SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING BOARDING INFORMATION AND GENERATING ORGANIC VIRTUAL GUIDE, CORRESPONDING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEMORY - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for processing boarding information to generate an organic virtual guide 130. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for processing boarding information to generate an organic virtual guide 130. The present invention further relates to a computer readable memory containing a computer program for processing boarding information to generate an organic virtual guide 130.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure is in the fields of data and information processing, resource planning, organization and allocation, and personnel transportation logistics.

[0002] Introduction The present disclosure relates to a system and method for processing boarding information in an airport infrastructure to generate an organic virtual guide aimed at optimizing resources, in particular time and human resources, by informing, organizing and directing people for accessing and / or boarding aircraft and other locations with correct sequence of occupancy and sequencing of occupancy. [Background technology]

[0003] Driven by constant pressures driven by the need to simultaneously improve efficiency, profitability and passenger satisfaction, airlines are under ever-increasing pressure and are seeking to optimise time, in particular reducing ground time.

[0004] Although the boarding step is only one part of a much wider and more complex aviation process, it is one of the most important and costly events. A significant reduction in boarding time reduces the aircraft's ground time and the physical occupation of the airport, thereby reducing logistics and operational costs as well as labor demands, improving the use of ground facilities and reducing polluting emissions.

[0005] Finally, since the boarding process has a direct and significant impact on passengers' quality perception of the service provided, adopting an optimized boarding strategy benefits not only airlines, but also the environment, airport operators and passengers as a means of ensuring passenger comfort and loyalty.

[0006] Technological logistics solutions that aid in the quest to reduce boarding times, and thus aircraft ground time overall, have been a challenge for technicians and engineers around the world for several years.

[0007] prior art From the prior art, various solutions are known for organizing queues and directing and guiding individuals to enter and leave the queue according to a set of predefined rules, such as for example the solution disclosed by US Pat. No. 5,399,323, which describes a method and a system for intelligent queue management using virtual destination locators and guiding queue members using pre-assigned final destination assignments. The guidance places the queue members in a sequence and then guides them to their final destination by moving the virtual destination location according to the sequence.

[0008] Essentially, the method of the patent is intended to manage the entry of queue members through an entrance and includes the steps of identifying a number of queue members, each member having an assigned final destination, mapping each final destination to a virtual destination location, guiding each queue member towards its corresponding final destination through a step of determining the order in which the queue members should pass through the entrance using the virtual destination location, and controlling the queue members using the virtual destination location such that each queue member does not delay other queue members in the order as it moves to its respective final destination. The boarding order is determined by managing a row (row n) that is farther from the entrance than the row (row m) closer to the entrance and that is not yet occupied by a passenger, i.e., that is always in the row group from far row (n-1) to near row (m-1), according to a "back to front" boarding parameter, until its seats are filled.

[0009] It should be noted that the solution proposed by US Patent No. 5,999,366 has several drawbacks: despite providing regular updates of instructions given to passengers, the system will only call for the next group to board after the ground boarding agent (or equipment) has signalled that a particular group has fully boarded, so said system updates depend on specific instructions to update boarding conditions given by the airline's ground boarding staff, either manually or via a boarding pass reading device, which can slow down the process.

[0010] On the other hand, coding the boarding status or boarding conditions, for example using the acronyms P, E, PBP, and NS, and projecting them on the boarding plan so that they are visible to passengers, would not be interesting for each passenger since each passenger is interested in boarding themselves, and could confuse passengers, ultimately resulting in an indecisive situation and therefore delaying boarding.

[0011] Moreover, as seen above, the upgrade sequence always considers consecutive row groups, resulting in little or no room for boarding safety and comfort. Considering the example of US Pat. No. 5,999,433 of an aircraft with rows "m" to "n", the system and method starts by instructing passengers to board from the farthest row "n", e.g. row number 30, to the closer row "m", e.g. row number 26, and boarding starts from a set of rows from row 30 ("n") to row 26 ("m"). After the farthest row "n", i.e. row 30, is boarded, the boarding agent (or equipment) activates an update, and after the update, the system starts calling passengers from row "n-1" to row "m-1", i.e. row 29 to row 25, and after row 29 is boarded and a new update from the boarding agent is made, the system starts calling row 28 to row 24, and so on. This solution only considers the situation of passengers at or near the entrance of the aircraft, ignoring how passengers in the boarding area of ​​the airport and passengers already on board are accommodated, and therefore does not solve the problem of space being occupied in the aisle by passengers standing and / or accommodating their luggage or baggage and / or standing up again to make it available for another passenger.

[0012] Although the '1999 patent cites projecting the boarding plan onto the ground, it does not mention or suggest how the projection should be performed, specifically how the projection updates should behave in the absence of passenger movement or in the case of a displacement or movement different from that expected. Thus, the '1999 patent does not teach or suggest organic movement guidance for passengers on board that can adapt to actual situations and their routine exceptions.

[0013] Another solution for sequential boarding, also with the drawbacks of passenger congestion and discomfort explained above, is the solution disclosed by US Pat. No. 6,239,363, which presents and describes a device for preparing passengers to board a transport vehicle in the correct order, discloses a device for guiding and directing passengers in a departure lounge according to the boarding order, provides for the use of projections on the ground, walls, ceilings, etc., but without further details. Moreover, US Pat. No. 6,239,363 does not teach or suggest an organic guidance for passenger movement during boarding.

[0014] Patent document 3 describes a method and device for aircraft boarding that uses a ground projection of the aircraft seating configuration to allow each passenger to know in advance his / her position in the departure lounge according to the aircraft boarding sequence, also from back to front and from window to aisle. In addition to requiring a significant amount of space in the airport departure area, the solution of Patent document 3 does not take into account the space status of passengers already on board, relies on specific commands to command / start boarding, and does not explain how the boarding conditions are updated. There is also no mention of organic passenger movement guidance during boarding.

[0015] The solution disclosed by US Pat. No. 5,399,633 describes similar in-order boarding conditions, but results in similar drawbacks, and unlike the above document, this document provides for the use of carpets or runners, which must be physically handled by the ground staff, resulting in inconveniences that do not require further elaboration.

[0016] Finally, it is also worth mentioning the methods currently adopted by airlines, from simple single or multiple queue boarding to group or category boarding. The first type does not require any further comments, as it has obvious disadvantages of traditional boarding. As for the group or category boarding methods, for example, boarding first the passengers in the window seats, then the passengers in the middle seats and finally the passengers in the aisle seats, or boarding is carried out by subdividing the plane into two parts, the rear and the front, starting with boarding the passengers from the rear and then boarding the passengers from the front, but these methods also do not eliminate passenger congestion and long waiting times, taking into account both standing and sitting times both on the ground and in the aircraft.

[0017] It is noted that none of the relevant prior art methods simultaneously enable passengers upon boarding to (i) know or understand their turn to enter the aircraft, (ii) have flexible and sufficient physical space to move around on the ground, and (iii) have control over their access to the aircraft without delaying the boarding of other passengers.

