2534 results about "Transit system" patented technology

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument. Entry is permitted onto a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument. The identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument is associated with a transit system fee registered for each use of the transit system. A plurality of transit system fees associated with the same identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument is aggregated, and payment for the aggregated transit system fees is requested from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument.

The present invention comprises a load port for providing access to an article that is stored in a container having a container door removably coupled to a container shell. The load port preferably loads / unloads a container directly from a container transport system. In one embodiment, the load port includes a plate having an opening, a container support plate, a drive assembly for moving the support plate vertically and a shroud to partially enclose the opening. The shroud, which may be affixed to the mounting plate, has an open top and bottom. The shroud contains a mechanism for retaining the container shell at a controllable height. During operation, a container is raised from the transport system into the shroud until the container shell is retained by the mechanism. After the container shell is uncoupled from the container door, the container support plate is lowered until the article is accessible through the opening. The container shell remains located at the controllable height. The container shell, in combination with the shroud, creates a mini-environment isolating the article from ambient conditions in the fabrication facility.

A system and method for providing position information of a transit object to a computing device is provided. Global positioning satellite (GPS) information of a transit object can be periodically received. For each of some of the GPS information, one or more candidate points of a transit system can be identified based on the GPS information. Using the one or more candidate points, a most likely path of travel can be determined. Additional position points along the most likely path of travel can be extrapolated and transmitted to a computing device.

A automatic-transport system with scanning and GPS functions for moving people or objects, on platforms or items placed on an automatic-transport system that can be ejected from it and delivered from one location to another and to return automatically or to proceed to other destination(s) by following GPS coordinates, and or by following a line painted or taped to a floor through forward looking scanners built into the automatic-transport system. The automatic-transport system can arrive at a destination and give an alert when it has arrived. Electromechanical system(s) aboard the unit can drop off contents automatically at destinations and load or unload cargo. The transport unit can proceed from one location to another stored in its memory and or it may be redirected by its circuitry or remotely through a wireless port, or directed by GPS or radio control circuits to a further destination.

What is disclosed in this application is: an Internet payment system. An Internet payment system comprising a user device with a processor, Internet connection apparatus and an Internet browser. The Internet payment system also includes a participating merchant server supporting web pages on which product or service offerings are displayed in response to queries from the user device using the connections apparatus and browser. The merchant server interacting with the user device browser permits a user to select at least one offering and to indicate a method of payment, at least one method of payment being a transfer link. The Internet payment system also comprises a participating financial institution server maintained by a financial institution at which the user has a financial account. The server permits the user to gain direct access to his financial account. In addition, the Internet payment system includes a main transportation server to which both the user device and merchant server are connected in response to the user selecting the transfer link as the method of payment. The merchant server transmits information to the main transport server regarding payment required for the selected offering and the main transport server provides a selection of financial institutions from which the user can select an institute at which he has an account for payment for the offering. The main transport server transmits user inputs directly to the financial institution server to authorize payment to the merchant for the offering without storing the inputs.

The network system matches the supply and demand of transportation services by incorporating unused transportation capacity (i.e., empty seats) with a real-time allocation and matching service that enables individuals and goods to conveniently hire that capacity with attractive pricing, rapid responsiveness, better information availability and trusted security. The network system provides an electronic registry of capacity containing an indication of the spare transport capacity and location of a plurality of transport vehicles, an electronic registry of demand containing an indication of the demand for transportation needs of a plurality of individuals and a central processing capability to effect a match of the transport capacity of at least one transport vehicle with the transport demand of at least one individual.

Embodiments of systems and methods are disclosed for providing messages based on an identified ridership pattern of a user of a transit system. Embodiments can include receiving information associated with a plurality of transactions of the user of the transit system, and identifying a ridership pattern of the user of the transit system. A predicted time and duration that the user of the transit system will be at a predicted location can be determined based, at least in part, on the identified ridership pattern. A message can be formulated using this information, and the message can be sent to the user or other message subscriber. Messages can include a variety of information, including advertisements, transit status updates, and more.

