Communication system

• US 6,803,862 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Connexionz Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Knack Investments Limited
• Inventors: OʼConnor, Michael, Thompson, Aubrey
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/986,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20020049054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/989, 340/990, 340/991, 340/992, 340/993, 340/994, 701/117, 701/207, 701/211
• US Class Current: 340/994
• 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 host system (2) receives uploaded real time bus progress data (20) for bus systems (13). This is determined by the bus system (13) detecting a beacon short range radiation signal from a bus stop systems (11). Uploads are only made if the bus is not running according to the timetable. The host system (2) downloads bus status data (21) for remaining stops (12) on the route. The host system (2) also downloads advertising content to both the bus stop systems (11) and the bus systems (13). This is intelligently processed to select that which is applicable.

Claims

1. A communication system for public transport vehicles, the system comprising:

a host system comprising means for receiving real time vehicle progress data to wirelessly transmit vehicle status data;

vehicle systems for vehicles and comprising means for communication with the host system;

vehicle stop systems for location at each of a plurality of vehicle stops along vehicle routes; and

means in the vehicle stop systems or in the vehicle systems for determining and uploading the real time vehicle progress data to the host system;

wherein

the host system comprises means for downloading software updates in an over-the-air programming mode and means for downloading advertising content, and the vehicle stop systems and the vehicle systems comprise means for receiving and outputting advertising content; and

each vehicle stop system and each vehicle system comprises means for uploading an indication to the host system if operating in a fallback mode, and the host system comprises means for downloading a software update in response.

2. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the host system comprises means for using a software update instruction set including change directory, process termination, process run, file copy, file rename, and file delete instructions.

3. The communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said software update instruction set comprises short symbols representing said instructions, for reliability of remote transmission of instructions.

4. A communication system for public transport vehicles, the system comprising:

a host system comprising means for receiving real time vehicle progress data to wirelessly transmit vehicle status data;

vehicle systems for vehicles and comprising means for communication with the host system;

vehicle stop systems for location at each of a plurality of vehicle stops along vehicle routes; and

means in the vehicle stop systems or in the vehicle systems for determining and uploading the real time vehicle progress data to the host system;

where

the host system comprises means for downloading software updates in an over-the-air programming mode and means for downloading advertising content, and the vehicle stop systems and the vehicle systems comprise means for receiving and outputting advertising content; and

the host system comprises means for polling the vehicle systems and the vehicle stop systems to determine if they are in fallback mode.