Sensor-based automated transit maintenance system

Systems and methods for implementing a sensor-based transit maintenance system. A plurality of sensors are located at a plurality of transit locations within a transit system. The plurality of sensors are configured to collect a plurality of sensor measurements of at least one transit location device. A transit server may receive sensor data comprising the plurality of sensor measurements. The transit server may determine, based on the sensor data, that a current or future defect exists within the transit system. The transit server may determine a transit location of the plurality of transit locations at which the defect is located. The transit server may generate maintenance instructions for addressing the defect and send the maintenance instructions either to a portable electronic device or to one of the at least one transit location device at the transit location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As populations in the world's largest city centers continue to grow, often at an exponential rate, public and private transportation systems are becoming increasingly burdened with increased ridership and transit stations are becoming increasingly congested, causing delays to transit users and increased costs to the transportation systems. The use of sophisticated communication devices presents an appealing approach for managing such overcrowding. Unfortunately, existing devices and approaches are insufficient to alleviate these problems. Accordingly, new systems, methods, and other techniques are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A summary of the invention is given through a description of various examples. As used below, any reference to a series of examples is to be understood as a reference to each of those examples disjunctively (e.g., “Examples 1-4” is to be understood as “Examples 1, 2, 3, or 4”).

Example 1 is a transit maintenance system comprising: a plurality of sensors located at a plurality of transit locations within a transit system, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to collect a plurality of sensor measurements of at least one transit location device; and a transit server comprising one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to perform operations comprising: receiving sensor data comprising the plurality of sensor measurements; determining, based on the sensor data, that a current or future defect exists within the transit system; determining a transit location of the plurality of transit locations at which the defect is located; generating maintenance instructions for addressing the defect; and sending the maintenance instructions either to a portable electronic device or to one of the at least one transit location device at the transit location.

Example 2 is the transit maintenance system of example(s)1, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving transit data from at least one of the plurality of transit locations, wherein the transit data includes ridership information, and wherein it is determined that the defect exists within the transit system further based on the transit data and the sensor data.

Example 3 is the transit maintenance system of example(s) 1-2, wherein each of the plurality of sensor measurements includes a raw measurement of a transit location device of the at least one transit location device, wherein the raw measurement corresponds to one or more of voltage, current, capacitance, inductance, temperature, and frequency.

Example 4 is the transit maintenance system of example(s) 1-3, further comprising: a plurality of local data collectors located at the plurality of transit locations, wherein each of the plurality of local data collectors is configured to: receive at least one of the plurality of sensor measurements from at least one of the plurality of sensors; and send the at least one of the plurality of sensor measurements to the transit server.

Example 5 is the transit maintenance system of example(s) 1-4, wherein the operations further comprise: selecting the portable electronic device from a group of portable electronic devices based on one or more of: the transit location; a current location of the portable electronic device; a type of the defect; and the maintenance instructions.

Example 6 is the transit maintenance system of example(s) 1-5, wherein the operations further comprise: generating, based on the sensor data, a defect likelihood score; comparing the defect likelihood score to a threshold; and in response to determining that the defect likelihood score exceeds the threshold, determining that a future defect exists within the transit system.

Example 7 is the transit maintenance system of example(s) 1-6, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, from the portable electronic device, a message indicating that the defect has been addressed.

Example 8 is a method comprising: receiving sensor data comprising a plurality of sensor measurements of at least one transit location device, wherein the plurality of sensor measurements are collected by a plurality of sensors located at a plurality of transit locations within a transit system; determining, based on the sensor data, that a current or future defect exists within the transit system; determining a transit location of the plurality of transit locations at which the defect is located; generating maintenance instructions for addressing the defect; and sending the maintenance instructions either to a portable electronic device or to one of the at least one transit location device at the transit location.

Example 9 is the method of example(s) 8, further comprising: receiving transit data from at least one of the plurality of transit locations, wherein the transit data includes ridership information, and wherein it is determined that the defect exists within the transit system further based on the transit data and the sensor data.

