated drive system being configured to drive the transporting device along said optimal transporting path responsive to said instructions.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said optimal transporting path is optically discernible and said sensor is a telecamera.

9. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

a transporting device;

interface structure, provided on said transporting device, wherein said interface structure is configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment, wherein said interface structure is programmed to provide the user with information on products and/or services available in the environment; and

an automated drive device, mechanically associated with said transporting device for driving the transporting device along an optimal path defined by said interface structure, according to the needs of the user.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transporting device is equipped with a sensor, configured to detect said optimal path and relay data regarding said optimal path to said interface structure, said interface structure being configured to utilize said data to formulate instructions regarding said optimal path and subsequently to transmit said instructions to said automated drive device, said automated drive device being configured to receive said instructions and utilize said instructions to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.

11. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

a transporting device equipped with means designed for receiving a payment via a payment card;

an interface device provided on said transporting device, said interface device being configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment; and

an automated drive system associated with said transporting device designed to drive the transporting device along an optimal path defined according to the needs of the user.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said transporting device is equipped with an autonomous motor-driven system and driving means designed to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.

13. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

at a transporting device equipped with a device for issuing tickets and/or receipts of payment;

an interface structure provided on said transporting device, said interface structure being configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment; and

a drive structure designed to drive the transporting device along an optimal path defined according to the needs of the user.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said transporting device is equipped with an autonomous motor-driven system and a driving structure designed to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.

15. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

a transporting device;

an interface device provided on said transporting device, wherein said interface device is configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment, said interface device being configured to provide to said user information on products and/or services available in the environment; and

an automated driver device to drive the transporting device along an optimal path defined according to the needs of the user.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said transporting device is equipped with an autonomous motor-driven system and a driving device designed to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.

17. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

at least one transporting device configured for transporting at least one person;

an interface device provided on said transporting device, said interface device being configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment, said interface device being programmed to provide the user with information on products and/or services available in the environment; and

an automated driver device designed to drive the transporting device along an optimal path defined by said transporting system according to the needs of the user.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein each one of said transporting devices is equipped with an autonomous motor-driven system and a driving device designed to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.

19. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

at least one transporting device equipped with a payment-processing device configured to receive a payment via payment card,

an interface device provided on said transporting device, said interface device being configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment; and

an automated driver device designed to drive the transporting device along an optimal path defined by said transporting system according to the needs of the user.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein each one of said transporting device is equipped with an autonomous motor-driven system and a driving device designed to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.

21. An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising:

at least one transporting device equipped with printing device for issuing tickets and/or receipts of payment;

an interface device provided on said transporting device, said interface device being configured to allow a user to communicate to said transporting system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment; and

an automated driver device designed to drive the transporting device along an optimal path defined by said transporting system according to the needs of the user.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein each one of said transporting device is equipped with an autonomous motor-driven system and a driving device designed to conduct said transporting device along said optimal path.