[0018] Furthermore, current techniques do not teach the use of projections to guide boarding with simultaneous organic movement of this projection in response to passenger movement, much less the use of projections in waves formed by groups of passengers.

[0019] It is also worth noting that none of the solutions known from the aforementioned prior art are intuitive enough to make boarding an easier task for passengers, improving airline user experience and reducing the burden on boarding crew and ground agents.

[0020] As can be inferred from the above discussion, there is scope for corresponding systems, methods, apparatus, as well as computer programs which overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and present a simple and economical solution that is intuitive for both users and operators, easy to install, flexible, fits into and does not impair the existing airport infrastructure, and is capable of reducing passenger waiting times, facilitating passenger sorting and handling in an organic manner towards boarding, and above all reducing aircraft ground time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0021] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0206353 [Patent Document 2] DE 102009058848 A1 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2016 / 22209 [Patent Document 4] Chinese Patent No. 104386261 [Patent Document 5] International Application No. PCT / BR2019 / 050026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0022] Therefore, one object of the present disclosure is a system for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide according to the features of claim 1 of the appended claims.

[0023] Another object of the present disclosure is a method for processing boarding information to generate an organic virtual guide according to the features of claim 10 of the appended claims.

[0024] Another object of the present disclosure is an apparatus for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide according to the features of claim 28 of the appended claims.

[0025] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a computer readable memory comprising a computer program for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide according to the features of claim 29 of the accompanying claims.

[0026] Further features and feature details are set out in the dependent claims.

[0027] In order to better understand and visualize the objectives of the present disclosure, the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which depict technical effects obtained by exemplary embodiments, not limiting the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial top view of the interior of an exemplary aircraft for purposes of illustration and detailed description of the systems, methods, apparatus, and computer readable memories disclosed herein, showing a first wave divided into eight passenger groups. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an information / instruction display device as disclosed herein showing a starting image. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for projecting a carpet-like virtual guide as disclosed herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system for projecting a carpet-like virtual guide as disclosed herein, with a passenger positioned on the carpet. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the virtual guide of FIG. 4 illustrating the system's reading and identification of passengers on the carpet, specifically the last passenger of each carpet crossing, in the boarding direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the virtual guide of FIG. 4 showing the first passenger leaving the carpet and the corresponding cloth moving towards aircraft access. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the virtual guide of FIG. 6, illustrating successive boardings and corresponding movement of crosses toward access to the aircraft. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the virtual guide of FIG. 6 illustrating successive boardings and the movement and size changes of the crosses according to the position of the last passenger at each cross. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the virtual guide of FIG. 6 illustrating the final stages of boarding, the movement and change in size of the crosses according to the position of the last passenger at each cross, and also showing the final cross indicating the completion of the boarding procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of non-limiting illustration. These embodiments are described to enable those skilled in the art to reproduce their results. Other embodiments resulting from structural, mechanical, logical, electrical, and electronic changes are possible and may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be interpreted as limiting or restrictive.

[0030] The present disclosure relates to a system and method, as well as corresponding equipment and computer programs, for processing boarding information in an airport infrastructure to generate an organic virtual guidance aimed at optimizing resources, in particular time and human resources, by informing, organizing and guiding people for accessing and / or boarding aircraft and other places with correct sequence of occupancy and sequencing of occupancy, in short, guiding passengers with instructions and directions on how to proceed by continuously and organically displaying the seat (A) number and / or row number and / or group number and / or wave number for boarding according to each situation and selected boarding regime.

[0031] In the context of this disclosure, the term "organic" refers to how the virtual guide of the present invention moves: the advancement of different segments or cloths of the carpet-like guide is controlled by the advancement of people placed on it, thus responding to passenger movements, and thus being naturally dynamic or organic like a living organism.

[0032] In the context of this disclosure, the definition of "occupancy and sequencing of occupancy in the correct order" refers to the accommodation of people with a predefined destination and access sequence, for example in aircraft and other means of collective transport. In a broader context, it should be understood that the systems and methods herein may also be extended to theaters, cinemas, gyms, supermarkets, and other locations and situations that ultimately require specific occupancy and / or a sequenced occupancy sequence of the space that people are to occupy. In any case, the disclosure is described based on the example of an aircraft boarding procedure, but as stated above, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection.

[0033] Also, in the context of this disclosure, the term "seat" refers to the ultimate accommodation for each occupant of an aircraft, which may be an armchair, bench, sofa, chair, and other means of supporting and accommodating people, and the term "row" refers to one or more groupings and / or divisions and / or subdivisions of seats.

[0034] On the other hand, the term "group" as used herein refers to a group and / or a division and / or subdivision of people having access to an aircraft, which may be a group formed by one or more people having qualitative and quantitative characteristics according to the means of transport concerned, i.e. the number, grouping and physical arrangement of available seats within the means of transport.

[0035] Also, the term "wave" as used herein refers to one or more sets of one or more groups of people, as described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,399,633, which is incorporated herein by reference, and which addresses a method for emerging by a wave formed by a group.

[0036] System according to the present disclosure The system for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide disclosed herein assumes a physical airport structure and at least one boarding area of ​​the physical airport structure; (i) one or more servers; (ii) one or more processors; (iii) one or more communication and data networks; (iv) one or more databases; and (v) one or more sets of information; (vi) one or more instruction sets; (vii) one or more information / command acquisition devices (110); (viii) one or more information / instruction display devices (120); and (ix) at least one computer program stored on a computer readable medium; (x) finally and additionally, any and all devices and / or equipment necessary for the operation of the system performing the method for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide; Equipped with.

[0037] The servers, processors, databases, information / instruction acquisition devices (110), information / instruction display devices (120), and other devices and / or equipment are all interconnected by one or more communication data networks. Images and data are stored as one or more electrical signals, and processing of these signals is performed by one or more components of the systems disclosed herein.

[0038] server In the context of this disclosure, a server is a software or computer with one or more centralized computing systems or one or more data processing centers that provide or store services and resources in and through a communication data network. A server includes one or more electronic processors capable of executing tasks from computer programs stored in a computer-readable medium, preferably a computer equipped with a processor, memory for data storage, and connections to one or more communication data networks, and to one or more remote databases and / or local and / or centralized and / or decentralized and / or cloud information storage and retrieval environments, and also equipped with all the usual peripherals of the prior art capable of exchanging information with electronic and physical media, interfaces, applications, mobile devices, other memory devices, etc.

[0039] The servers may be at least a web server that delivers or serves web pages, an application server that handles application operations between users and applications or databases, a cloud server, a database server, a file server, a service server, a game server that implements games or services for games, and a media server that provides media such as video or audio streaming.