Example 10 is the method of example(s) 8-9, wherein each of the plurality of sensor measurements includes a raw measurement of a transit location device of the at least one transit location device, wherein the raw measurement corresponds to one or more of voltage, current, capacitance, inductance, temperature, and frequency.

Example 11 is the method of example(s) 8-10, wherein the sensor data is received from a plurality of local data collectors located at the plurality of transit locations, and wherein each of the plurality of local data collectors is configured to receive at least one of the plurality of sensor measurements from at least one of the plurality of sensors.

Example 12 is the method of example(s) 8-11, further comprising: selecting the portable electronic device from a group of portable electronic devices based on one or more of: the transit location; a current location of the portable electronic device; a type of the defect; and the maintenance instructions.

Example 13 is the method of example(s) 8-12, further comprising: generating, based on the sensor data, a defect likelihood score; comparing the defect likelihood score to a threshold; and in response to determining that the defect likelihood score exceeds the threshold, determining that a future defect exists within the transit system.

Example 14 is the method of example(s) 8-13, further comprising: receiving, from the portable electronic device, a message indicating that the defect has been addressed.

Example 15 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving sensor data comprising a plurality of sensor measurements of at least one transit location device, wherein the plurality of sensor measurements are collected by a plurality of sensors located at a plurality of transit locations within a transit system; determining, based on the sensor data, that a current or future defect exists within the transit system; determining a transit location of the plurality of transit locations at which the defect is located; generating maintenance instructions for addressing the defect; and sending the maintenance instructions either to a portable electronic device or to one of the at least one transit location device at the transit location.

Example 16 is the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example(s) 15, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving transit data from at least one of the plurality of transit locations, wherein the transit data includes ridership information, and wherein it is determined that the defect exists within the transit system further based on the transit data and the sensor data.

Example 17 is the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example(s) 15-16, wherein each of the plurality of sensor measurements includes a raw measurement of a transit location device of the at least one transit location device, wherein the raw measurement corresponds to one or more of voltage, current, capacitance, inductance, temperature, and frequency.

Example 18 is the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example(s) 15-17, wherein the sensor data is received from a plurality of local data collectors located at the plurality of transit locations, and wherein each of the plurality of local data collectors is configured to receive at least one of the plurality of sensor measurements from at least one of the plurality of sensors.

Example 19 is the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example(s) 15-18, wherein the operations further comprise: selecting the portable electronic device from a group of portable electronic devices based on one or more of: the transit location; a current location of the portable electronic device; a type of the defect; and the maintenance instructions.

Example 20 is the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example(s) 15-19, wherein the operations further comprise: generating, based on the sensor data, a defect likelihood score; comparing the defect likelihood score to a threshold; and in response to determining that the defect likelihood score exceeds the threshold, determining that a future defect exists within the transit system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods, and other techniques for implementing a sensor-based automated transit maintenance system. The transit system maintenance system may monitor the health of a transit system through the use of sensors strategically located at transit devices, such as the various ticket vending machines, gates, transit vehicles, and the like. The sensors may collect raw measurements, such as voltage and current measurements, and local data collectors may send these measurements to a transit server. The transit server may identify current or future defects within the transit system, and may generate maintenance instructions for addressing the defects. The maintenance instructions may be sent to portable electronic devices used by service technicians who can address and repair the defects. Although embodiments are described in reference to transit systems, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that alternative embodiments may vary from the embodiments discussed herein, and alternative applications may exist, such as in general transportation, residential and commercial servicing, and other industries.