A transportation system and a method for operating the transportation system are provided. The transportation system provides a flexible, on-demand, and door-to-door transportation service to improve the accessibility of an existing public transit system. The transportation system may be operated by or in conjunction with the transit system and is uniquely different from either taxi, shuttle, or bus service. A vehicle of the transportation system transports a passenger between a pickup location and a predetermined node in response to a service request initiated by the passenger according to instructions that are dynamically determined in real time in consideration of the pickup location, a current location of the vehicle, and a predetermined travel time between the pickup location and the node.

The transportation system and method includes a server in communication with a user and a vehicle via a wired or wireless data channel. The user provides the server with transportation request information, and requests transportation options from the server. The user may seek transportation either for a passenger or for a package or other item to be transported for delivery to a specified destination. The server evaluates the transportation request information provided by the user and determines transportation options, including available routes of travel (times, paths, etc.) and the charges associated with the various available routes of travel. The server notifies the user of transportation options, including available routes of travel and associated charges. The user selects one of the transportation options and requests transportation according to the specified travel parameters. The server books the requested transportation and notifies the transporting vehicle of the new transportation assignment.

A public transportation system includes control by highly distributed communications, ultra-light transit vehicles suspended from single or dual rails and powered by electricity. The electric power supplied independently and supplemented by wind generators and solar panels. The transit vehicles, are suitable to transport from one to four persons. The system includes a plurality interconnected rails with main conduits and station conduits to provide non-stop transportation from one station to another station.

A transportation system for secure, auditable and trackable smart mobile containers (SMC) for securely shipping less than truckload volumes of products that require special handing segregation as controlled products, such as ethical drugs, along with general, non-controlled merchandise. Dedicated semi-trailer lockers are secured under the deck I-beam framing, including lockable fold-down doors that become ramps for loading / unloading. The lockers are mounted back to back along the center line of the trailer under-deck. Each SMC includes a electronics package that can read RFID tags, has condition sensors and an RF module to permit remote monitoring of location and cargo / container conditions. The SMC can include an electronic lock that provides access security, and an audit trail of all opening and closing events.

A modular vehicle comprises a preassembled undercarriage module, a preassembled overcarriage module, and coupling means for releasably coupling the overcarriage module to the undercarriage module. The undercarriage module includes wheels for permitting travel of the vehicle on a travelling surface, means for holding a power source for supplying operating power to the vehicle, and means for directing controlled motive power from the power source to at least one of the wheels. The overcarriage module includes control means linkable with the undercarriage module for controlling operation of the vehicle. When the power source associated with a first undercarriage module is in need of maintenance service, there is provided a method of handling an overcarriage module coupled to the first undercarriage module comprising the steps of decoupling and separating the two modules; then releasably coupling the overcarriage module to a second one of such undercarriage modules, the associated power source of the second undercarriage module not being in need of maintenance service; then operating the overcarriage module and the second undercarriage module together as a vehicle while providing the maintenance service required by the power source of the first undercarriage module.

A method and apparatus that automatically tracks, monitors and schedules the shipping of objects through carriers such as delivery trucks, ships, or planes is disclosed. A tracking tag is attached to each shipped object. The tracking tag and transportation system uses such techniques as GPS, cellular technology, and bar coding, and sensors such as those that make temperature, pressure, and noise measurements as sources of tracking information. Logic rules and hierarchical weights are given to each source, for any given condition so that the most accurate tracking is made. Tracking is continuous throughout the object's trip. Another set of logic rules is applied to take actions to intervene in the shipping process. For example if it seems the object is off schedule, upgrades or downgrades to the shipping are made. The transportation system can be integrated within a customer's company to facilitate easy scheduling, and production management. A user-friendly graphical user interface is available which displays item, time and distance related information.