[0040] The systems disclosed herein may include one or more processors for processing commands and information in accordance with computer program instructions and one or more memories for storing information in one or more data structures, and may be a centralized boarding control system or network, such as, but not limited to, a server run privately by a third party or by the same entity running the server.

[0041] The system may also be considered a publicly accessible network system (e.g., a distributed, decentralized computing system). Each processor includes a memory for storing information and data and may execute one or more programs for performing various functions related to the systems and methods disclosed herein.

[0042] Processor In the context of this disclosure, a processor is a central processing unit or CPU that executes the instructions of a computer program by processing and performing arithmetic and logical operations and data input and output, the computer program being stored on a computer readable medium, the central processing unit or CPU having a memory for data storage and connections to one or more communication data networks, as well as to one or more remote databases and / or local and / or centralized and / or decentralized and / or in-cloud information storage and retrieval environments, and also equipped with all the usual peripherals of the prior art capable of exchanging information with electronic and physical media, interfaces, applications, mobile devices, other memory devices, etc.

[0043] The processors disclosed herein may be one or more modules, form part of one or more modules, or be divided into one or more modules. As used herein, the term "module" refers to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, processor (shared processor, dedicated processor, or group of processors), and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs. The term "module" also refers to a combination of logic circuitry and / or other suitable components capable of providing the associated functionality.

[0044] Telecommunications Data Network The communication data network is a centralized or distributed network that interconnects one or more active or passive components of the system disclosed herein. The servers, processors, central data processing, databases, as well as the display devices (120) and the acquisition devices (110) may be connected to one or more airport communication data networks, physical memories, clouds, etc., the Internet, one or more clouds and / or programs, computer terminals, mobile devices, telephone devices, ticket and boarding pass readers, credit cards, NFC or BLE devices, check-in counters, travel agents, in short, any equipment or interface required directly or indirectly to perform the methods disclosed herein.

[0045] The communications data network may include any wired or wireless connection, the Internet, or any other form of communication, and may include any number of different communications data networks between any of the servers, devices, resources, and systems, and / or other servers, devices, resources, and systems described herein. The communications data network may enable communication between various computing resources or devices, servers, and systems, and may employ various types of networks, such as, but not limited to, computer networks, telecommunications networks (such as cellular telephone devices), wireless mobile data networks, wired, wireless, and related data networks, and any combination thereof, and / or other networks.

[0046] Database A database as disclosed herein is any set of data, files, information, instructions, and records that form an organized collection of interrelated data and that can be accessed, served, and managed by a data processing center as disclosed herein.

[0047] Information Set An information set as disclosed herein is a set of data acquired and / or transmitted and / or stored by and in one or more of the components of the system disclosed herein, including all passenger related information and information related to boarding an aircraft (AE) at an aviation facility. Non-limiting examples of such information are airline data, aircraft data (AE), boarding schedules, data from ground and in-flight staff, passenger data, and other information related to airport operations.

[0048] Airline data includes, but is not limited to, information about airlines, terminals and boarding gates, schedules, baggage restrictions, and other related information.

[0049] Aircraft data (AE) includes, but is not limited to, equipment type, number of seats (A), maximum occupancy, cargo capacity, and other relevant information.

[0050] Boarding regime refers to information regarding the boarding method selected, such as, but not limited to, the number of passengers boarding, number of gates and boarding gates, occupancy rates, group and / or wave formation, priority boarding, preferential boarding, class boarding, boarding for other specific subcategories of each airline, and other related information.

[0051] Data from ground and on-board staff refers to all relevant and necessary data from people involved in the boarding procedure.

[0052] Passenger data may include, but is not limited to, the number of passengers, the location of each passenger's desired destination, their initial location before boarding, their location while on board before accessing the gate or aircraft (AE), travel patterns, any privileges, restrictions, priorities, age, height, and other relevant information.

[0053] Information related to airport operations includes, but is not limited to, runway conditions, weather conditions, boarding times, delays, updates and / or changes to boarding information (e.g., boarding gate, boarding time changes, etc.), and other related information.

[0054] Instruction Set The instruction sets disclosed herein include one or more sequential and / or non-sequential single instructions and / or repetitive instructions, which are acquired and / or transmitted and / or stored by and in one or more of the components of the systems disclosed herein.

[0055] The instructions may be executed and / or stored by and in the servers, processing centers, information display devices (120), and information acquisition devices (110), and may also be stored in one or more databases or other computer-readable volatile or non-volatile storage media.

[0056] The set of instructions may also be a set of steps and sub-steps of the methods disclosed herein to be performed by the systems disclosed herein.

[0057] Information / command acquisition device The information / command acquisition devices or simply acquisition devices (110) disclosed herein are the interface between the system and users and / or airport infrastructure and may include any device capable of processing and storing data and / or information and communicating over a communications data network, including physical, analog, digital, and optical sensors, including cameras, lasers, reflectors, light barriers, conventional radar, compatible Doppler radar, etc., and combinations thereof, as well as unique, dedicated or shared information display devices (120), such as monitors or auxiliary support displays distributed throughout the airport infrastructure environment.

[0058] The sensor may be, for example, a sensor configured to detect physical activity of one or more users of the system disclosed herein that is operably and / or communicatively connected to one or more of the devices of the system.

[0059] Thus, the acquisition device (110) may comprise any device capable of processing and storing data and / or information and communicating over a communications data network, and may include personal computers, servers, code readers, telemetry, biometrics, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, smart devices (smart watches, smart TVs, etc.). Each information acquisition device (110) may include one or more memories for storing information and data and may execute one or more programs to perform various functions associated with the systems and methods disclosed herein. The acquisition device (110) is a device that is interconnected with one or more components of the systems disclosed herein.

[0060] The acquisition device (110) is a component located in the airport infrastructure and / or in the aircraft (AE), placed directly on the ground and / or suspended above the ground and / or attached to a suitable support. The acquisition device (110) may further include portable and / or mobile components.

[0061] Information / Command Display Devices(120) The information / command display device (120) or simply display device (120) of the system disclosed herein is the interface between the disclosed system and the users and / or airport infrastructure, and includes a set of visual signaling formed by devices capable of projecting and / or emitting and / or displaying images and light, as well as emitting visual and audio signals, and is directly connected to the data processing center. These devices include, but are not limited to, image projection equipment and peripherals such as projectors, screens, TVs, monitors, light cannons, general lighting, and other corresponding similar elements.

[0062] The display device (120) may include any device capable of processing and storing data and / or information and communicating over a communications data network, and may include personal computers, servers, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, smart devices (e.g., smart watches, smart TVs), code readers, telemetry, and biometrics.

[0063] Each display device (120) may include one or more memories for storing information and data and may execute one or more programs to perform various functions associated with the systems and methods disclosed herein. The display device (120) is a device that is interconnected with one or more of the disclosed system components.

[0064] The display device (120) is a component located in the airport infrastructure and / or in the aircraft (AE), either directly on the ground and / or suspended above the ground and / or attached to a suitable support. The display device (120) may further include portable and / or mobile components.