FIG. 1illustrates various components of a sensor-based transit maintenance system at a transit location160, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The transit maintenance system may include a plurality of sensors104positioned at various points of interest at transit location160so as to collect sensor measurements of one or more transit location devices118. In some embodiments, transit location devices118may include a ticket vending machine108and the electrical connections feeding into or out from ticket vending machine108. Sensors104may be configured to collect sensor measurements of transit location devices118and send the sensor measurements to a local data collector102via one or more wired and/or wireless connections. Analysis of the sensor measurements may allow the transit maintenance system to determine that a current defect exists within the transit system or to predict that a defect will exist in the future.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of a transit system100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Transit system100may include a plurality of local data collectors102, gates110, and ticket vending machines108located at a plurality of locations160(alternatively referred to herein as transit locations160). Each of locations160may include a non-restricted access area and a restricted access area. The non-restricted access area may include areas that are freely accessible to the general public, whereas the restricted access area may be reserved exclusively for customers of transit system100. Examples of a restricted access area may include: the inside of a bus or train, a bus or train platform, the inside of a bus or train station, and the like.

Each of locations160may include a single or multiple gates110, and in some embodiments each of gates110may include an entry point that defines a passageway and separates the non-restricted access area from the restricted access area. Each of gates110may be communicatively coupled to a network140via one or more wired and/or wireless connections. Each of locations160may include a single or multiple ticket vending machines108, and in some embodiments each of ticket vending machines108may provide tickets to transit customers in exchange for money or some other form of value. Transit system100may also include a transit server142and a central data store144, each of which may be communicatively coupled to network140. Transit server142may include a single or multiple processors, and may write, retrieve, or store data to central data store144or any of gates110or ticket vending machines108. Although embodiments herein are described in reference to transit systems, the restricted access area may correspond to an entertainment venue, a building, or any location involving metered access.

In some embodiments, a portable electronic device150may be in data communication with network140and the various components of transit system100. Portable electronic device150may be carried by a transit personnel or service technician thereby allowing maintenance instructions generated by transit server142to be received by portable electronic device150so that the service technician may locate and address any defects within transit system100. Although a single portable electronic device150is shown, it is appreciated that multiple portable electronic devices150may be in data communication with network140and the various components of transit system100.

FIG. 3illustrates a block diagram of gate110and ticket vending machine108in communication with network140, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Gate110and ticket vending machine108may send transit data122to transit server142via network140. Transit data122may include ridership information corresponding to at least one transit customer. The ridership information may include: a request from a transit customer to purchase a ticket, a request from a transit customer to create a transit customer account, an approved payment amount to be added to a transit customer account, an indication that a transit customer has entered transit system100through a gate, an indication that a transit customer has exited transit system100through a gate, and the like.

Gate110may be equipped with a gate validation system for determining whether a transit customer is allowed to access the restricted access area and/or for facilitating the passage of the transit customer through gate110. Accordingly, gate110may serve as one of several possible entry points into transit system100(i.e., the restricted access area of transit system100). One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that gate110can vary in appearance and functionality. In some embodiments, gate110includes a media reader105whereby a fare media or an electronic device carried by a transit customer does not have to make contact with media reader105to communicate. For example, media reader105may include a barcode reader106and a barcode display107. In some embodiments, gate110includes an audio system120which can give verbal instructions on using any of the components of gate110. For instance, in some embodiments audio system120can alert the transit customer that his/her fare media or electronic device is not correctly placed to communicate with media reader105.

In some embodiments, gate110includes a gate processor115in communication with network140. Gate processor115may include a single or multiple processors and an associated memory. Gate processor115may communicate with a display system130and provide the messaging presented on display system130. Gate processor115can generate the messages to be displayed on display system130or receive the message to be displayed from any number of sources over network140. Gate processor115may also communicate with audio system120and may generate the messages broadcast from audio system120or receive the message to be broadcast from any number of sources over the network140. Gate processor115may communicate with media reader105and may determine if a fare media allows passage or may send information received from the fare media over network140to transit server142to make the determination. In response to a communication error between media reader105and the fare media, gate processor115may communicate with media reader105and relay information from and to the other systems such as to audio system120to give an audio indication that the fare media is not correctly placed.