Disclosed herein are vehicle-sharing systems and methods that reduce the need for private vehicle ownership by individuals and / or entities. The systems and methods utilize a pool of vehicles available for hire; at least one collection point at which the vehicles are issued; a central reservation system; and a system to verify user identify and reservation status wherein the system receives identifying information from a potential user, communicates the identifying information to the central reservation system which prompts the system to allow access to a reserved vehicle from the pool of vehicles available for hire in response to positive verification of the user and reservation status. In the vehicle-sharing systems and methods of the present invention, a subset of vehicles in the pool are designated to be hired by entities rather than individuals during specified time periods.

Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for enabling a mobile device having near-field communication (NFC) capabilities to be used as fare media at access control points of a transit system. Embodiments can include receiving a request for activation information from the mobile device to enable the device to transmit an identification code using NFC capabilities. Embodiments further include associating a funding source with the identification code and transmitting the activation information to the mobile device. The identification code can then be transmitted from the mobile device to an access control point, and a determination of whether to allow or deny passage of a user at the access control point can be made. The determination can be based, at least in part, on whether the identification code is included on a list. A transaction can then be associated with the identification code; and a value of the transaction can be reconciled with the funding source.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

The present invention is a web-based transportation decision support system and geographic information system (GIS) application that leverages intelligent transportation system (ITS) information available from federal, state, local, and commercial transportation sources. The invention provides users with detailed road and rail information about routes and infrastructure characteristics, as well as real-time information from cameras, speed sensors, construction and accident reporting systems, and GIS based weather. Additionally, the invention provides users with the immediate ability to track and report surface shipments on an extremely accurate spatial data background.

An architecture for a contactless smart card or payment device, where the smart card is intended for use in both commerce transaction payment and transit fare payment (or other venue access) environments. The payment device may function as both an electronic wallet for commerce transactions and as a transit system card, for access to and fare payment of transit services. Implementation of both functions may be achieved by use of a dynamic memory management system that permits data for both the payment and transit applications to be stored on the card, with the transit data and storage locations isolated from those used to store data intended for use in paying for commerce transactions. The transit application specific data may include access control data (keys, passwords, identification data) or data required for fare calculations (rates, historical data on system use), for example.

Autonomous and manually operated vehicles are integrated into a cohesive, interactive environment, with communications to each other and to their surroundings, to improve traffic flow while reducing accidents and other incidents. All vehicles send / receive messages to / from each other, and from infrastructure devices, enabling the vehicles to determine their status, traffic conditions and infrastructure. The vehicles store and operate in accordance with a common set of rules based upon the messages received and other inputs from sensors, databases, and so forth, to avoid obstacles and collisions based upon current and, in some cases, future or predicted behavior. Shared vehicle control interfaces enable the AVs to conform to driving activities that are legal, safe, and allowable on roadways. Such activities enable each AV to drive within safety margins, speed limits, on allowed or legal driving lanes and through allowed turns, intersections, mergers, lane changes, stops / starts, and so forth.

A system and method for integrating air and ground transportation of passengers and cargo. The system comprises a plurality of universal passenger containers. The system further comprises a plurality of universal cargo containers. An airplane is provided with a hollow fuselage adapted to be loaded with a plurality of passenger and / or cargo containers. A flatbed trailer can be provided to carry a passenger or a cargo container. A tractor vehicle can be provided to transport flatbed trailers between airplanes, locations within the airport, and points of origin and destination outside the airport complex. A system can be provided to load and unload passenger and cargo containers into and out of airplanes at the airport. A system is provided comprised of an airport complex including take-off and landing runways, taxiways, airplane staging areas, apparatus for detection of weapons in passenger and cargo containers, and air terminals with arrival and departure gates and baggage handling conveyors. A system is also provided comprised of remote air terminals at strategic locations a distance from the airport complex.

A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process. In many cases, the present invention will also help buyers / receivers control costs by eliminating the shipper's shipping and handling fee.