[0065] Computer Programs The computer program disclosed herein is a set of instructions stored on a computer readable medium and executable on a system disclosed herein to perform the methods disclosed herein.

[0066] System operation - Organic virtual guide The system disclosed herein, given information and instructions and having access to information, instructions, and updates to said information and instructions, forms a naturally dynamic and organic virtual guide, also called a virtual carpet, as a result of the interaction of one or more of its components performing one or more tasks and sub-tasks, which may be sequential or non-sequential as needed and depending on the boarding conditions, and which may ultimately repeat themselves individually or in groups.

[0067] The tasks and sub-tasks are performed at any given time according to one or more instructions of the system disclosed herein, according to the disclosed methods, based on one or more of the system information disclosed herein, directly or indirectly using one or more of the disclosed active or passive system components.

[0068] The major steps of the system operation include, but are not limited to, at least one pre-boarding step, at least one boarding step itself, and at least one boarding completion step, each of which includes at least one sub-step.

[0069] The virtual guidance for executing these steps is a naturally dynamic and organic motion virtual guidance that matches the passenger movement during the boarding procedure on the aircraft (AE).

[0070] The virtual guide can be displayed on the ground via a display device (120) placed below the passenger, or projected onto the ground via a projector located above the passenger. In either situation, and even in the case of a combination of these solutions, the number of display devices (120) and / or projection devices below and / or above the passenger must be such that no shadows or areas with poor display (120) are formed.

[0071] The virtual guide has the form of a dynamic carpet formed by adjacent polygonal crosses, each cross showing one or more seats (A) and / or one or more rows of seats (A), on each cross the passenger places himself / herself when boarding. After the boarding movement is started by the passenger placing himself / herself on the cross, the cross, with the aid of acquisition devices (110) (sensors) placed on the ground and / or on and / or beside the passenger, together with a computer program or application on board or accessed via a data processing center, adaptively moves following the passenger movement, identifies the passenger by separating the passenger from other objects detected, counts and organizes the number of people who are / are on the virtual guide, detects the movement of people and follows the flow and speed of each passenger and set of passengers, and advances in real time instructions for the boarding order and for the movement of adjacent crosses according to the monitored flow and speed.

[0072] The virtual guide basically displays passengers' orders and instructions on how to proceed according to the given execution steps, i.e. sequentially displaying the seat (A) number and / or row number and / or group number and / or wave number to be boarded according to the respective situation and the selected boarding configuration.

[0073] The system disclosed herein implements a virtual guide in the form of a mat projected on or through the ground, with the sequence of seats (A) or seat rows (A) represented by polygonal blocks according to a selected aircraft (AE) layout, preferably both upstream and downstream, with alternating colors or other means to visually distinguish adjacent blocks.

[0074] Upon boarding, the blocks (rows) are rearranged in a predefined sequence for said aircraft (AE) and blocks that have no assigned passengers and / or are occupied only by priority passengers may be eliminated by adjusting the size (surface area) of the projected blocks depending on the number of passengers in each row.

[0075] To eliminate shadow areas, the system uses one or more projectors to present an initial block that occupies the entire projection area.

[0076] Finally, the monitor may display a mirroring of the boarding area along with the next virtual matte block to be displayed, serving as information to passengers.

[0077] The virtual attendant is located in the boarding area of ​​the physical airport structure, preferably an airport lounge adjacent to the boarding gate, from which location boarding coordination occurs according to the methods disclosed herein.

[0078] Methods disclosed herein The data processing center, once given the above information, is then ready to manage the system and facilitate the information, organization and guidance of people to access and board the aircraft (AE), which specifically includes management of the entire system according to the present invention by executing the methods disclosed herein.

[0079] The method disclosed herein for processing boarding information to generate an organic virtual guide essentially comprises three main method steps: A. Boarding preparation steps; B. Boarding steps; C. Boarding completion step and Includes.

[0080] Each major step of the methods disclosed herein may include one or more method sub-steps, which may be sequential or non-sequential, and may be repeated individually or in groups, as desired and depending on the boarding conditions.

[0081] All steps and sub-steps of the methods disclosed herein are always performed in accordance with one or more instructions of the system disclosed herein, using one or more of the system information disclosed herein, directly or indirectly using one or more of the active or passive system components disclosed herein.

[0082] Interaction between the system components during the performance of the methods disclosed herein occurs through mutual communication over one or more communication data networks. Images and data are stored as one or more electrical signals, and processing of these signals is performed by one or more of the disclosed system components.

[0083] In the context of this disclosure, the term "query" refers to a query to data, information, and instructions available / stored in the servers, processors, databases, and display device (120) and / or acquisition device (110) performed by one or more system components and / or by one or more authorities in charge of boarding or involved in the boarding process, which may also include one or more passengers.

[0084] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "activate" refers to activation and / or instructions of a server, processor, database, display device (120) and / or acquisition device (110) performed by one or more system components (e.g., activating a task of storing information in a database via a processing center or activating a display device (120) via an acquisition device (110), going through a server and then storing the respective information in a database, etc.) and / or by one or more authorities in charge of boarding or involved in the boarding procedure, which may also include one or more passengers. The term "activate" as an instruction may be a command to start or end one or more operations of one or more systems.

[0085] In the context of this disclosure, the term "receive" means to receive information or instructions, which may be a relationship between one or more system components with respect to one another, or a relationship between one or more system components and one or more authorities in charge of boarding or involved in the boarding process, which may also include one or more passengers.

[0086] In the context of this disclosure, the term "process" refers to the processing of one or more information and / or instructions by one or more system components, including determining (determining) and deciding (determining) sequences of actions, passenger guidance, interpretation of information / instructions, and data, which may also include interaction with one or more authorities in charge of boarding or involved in the boarding procedure, which may also include one or more passengers.

[0087] In the context of this disclosure, the term "informing" refers to the sending (communication) or execution by one or more system components to one or more system components of information related to one or more activities of the one or more system components and which may further include instruction information. The term "informing" also encompasses the display (120) and publication of information and instructions by one or more system components, specifically the information display device (120) and the information acquisition device (110).

[0088] In the context of this disclosure, the term "store" means to store data in a storage device or memory so that the data can be later retrieved.

[0089] A non-limiting and merely illustrative example of how the interaction between system components takes place during the execution of the method for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide disclosed in this specification is the initiation of one or more steps / sub-steps by activation via a server and / or via a system processor from an initiation command received from one of the acquisition devices (110) connected to the communication data network, said command being provided and / or commanded, for example, by the airport infrastructure or by ground staff.

[0090] This start command generates an update of a database connected to the communication data network, activates one or more display devices (120) connected to the communication data network, begins displaying the virtual carpet, and calls passengers to board via screens, monitors, and / or sound systems.