In some embodiments, display system130may display a message for the transit customer that the fare media is not in the correct place and can indicate to the transit customer where to correctly place the fare media to allow proper communication. In some embodiments, display system130can display any manner of other messages including instructions for using gate110, instructions for using transit system100, and advertising. In various embodiments, media reader105may comprise a contactless reader and/or a reader that requires contact with the object to be read. In some embodiments, media reader105may communicate with the fare media or the electronic device carried by the transit customer at a considerable distance. Barriers associated with gate110may be opened up by a gate actuator124to allow the transit customer passage upon a successful communication between media reader105and the fare media or the electronic device carried by the transit customer.

In some embodiments, media reader105may be configured to read and display barcodes containing encrypted or unencrypted data. Barcode display107may include any type of electronic display. Barcode reader106may include a camera, laser scanner, charge-coupled device (CCD) reader, among other possibilities. In some embodiments, communication between media reader105and the electronic device carried by the transit customer may utilize the transmission and reception of electromagnetic wireless signals. For example, the two devices may communicate using near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), radio-frequency identification (RFID), and the like. In some embodiments, media reader105may include an RFID reader and the fare media or the electronic device carried by the transit customer may include an RFID tag. The RFID tag may be may be passive, active, or battery-assisted passive.

Ticket vending machine108may be configured to distribute reloadable prepaid cards (e.g., fare media) in exchange for payment by the transit customer. In many instances, transit customers can purchase and reload reloadable prepaid cards, register the cards with a transit customer account, and manage their account at ticket vending machine108. Additionally or alternatively, ticket vending machine108may be used by the transit customer to add value to the transit customer account or to purchase a ticket without the need for a tangible fare media by, for example, providing the electronic device of the transit customer with an electronic ticket.

In some embodiments, ticket vending machine108includes a ticket vending machine processor126for controlling a ticket vending machine display128, a payment handler130, and a change dispenser132. For example, ticket vending machine processor126may provide messages and/or images to be displayed on ticket vending machine display128, may receive indications of payment from payment handler130, and may cause change dispenser132to distribute a particular change amount. Payment handler130and change dispenser132may include various electrical and mechanical components for receiving and distributing money. For example, payment handler130may include a bill loader and/or a coin slot for accepting cash.

FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram of various sensors104collecting and sending sensor measurements to local data collector102which sends sensor data134to transit server142via network140, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Sensors104may be coupled to or positioned near one or more of transit location devices118so as to collect sensor measurements of transit location devices118. In some instances, one or more sensors104may be configured to collect raw measurements corresponding to a voltage, a current, a capacitance, an inductance, a temperature, or a frequency associated with transit location devices118. For example, one of sensors104may be a voltage sensor configured to collect voltage measurements of the DC power supply of payment handler130. As another example, one of sensors104may be a temperature sensor configured to collect temperature measurements of the chassis of audio system130. As another example, one of sensors104may be a current sensor configured to collect current measurements of a light-emitting diode (LED) within display system130. Other possibilities are contemplated.

FIG. 5illustrates a block diagram of transit server142, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, transit server142may include a predictive engine502for determining whether a current or future defect exists within transit system100. Predictive engine502may receive one or both of transit data122and sensor data134. The determination of whether a defect exists may be sent to maintenance instruction generator504which may generate maintenance instructions508for addressing the defect. Maintenance instructions508may include textual, graphical, and/or audible instructions that may be presented to the service technician on portable electronic device150. For example, maintenance instructions508may include 2D and/or 3D models of transit location devices118that can be used to help the service technician replace or repair a broken component. Maintenance instructions508may include a geolocation to allow GPS navigation from the service technician's current position to the equipment that caused the defect.