An automated warehouse facility for warehousing and storing a plurality of items simultaneously in a plurality of varying levels, in which empty pallets circulate simultaneously with the main circulation of goods but separately from it without interfering with storing and retrieving goods on the all levels. The warehouse facility comprises a multi-level building having a plurality of storage racks for simultaneous and independent storing multiple loaded or unloaded pallets. An entrance-floor level of the building includes a terminal for receiving or releasing multiple items simultaneously through an exterior entrance. An interior entrance to the terminal provides access to the storage area and transportation of the loaded pallet. The warehouse facility includes a pallet stacking station for storing the unloaded pallet located over a shuttle aisle that extends under the terminal. A transport system provides simultaneous and independent transporting of the loaded pallet and unloaded items in the storage area.

An exemplary embodiment a substrate transport system is provided. The system has a guideway and at least one transport vehicle. The transport vehicle is adapted for holding at least one substrate and capable of being supported from and moving along the guideway. The guideway comprises at least one travel lane for the vehicle and at least one access lane offset from the travel lane allowing the vehicle selectable access on and off the travel lane.

An architecture for a contactless smart card or payment device, where the smart card is intended for use in both commerce transaction payment and transit fare payment (or other venue access) environments. The payment device may function as both an electronic wallet for commerce transactions and as a transit system card, for access to and fare payment of transit services. Implementation of both functions may be achieved by use of a dynamic memory management system that permits data for both the payment and transit applications to be stored on the card, with the transit data and storage locations isolated from those used to store data intended for use in paying for commerce transactions. The transit application specific data may include access control data (keys, passwords, identification data) or data required for fare calculations (rates, historical data on system use), for example.

A transport system composed of road side stations installed along roads and vehicles running on roads, wherein emergency processing at the time of an accident, a local information providing service, and so on are realized by the road side stations in cooperation of the road side stations and the respective vehicles. In the transport system, a plurality of road side stations are interconnected through a road side communication network, and a plurality of vehicles communicate with the road side stations. A vehicle transmits a request message containing a service code and location information. A road side station receiving the request message broadcasts the request message to the network. The road side stations receive the message, and determine whether or not requested processing should be executed based on the service code and the location information. When determining that the processing should be executed, the road side station executes processing indicated by the service code.

A system and methods are provided for collecting and aggregating the movements of location-aware wireless devices and corroborating them with the routes of public transit vehicles. Individual public transit agencies transmit details of their covered routes, including scheduled times and stop locations, to a central processing system. Individual end users of public transit systems carry their own mass-produced, location-aware wireless devices that transmit their location and other relevant information to the central processing system for analysis. The central processing system assigns the specific devices to transit vehicles, uses their locations to determine the actual locations of the vehicles they are traveling on, and communicates this information to the end user of the device, and other users.

A luggage transport system consists of a plurality of luggage or suitcase components, each with wheels and retractable handles, connected in a train or series. The connection between each luggage component is accomplished by unique luggage face to luggage face attachment. A support element is secured to and extends from the front faces of all but the last luggage component in the luggage train. The support element has insertion holes at its lower region and an interior groove at its upper region. The rear faces of all but the first luggage component in the luggage train have outwardly extended portions with downwardly extending peg members at their lower regions and transversely extended pocket sections at their upper regions. Connection is first made by inserting the peg members of the second luggage component in the train into the holes of the support element of the first luggage component in the train. The pocket section of the second luggage component is then inserted into the groove of the support element of the first luggage component to lock the two components together in face to face relationship. A third luggage component is secured to the second one in an identical manner. Additional luggage components can be similarly connected. A brace is positioned within each of the support elements to maintain the shape of the luggage component.

An evaluating apparatus arranged to evaluate an item-transport system having a flow path. The apparatus includes one or more position markers adjacent the path and an evaluating device for sensing the markers and conditions of the transport system. The evaluating device has at least one evaluation sensor configured to (A) sense conditions of the transport system and (B) produce evaluation-sensor data based on the sensed conditions. The evaluating device also has a position-marker sensor configured to sense the position markers and produce position-marker data. The apparatus further includes a distance meter configured to produce distance data and at least one computing device configured to determine a particular location at which the evaluating device was along the path of the item-transport system when a particular condition of the item-transport system was sensed based on the evaluation-sensor data, the position-marker data, and the distance data.