[0091] Other acquisition devices (110) connected to the communication data network monitor passenger movements and update databases and processing centers also connected to the communication data network, constantly and repeatedly read passenger positions, compare the read positions with instructions and information from the database and / or the display device (120) and / or the acquisition device (110), and finally generate new instructions for one or more of the components of the system disclosed herein, feed back the database, update the display device (120) and / or the acquisition device (110), e.g., advance the carpet cloth.

[0092] From the above example, the dynamics of the system and method disclosed herein can be seen, where the main steps of the method and its possible sub-steps are detailed.

[0093] To better illustrate the operation of the system disclosed herein, another non-limiting example is used: that of a method of boarding in waves formed by groups, described in US Pat. No. 5,399,323 by the same patentee and inventor as the present invention. The example is an aircraft (AE) with 192 seats (A) with 32 rows of 6 seats (A) each, in which passengers (P) will board in waves formed by groups, and for practical purposes will be described using the first of four waves, formed by 8 groups of 6 passengers each (FIG. 1).

[0094] According to this example described in patent document 5, an aircraft (AE) having 32 rows of 6 seats (A) each, with a distance of 0.75 meters between the rows and with passengers standing in the aisles (C) occupying on average a space corresponding to a circumference of 0.5 meters in diameter around the circumference, has a first group of up to 6 passengers (P) who are destined to occupy seats (A) in row 32, and a second group of up to 6 passengers (P) also intended to occupy a row of at least 6 passengers spaced apart in the above conditions and therefore at least 3 meters or 4 rows away from row 32, i.e. row 28. Similarly, a third group occupies row 24, a fourth group occupies row 20, a fifth group occupies row 16, a sixth group occupies row 12, a seventh group occupies row 8 and an eighth group occupies row 4, at which point boarding of the first wave is completed, with a total of 48 passengers boarding in a sequence of 8 groups of 6 people each. Thus, in this example, four waves are required to complete the aircraft (AE) with six passengers per 24 seats in what is referred to herein as a 6×24 configuration.

[0095] It should be noted that the occupancy of the aircraft (AE) in the example of Patent Document 5 starts from the row furthest from the entrance of the aircraft (AE) to take into account boarding backflow, and that the maximum number of passengers is limited by the number of seats (A) in each row, which should not be considered as a rule restricting the possible boarding methods from the system disclosed in this specification.

[0096] As a complement to the exemplary information, it should be considered that the data processing center receives and has access to airline data, aircraft (AE) data, boarding arrangements, passenger data, and other information related to airport operations. It should be noted that even if the system does not receive data from the airlines, it can be operated using an operating model that is specially configured for cases of lack or interruption of communication and that includes all information related to boarding.

[0097] After these considerations have been made, execution of the main steps and respective sub-steps of the methods disclosed herein commences.

[0098] A. Boarding preparation steps: The boarding preparation steps include, but are not limited to, initialization of the system disclosed herein and preparation for the boarding procedure.

[0099] The boarding preparation step includes the following method sub-steps: A1. Receiving an instruction to begin pre-boarding procedures; A2 Consult and update boarding information / orders; A3 activating the information / instruction display device (120) and starting the projection of a dynamic virtual guide (130) in the form of a virtual carpet; A4. Processing boarding information and instructions and generating and projecting a first virtual carpet (130); A5. Activating the information / command acquisition device (110) to detect and process an image of a first virtual carpet; Includes.

[0100] Sub-step A1 involves receiving an order from the airline and / or from authorities responsible for boarding and / or the airport infrastructure and / or from ground staff and / or on-board staff and / or the like to start the boarding preparation procedure.

[0101] Sub-step A2 includes the query by a server or central processor processing data related to the boarding, such as but not limited to airline data, aircraft (AE) data, boarding arrangements, ground and cabin staff data, passenger data, and other data related to airport operations, in order to update information / instructions. This sub-step A2 can be repeated one or more times, either sequentially or individually or in groups, in order to update information as required, the necessity of this repetition being defined according to each application. In case of lack or interruption of communication, actions will be performed based on pre-stored predetermined information.

[0102] Sub-step A3 includes activating the information / instruction display device (120) and commanding it to start projecting the dynamic virtual guidance to display an initial image, which may be the flight number, the name of the airline, the scheduled boarding time, the first set of adjacent crosses, and / or any information or instruction or graphic or text or image, and may also include information and instructions in the form of a tutorial on how the system works, the boarding order, etc. (Figure 2). It should be emphasized again that the display (120) of the flight, airline, scheduled boarding time information, etc. may be visual or audible or a combination thereof.

[0103] In a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, sub-step A3 further includes activating one or more monitors displaying an initial image, which may be the same as or different from the image of the dynamic virtual guide and may be the flight number, the name of the airline, the scheduled boarding time, the first set of adjacent crosses, and / or any information or instructions or graphics or text or images, and may include information and instructions in the form of a system operation tutorial, boarding order, etc. (FIG. 02).

[0104] Sub-step A4 includes processing the boarding information and instructions and generating and projecting a first virtual carpet (130) formed by adjacent cloths with seat numbers or row numbers or group numbers or wave numbers according to the determined boarding configuration, in a size (surface area) suitable for the number of passengers and in an amount suitable for the space available in the boarding area. The cloths can be polygonal and should preferably have alternating colors and / or visual patterns to facilitate differentiation and attract passengers' attention (Figure 3).

[0105] In the above example, the first cross is a cross of seat (A) in row number 32 (131), followed by a second cross showing seat (A) in row number 28 (132), and so on until the available space in the boarding area is completed (Figure 4). It is noted that the reordering of adjacent crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) in sub-step A4 can also take into account that seats (A) and / or rows that may not have passengers are occupied by priority passengers.

[0106] Considering the boarding example of 8 groups of 6 passengers in a first wave in an aircraft (AE) with 192 seats (A), in sub-step A4, a first virtual carpet (130) is projected with an initial cloth (131) of a given color and / or initial visual pattern, the initial cloth (131) having dimensions, for example but not limited to, 1.20 meters wide by 1.80 meters long and with a numbering indicating row 32 (in the example used, the first group of the first wave), with this shape and size, there is enough space to accommodate the 6 passengers in said row 32.

[0107] Immediately following this first cross (131), another adjacent cross (132) is projected having a different color and / or visual pattern from the first cross for ease of differentiation and to attract passenger attention, and with an indicative numbering for row 28, where the six passengers in row 28 are located, and behind that, another cross is projected (133) indicating row 24, followed by another cross (134) for row 20, another cross (135) for row 16, another cross (136) for row 12, another cross (137) for row 8, and another cross (138) for row 4, preferably with alternating colors and / or visual patterns, thus accommodating 36 passengers within this first static image of the virtual guide (130). The second boarding wave instance used herein follows the same logic, as do the third and fourth waves, etc.

[0108] Other passengers must remain near the guide (130) while waiting for their location to be indicated on the virtual guide. It is important to note that this guide (130) may be of a different size, with a greater number of crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138), to accommodate more passengers (P) and / or provide passengers with more space and / or comfort.