Maintenance instructions508may be routed to portable electronic device150by device router506which may be configured to select portable electronic device150from a group of portable electronic devices based on transit location160of the defect, a current location of portable electronic device150in relation to the group of portable electronic devices, the type of defect, and/or the maintenance instructions508. For example, device router506may maintain a schedule for each service technician and assign maintenance instructions508based on the availability of each service technician and the current or future location of each service technician. In some embodiments, the skills of each service technician may be considered by matching the type of defect with the skills of the service technician (e.g., hardware defects may be matched with hardware service technicians). An optimization process may also be used when assigning maintenance instructions508so as to reduce the overall travel time of the difference service technicians. For example, when possible, maintenance instructions508corresponding to defects at the same transit location are assigned to the same service technician (i.e., routed to the same portable electronic device150).

Alternatively or additionally, maintenance instructions508may be converted into a scannable code and sent to a display device associated with the particular transit location device118at which the defect exists. For example, if the particular transit location device118at which the defect exists is gate110or any component thereof, device router506may send maintenance instructions508to display system130, as illustrated inFIG. 5. In some embodiments, device router506may detect that both portable electronic device150and the display device associated with the particular transit location device118at which the defect exists are both available to receive maintenance instructions508. In such embodiments, device router506may partition maintenance instructions508into virtual instructions and non-virtual instructions, and may send the virtual instructions to the display device and the non-virtual instructions to portable electronic device150. The virtual instructions may include data of the modeled hardware that may be displayed in an augmented reality (AR) visualization on portable electronic device150. The size of such data may be too large to download onto portable electronic device150prior to the service technician arriving at transit location160where portable electronic device150may connect directly to network140. In some implementations, the scannable code may provide a link (e.g., a web address) to a storage location in central data store144through which the virtual instructions may be downloaded onto portable electronic device150.

FIG. 6illustrates examples of sensor measurements collected by sensors104, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the example shown, the sensor measurements may be collected from electrical conductors feeding into ticket vending machine108. Sensor measurement602may be an AC supply voltage collected outside ticket vending machine108. Sensor measurement604may be a converted DC supply voltage collected after the AC supply voltage is passed through a DC power supply over a first time period. Sensor measurement606may be a converted DC supply voltage collected after the AC supply voltage is passed through the DC power supply over a second time period.

Predictive engine502may receive and analyze sensor measurements602,604, and606to determine whether a current or future defect exists within transit system100. For example, the frequency and magnitude of sensor measurement602may be analyzed to determine whether each quantity is within a particular threshold (e.g., frequency between 55 Hz and 65 Hz). As another example, the voltage of sensor measurement604may be analyzed to determine whether it exceeds an upper threshold608or is less than a lower threshold610. Because the voltage of sensor measurement604is within thresholds608and610over the measurement time period, it may be determined that no current or future defect exists. As another example, the voltage of sensor measurement606may be analyzed to determine whether it exceeds upper threshold608or is less than lower threshold610. As shown, three irregularities612are detected where thresholds608and610are crossed over the measurement time period. In some embodiments, it may be determined that a current defect exists because the number of irregularities612exceeds an allowable amount. In some embodiments, it may be determined that a future defect exists because the number of irregularities612has increased by more than an allowable amount from a first measurement time period to a second measurement time period.

FIG. 7illustrates an example of transit location160, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Transit location160as shown inFIG. 7may correspond to a bus or train station, among other possibilities. Transit location160may include a plurality of gates110separating a restricted access area114from a non-restricted access area116. One or more of gates110may be barrierless (i.e., “gateless”) (e.g., gates110-1and110-2) and one or more of gates110may include barriers (e.g., gates110-3,110-4, and110-5). Each of gates110may include media reader105positioned along one or both sides of the passageways formed by each of gates110. Each of gates110may also include audio system120and display system130positioned near media reader105for convenience to the transit customer.

