Transportation Network Tracking via Passenger Device Relays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems in public transportation networks are vulnerable to vandalism, fault-tolerant, and inefficient in detecting user equipment positions, leading to incomplete tracking and reduced network efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment configured to receive identification signals from a second user equipment aboard a means of transportation, determine its position, and transmit this data to an electronic computer, even when the second user equipment cannot communicate, using a combination of Bluetooth, WiFi, and GNSS positioning, along with a neural network to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beacons are positioned at stops and on public means of transportation for determining user position, then tracking capability is improved, but vulnerability to vandalism and malfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment as intermediary devices that carry identification signals between transportation means and the central system. Instead of relying solely on fixed beacons at stops, the system uses mobile user equipment to transmit and receive identification signals, creating a distributed tracking network that is more resilient to individual point failures and vandalism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is segmented into multiple independent components: fixed beacons, mobile user equipment, and central processing systems. This segmentation means that failure or vandalism of one component does not cripple the entire system, as other segments can continue to provide tracking functionality.
2Productivity
If user equipment communicates directly with electronic computer, then tracking efficiency is improved, but network congestion and communication failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous tracking by having user equipment continuously transmit identification signals and position data throughout the journey. The electronic computer continuously receives and processes this data, maintaining an uninterrupted tracking record even during network fluctuations or communication challenges.
3Measurement precision
If ticket validation requires physical presence at validators, then ticket control accuracy is improved, but passenger flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ticket validation system (physical ticket insertion into validators) with an electronic identification system. User equipment automatically transmits identification signals via radio frequency, eliminating the need for physical ticket handling and manual validation, thus maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving passenger flow efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention consists of a method and a user equipment (1b) for tracking a second user equipment (1a) in a transportation network, wherein said user equipment (1b) is configured for receiving a first identification signal (S1) comprising a first identification datum (ID1), emitted by said second user equipment (1,1a) when it is aboard a means of transportation (V), determining a position datum ( POS2, POS3, POS4 ) that defines the position in which said first identification signal has been received (S1 ), and transmitting a second identification signal (S2, S3, S4) to an electronic computer (DB), wherein said second identification signal (S2, S3, S4) comprises at least said first identification datum (ID1) and said position datum (POS2, POS3, POS4), so that said electronic computer (DB) can track the route being followed by said second user equipment (1,1a) in said transportation network on the basis of at least said first identification datum (ID1) and said position datum (POS2, POS3, POS4).