[0109] It should also be noted that passengers (P) may position themselves on the virtual carpet (130) at any point during boarding while their respective cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) are within the projection area.

[0110] In a non-limiting example disclosed herein, sub-step 4 includes removing (ignoring) seats (A) or rows that have no passengers (P) or are occupied only by priority passengers, and adjusting the size of the crosses depending on the number of seats or rows or passengers in the group or wave assigned to each cross.

[0111] In a non-limiting embodiment disclosed herein, sub-step A4 further includes activating one or more monitors (120) that display a mirroring of the projection area together with the next crossings (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130) to be displayed, which serves as information to the passengers (Figure 2).

[0112] Sub-step A5 includes activating the information / command acquisition device (110) to detect and process an image of the first virtual carpet (130) and starting the camera or sensor (110) to detect an image of the displayed or projected virtual carpet (130) in addition to detecting the presence of people and / or objects on the virtual carpet (130).

[0113] It should be further emphasized that sub-step A2 of checking and updating data related to boarding may be repeated in sequence between other steps and sub-steps, or even before other steps, as many times as necessary to update the information.

[0114] Any other sub-steps of the first step may also be repeated alternately with other sub-steps or sequentially before another sub-step, always depending on the specific conditions of each boarding situation and its development, which may include, but are not limited to, access or numbering conflicts, late boarding passengers, priority passengers, airport conditions, etc.

[0115] B. Boarding Steps: The boarding step comprises the following method sub-steps: B1. Receiving an order to begin boarding procedures; B2 Research and update boarding information / orders; B3 commanding the passenger (P) to place himself / herself on the cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the corresponding virtual carpet (130); B4. Reading and detecting the position of a passenger (P) on the cloth (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of a virtual carpet (130); B5 The first and last passenger (P 131 , P 132 , P 133 , P 134 , P 135 , P 136 , P 137 , P 138 ) and identifying it; B6 The last passenger of the first cross (131) (P 131 ) and moving the end of the first cross (131) in the boarding direction by pulling a second (next) cross (132); B7. Repeating sub-step B6 until the last crossing (138) of the virtual carpet (130) and / or boarding is completed. This includes, but is not limited to, the activity of the boarding itself.

[0116] Sub-step B1 involves receiving an order from the airline and / or from authorities responsible for boarding and / or the airport infrastructure and / or from ground staff and / or on-board staff and / or the like to start the boarding procedure.

[0117] Sub-step B2 includes the query by a server or central processor processing boarding related data, such as but not limited to airline data, aircraft (AE) data, boarding arrangements, ground and cabin staff data, passenger data, and other data related to airport operations, to update information / instructions. This sub-step B2 can be repeated one or more times, sequentially or individually or in groups, to update information as needed, the necessity of this repetition being defined according to each application. In case of lack or interruption of communication, actions will be performed based on pre-stored predetermined information.

[0118] Substep B3 involves formally ordering the passengers (P) to place themselves on the cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130) corresponding to them. In the illustrative example used here of an aircraft (AE) with 32 rows of 6 seats each, up to 6 passengers in row 32 must place themselves on cloth 32 (131), up to 6 passengers in row 28 must place themselves on cloth 28 (132), and so on until all the projected cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) are occupied by the respective passengers (P) (Figure 4). It should be noted that the passengers (P) can place themselves on the virtual carpet (130) at any time, which could be during the first activity step or immediately after the start command; all that is required is that their respective cloths are within the area of ​​the projection.

[0119] Sub-step B4 includes reading and detecting the positions of all objects on the reading field (cross) of the virtual carpet (130) from the determination and definition of the reading field by the crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130), filtering objects of interest from the image, identifying the passenger (P) on the virtual carpet (130) and thus the exact position of the passenger (P) and associating the passenger (P) with the crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the carpet (130) on which the passenger (P) is standing.

[0120] This reading, detection and filtering can be done continuously or at a predefined time interval, but always enough to adequately update the system and maintain the fluidity of the next sub-step. If continuous, the possible range of the time interval for the repetition of reading and capturing can be between 0.1 ms and 100 ms, preferably 50 ms, this range depending on the speed and processing and communication capabilities of the system elements.

[0121] Sub-step B5 is to select the first passenger, specifically the last passenger (P 131 , P 132 , P 133 , P 134 , P 135 , P 136 , P 137 , P 138 ) and identify the last passenger (P 131 , P 132 , P 133 , P 134 , P 135 , P 136 , P 137 , P 138 ) with the cross-termination information, thereby detecting changes in position and therefore detecting movement.

[0122] Substep B6 is to find the last passenger (P 131 ), updating the cloth end information, and moving the end of the first cloth (131) towards the boarding direction, thus moving or "pulling" the second (next) cloth (132) also towards the boarding direction, and so on. When the passenger (P) of the first cloth (131) moves towards the access to the aircraft (AE), the passenger (P) leaves the projection and sensing area of ​​the virtual carpet (130) and is no longer detected by the system.

[0123] The last passenger of the first cross (131) (P 131 ) moves, a second (next) cross (132) moves towards the aircraft access (AE) (Figure 6), facilitating the continuous movement or sliding of the crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130) that forms a virtual mat that meets two specific criteria: (i) the beginning of each new cross is connected to the previous (downstream) cross of each new cross, and (ii) the end of each cross waits until the last passenger has moved onto it.

[0124] This ensures that the size (length) of the crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) is the same as the last passenger (P 131 , P 132 , P 133 , P 134 , P 135 , P 136 , P 137 , P 138 ) and its length is directly proportional to this distance with its minimum size depending on the number of passengers (P) in each row (Figure 7) and may be limited to a maximum value depending on the airport facility conditions. 131 , P 132 , P 133 , P 134, P 135 , P 136 , P 137 , P 138 ) determines the end of the crossing of the last passenger as it leaves the system projection and sensing area (Figure 8).

[0125] Using the example of a 192-seat aircraft (AE), when boarding begins, the first passenger located in row 32 starts moving towards the boarding gate on the virtual carpet (130), and the last passenger (P 131 ) starts moving, the movement of the final section of the cross 32 (131) starts, thus shortening the length of the 32nd row cross (131) and increasing the size of the next cross, i.e. the 28th row cross (132).

[0126] Similarly, the section between Cross 28 (132) and Cross 24 (133) is the last passenger (P 132 ) has moved, and so on for all the crosses of the initial projection that are stationary, i.e., from cross 32 (131) to cross 28 (132), cross 24 (133), cross 20 (134), cross 16 (135), and cross 12 (136). The crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) are each assigned to the last passenger (P 131 , P 132 , P 133 , P 134 , P 135 , P 136 , P 137 , P 138 Note that the ray 11 completely disappears when it leaves the virtual guide (130) surface.

[0127] After the cloth 12 (136) moves, the cloth 8 (137) starts to appear, which advances along the path of the carpet (130), forming a minimum exemplary size, for example 1.80 meters, and maintains that state while there is no passenger (P) positioning himself on the cloth 8 (137). By maintaining the minimum exemplary size, for example 1.80, the movement becomes organic after the passengers (P) have entered the area of ​​the cloth in turn.

[0128] Passengers (P) of cross 8 (137) continue boarding by positioning themselves on the entire path of the carpet (130). Thus, following the wave concept, cross 8 (137) and then cross 4 (38) appear consecutively until boarding of the first wave of the non-limiting example is completed, followed by the next cross, and so on, until all groups of the four waves formed by the eight groups of passengers are completed.

[0129] It should be noted that although the examples detailed herein describe the order of moving through the crosses in descending order, another suitable order may be implemented according to boarding information / instructions.

[0130] Furthermore, the activities of identifying the last passenger moving on a cross, updating the cross end information for this cross, and moving the end of this cross by moving or "pulling" the next cross may be performed individually at one cross, or in pairs or groups of crosses, or in parallel at all crosses in the projection area, according to the specific movement criteria disclosed in this specification, where (i) the start of each new cross follows the cross previous to (downstream of) each new cross, and (ii) the end of each cross waits until the last passenger has moved onto it.

[0131] This movement of all crosses and their segments follows an organic concept, where the virtual guide (130) identifies its movement through sensors on the ground or above or to the sides of the passenger (P) and generates the orientation, formation and displacement of the virtual guide (130). This organic boarding format therefore depends only on the previous selection of the aircraft (AE) model and the type of boarding, so that all the permutations of the passenger (P) proceed without the need for any other commands.

[0132] This means of movement of the virtual guide creates the effect of a living organism, since the passenger is guided by the guide only when he accesses the guide. After that, all the movements of the cross in the guide are adapted in size, speed, acceleration and stopping to the passenger's movements, so that the passenger does not need to be guided by the guide, but simply follows the passenger in front, as in a common line. It is thus clear that it is the passenger who moves the guide, and not the guide who moves the passenger.

[0133] It is possible to envisage implementing virtual guidance in partially organic and manual systems as well.

[0134] In the case of a partially organic regime, it is possible to envisage a carpet with a division only between the two front cloths of the organically controlled carpet, as described above: the formation and creation of the rear cloth is the result of the movement of the first cloth, but the rear panel will have an additional configuration, such as a minimum length when the passenger on the carpet is stationary and a maximum length when moving.

[0135] In a manually controlled version, control of the carpet can be performed by a human operator who manually controls the advancement of the initial cloth to create an effect similar to movement in a partially organic regime, this control being performed through simple commands given by the operator to advance or stop the cloth, or even rewind it.

[0136] Substep B7 involves repeating substep B6 until the last cross (138) of the virtual carpet (130) is displayed and moved in the direction of boarding and / or until boarding is complete, which may be the boarding of the last expected passenger, P 138 This may be determined by the boarding of the aircraft or by another reason or corresponding order.

[0137] It should be further emphasized that sub-step B2 of checking and updating data related to boarding may be repeated in sequence between other steps and sub-steps, or even before other steps, as many times as necessary to update the information.

[0138] Any other sub-steps of the second step may also be repeated alternately with other sub-steps or sequentially before another sub-step, always depending on the specific conditions of each boarding situation and its development, which may include, but are not limited to, access or numbering conflicts, late boarding passengers, priority passengers, airport conditions, etc.

[0139] C. Boarding Completion Steps: The boarding completion step includes the following method sub-steps: C1. After projecting the expected last cross (138), project the final cross (PF) with the completion information, and the size of the final cross (PF) is the same as the size of the last passenger (P 138 ) is determined by the movement of the projection, C2 Comparing the number of passengers (P) expected to board with the number of passengers (P) who have actually boarded the aircraft and determining whether boarding has been completed; C3. if no match, repeating sub-steps C1 and C2 until completion; C4 Receives an order to end boarding procedures This includes, but is not limited to, boarding completion activities.

[0140] Sub-step C1 includes projecting a final cross (PF) with completion information, which may be, but is not limited to, for example, last call information (last call) or the like.

[0141] Sub-step C2 involves comparing the number of passengers (P) expected to board with the number of passengers (P) who have actually boarded and determining that boarding is complete. In case of discrepancy, notifying the airline and / or airport authorities as appropriate. This step also involves updating the virtual announcements (130), projections and monitors (120), and finally the audible signaling devices with one or more messages announcing the end of boarding, alerting the "last boarding call" (Figure 9), and / or announcing the absence of one or more passengers, and finally announcing the name or names of the missing passengers.

[0142] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, sub-step C2 further comprises a query by a server or central processor that processes data related to the boarding, such as but not limited to airline data, aircraft (AE) data, boarding arrangements, ground and cabin staff data, passenger data, and other data related to airport operations, in order to update information / instructions. This sub-step C2 can be repeated one or more times, sequentially or individually or in groups, in order to update information as needed, the necessity of this repetition being defined according to each application. In case of lack or interruption of communication, actions will be performed based on pre-stored predetermined information.

[0143] Sub-step C3 includes repeating the first C1 sub-step and the second C2 sub-step in case of a mismatch until completion and / or until a completion command is received.

[0144] Sub-step C4 involves receiving an order from the airline and / or from authorities in charge of boarding and / or the airport infrastructure and / or from ground staff and / or on-board staff and / or the like to complete or terminate the boarding procedure.

[0145] It should be noted that any sub-step of the third step may also be repeated alternately with other steps or sequentially before another step, always depending on the specific conditions of each boarding situation and its development, and this also applies to one or more steps of the first activity and / or the second activity, which may include, but are not limited to, access or numbering conflicts, passengers late to board, priority passengers, airport conditions, etc.

[0146] Devices Disclosed Herein The device disclosed herein for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide is a device that comprises the system disclosed herein, including a computer readable memory having stored thereon instructions for execution by a computer that can execute the methods disclosed herein to process boarding information and generate a dynamic and organic virtual guide (130).

[0147] Computer programs disclosed herein The computer program for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide as disclosed herein is a set of instructions executed in the system as disclosed herein to perform the method as disclosed herein to generate a dynamic and organic virtual guide (130).

[0148] Final thoughts It should be noted that the virtual guidance disclosed herein, while sophisticated, is intuitive and easy to understand for passengers, does not require additional tools, supplemental codes or signs, captions, instructions to guide the passenger, and very importantly, does not require the passenger to be connected to a device or assistance from ground staff.

[0149] The virtual guide projects sufficient continuous space in the boarding lounge in the direction of passenger movement to physically accommodate all passengers in each group, and informs passengers of their boarding position order in the boarding lounge.

[0150] It should also be noted that the method according to the present invention can be performed entirely independently of the system of the present disclosure or without the use of virtual guidance, and can be coordinated, for example, by visual and / or audible commands or the voice of ground staff, making use of already installed infrastructure, such as monitors, displays, signs, pictures, etc., at the airport.

[0151] The present disclosure provides methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products that improve upon prior art solutions to problems in air boarding logistics in new and inventive ways.

[0152] Final thoughts It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the concept presented in the above description. Such modifications should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific embodiment described in detail above is merely illustrative and exemplary, and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure, and this specific embodiment should be given the scope of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A system for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide, (i) one or more servers; (ii) one or more processors; (iii) one or more communication data networks; and (iv) one or more databases; and (v) one or more information sets; (vi) one or more instruction sets; and (vii) one or more information / command acquisition devices (110); (viii) one or more information / instruction display devices (120); and one or more of said information / instruction display devices (120) project a dynamic carpet-like virtual guide (130) formed by adjacent crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) indicating a seat number or row number or group number or wave number of a particular boarding configuration, the system associates the last passenger (P131, P132, P133, P134, P135, P136, P137, P138) located at the rear end of each cross (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136) in the boarding direction with cross end information; the size of said cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) varies in length according to the distance between the last passengers (P131, P132, P133, P134, P135, P136, P137, P138); A system in which the information / instruction display device (120) is an interface between the system and users and / or airport infrastructure, includes a set of visual signs formed by devices capable of projecting and / or emitting and / or displaying images and light, and emitting visual and audio signals, is directly connected to a data processing center, and includes equipment for image projection and peripheral devices.

2. 2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the advancement of the crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) is organic and controlled by the advancement of the last passengers (P131, P132, P133, P134, P135, P136, P137, P138) on each cross.

3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the servers, processors, databases, information / instruction acquisition devices (110), information / instruction display devices (120), and other devices and / or equipment are all interconnected by one or more communication data networks.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of instructions is a set of steps and substeps constituting a method for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide (130), executed singly or in combination by one or more components of the system.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information / command acquisition device (110) is an interface between the system and users and / or airport infrastructure, includes devices for processing and storing data and information and communicating over a communications data network, and comprises physical, analog, digital, optical sensors and combinations thereof, including cameras, lasers, reflectors, light barriers, conventional radar, Doppler radar, and other compatible means.

6. A method for processing boarding information to generate an organic virtual guide, executed by a system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following main method steps: A. A boarding preparation step; B. A boarding step; C. Boarding completion step and Including, Said flight preparation step A comprises the following method sub-steps: A4. A method, characterized in that it comprises processing boarding information and instructions, generating and projecting a first virtual carpet (130), eliminating (ignoring) seats (A) or rows that are empty of passengers (P) or are occupied only by priority passengers, and adjusting the size of each cross (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) depending on the number of seats or rows or groups or waves of passengers (P) assigned to said crosses (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138).

7. The boarding preparation step comprises the following method sub-steps: A1 receiving a command to initiate a boarding procedure; A2 Review and update boarding information / orders; A3. Activating the information / instruction display device (120) and starting the projection of a dynamic virtual guide (130) in the form of a virtual carpet; A5. Activating the information / command acquisition device (110) to detect and process an image of the first virtual carpet (130); The method of claim 6, comprising:

8. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that sub-step A4 comprises processing boarding information and instructions by generating and projecting a first virtual carpet (130) formed by adjacent cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) having seat numbers or row numbers or group numbers or wave numbers according to a particular boarding configuration.

9. 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that sub-step A4 also comprises enabling one or more monitors (120) to display a mirroring of the projection area together with the next cloth (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130) to be displayed.

10. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that sub-step A5 includes enabling the information / command acquisition device (110) to detect and process an image of the first virtual carpet (130) and to start a camera or sensor for detecting an image of the displayed or projected virtual carpet (130) in addition to detecting the presence of people and / or objects on the virtual carpet.

11. The boarding step comprises the following method sub-steps: B1. Receiving a command to begin boarding procedures; B2 Review and update boarding information / orders; B3 commanding the passenger (P) to place himself / herself on the passenger's (P) corresponding cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130); B4. Reading and detecting the position of a passenger (P) on said cloth (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of said virtual carpet (130); B5. reading and identifying the first and last passenger (P131, P132, P133, P134, P135, P136, P137, P138) of each cross (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) in the boarding direction; B6. Identifying the movement of the last passenger (P131) of the first cross (131) and moving the end of the first cross (131) in the boarding direction by pulling the second (next) cross (132); B7. Repeating sub-step B6 until the last crossing (138) of the virtual carpet (130) and / or until boarding is completed.

11. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

12. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that sub-step B5 comprises reading and identifying the first and last passenger (P131, P132, P133, P134, P135, P136, P137, P138) of each cross (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) in the boarding direction and associating the last passenger (P131, P132, P133, P134, P135, P136, P137, P138) of each cross (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) with cross end information, thereby detecting a change in position.

13. 13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that sub-step B3 comprises formally ordering the passenger (P) to place himself on his corresponding cloth (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130).

14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that sub-step B4 comprises reading and detecting the position of all objects on the reading field (cloth) of the virtual carpet (130) from the determination and definition of the reading field by the cloths (131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138) of the virtual carpet (130), filtering objects of interest from the image, identifying a passenger (P) and his exact position on the virtual carpet (130), and associating the passenger (P) with the cloth of the virtual carpet on which he (P) is standing.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the reading, the detecting and the filtering can be performed continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

16. 16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the reading, the detection and the filtering are performed intermittently by repeating and capturing readings between 0.1 ms and 100 ms.

17. The boarding completion step comprises the following method sub-steps: C1. After projecting the expected last cross (138), projecting a Final Cross (PF) with completion information, the size of the Final Cross (PF) being determined by the movement of the last passenger (P138) expected to board; C2. Comparing the number of passengers (P) expected to board with the number of passengers (P) who have actually boarded the aircraft and determining whether boarding has been completed; C3. if no match, repeating sub-steps C1 and C2 until complete; C4. Receiving a command to terminate boarding procedures; 17. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 16, characterized in that it comprises:

18. 18. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the sub-step C1 comprises projecting a final cross (PF) with completion information, which may be last call information or the like.

19. 19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that sub-step C2 further comprises a query by a server or central processor which processes data related to boardings and may be repeated one or more times, sequentially or individually or in groups, to update said information.

20. 20. Method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that sub-step C4 comprises receiving an order from the airline and / or from an authority in charge of departures and / or from the airport infrastructure and / or from ground staff and / or on-board staff and / or the like to complete or terminate the boarding procedure.

21. An apparatus for processing boarding information and generating an organic virtual guide, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a system as defined in claims 1 to 5, including a computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions for execution on a computer capable of executing the method as defined in claims 6 to 20 to process boarding information and generate a dynamic and organic virtual guide (130).

22. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions for execution on a computer, the instructions, when executed, performing a method as defined in any one of claims 6 to 20.

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