Display system130may display information indicating which passageway corresponds to gate110so that transit customers can pass through the proper gate. Additionally or alternatively, display system130may display information indicating that gate110is out of service, such as that shown on display system130-3. In some embodiments, display system130-3may display a scannable code702that may be read by portable electronic device150to allow the service technician to access maintenance instructions508. According to one particular implementation, device router506may send maintenance instructions508to a display device associated with the particular transit location device118at which the defect exists. For example, if the particular transit location device118at which the defect exists is gate110-3or any component thereof, device router506may send maintenance instructions508to display system130-3. In some instances, maintenance instructions508may be converted into scannable code702so that portable electronic device150can read scannable code702and automatically load maintenance instructions508.

FIG. 8illustrates an example of how a service technician can use maintenance instructions508to address a defect, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Maintenance instructions508may provide virtual instructions where the hardware itself is modeled and displayed in an AR visualization where virtual content is placed on top of real world objects. For example, a series of steps may be presented to the service technician showing how to remove a hardware component and replace it with a new hardware component. The virtual content may be displayed in a 2D or 3D manner and may be adjusted based on a camera angle or zoom setting of portable electronic device150.

FIG. 9illustrates a method900for implementing a sensor-based automated transit maintenance system, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Method900may be performed in an order different than that shown, and not all steps of method900need be performed. In some embodiments, one or more steps of method900may be performed by one or more processors of transit server142.

At step902, sensor data134is received by transit server142. In some embodiments, sensor data134may be collected by a plurality of sensors104located at a plurality of transit locations160. Sensor data134may include sensor measurements of transit location devices118such as gate110, ticket vending machine108, or any devices or components included therein. Each of the sensor measurements may include a raw measurement corresponding to voltage, current, capacitance, inductance, temperature, frequency, or the like. In some embodiments, local data collector102receives the sensor measurements from sensors104and sends sensor data134to transit server142.

At step904, transit data122is received by transit server142. In some embodiments, transit data122includes ridership information corresponding to at least one transit customer. The ridership information may include, e.g., a request from a transit customer to purchase a ticket, a request from a transit customer to create a transit customer account, an approved payment amount to be added to a transit customer account, an indication that a transit customer has entered transit system100through a gate, an indication that a transit customer has exited transit system100through a gate, and the like. The ridership information may also include data corresponding to a large group of transit customers, such as statistics regarding the number of transit customers using different gates or transit locations.

At step906, it is determined that a current or future defect exists with transit system100. The determination may be based on an analysis of sensor data134and/or transit data122. In some embodiments, a current defect is determined to exist when an analysis of sensor data134and/or transit data122indicates that transit system100is currently not functioning properly. In contrast, a future defect is determined to exist when an analysis of sensor data134and/or transit data122indicates that transit system100will not function properly at a future time. In some embodiments, a future defect is determined to exist by generating a defect likelihood score based on sensor data134and/or transit data122. The defect likelihood score may be compared to a threshold, and in response to determining that the defect likelihood score exceeds the threshold, it may be determined that a future defect exists.

At step908, transit location160at which the defect is located is determined. In some embodiments, step908is performed concurrently and/or inherently with step906if sensor data134used to determine that a defect exists comes from a single transit location. In other embodiments, or in the same embodiments, sensor data134used to make the determination that a defect exists may be further analyzed to determine the origin of sensor data134. For example, if it is determined that sensor data134used to make the determination that a defect exists was sent by local data collector102, transit location160at which the defect is located is determined to be the same transit location as local data collector102.

At step910, maintenance instructions508for addressing the defect are generated. Maintenance instructions508may include textual, graphical, and/or audible instructions. In some embodiments, various sets of instructions for repairing transit location devices118may be stored in central data store144and may be retrieved by transit server142. In some embodiments, maintenance instructions508are specifically tailored for the service technician using portable electronic device150, taking into account factors such as level of expertise (which may affect the level of detail involved in maintenance instructions508), language, tools available to the service technician, replacement parts available to the service technician, and the like.

At step912, portable electronic device150is selected from a group of portable electronic devices. In some embodiments, the selection may be based on transit location160, a current location of portable electronic device150, a type of the defect, and/or maintenance instructions508. For example, maintenance instructions508may be assigned to portable electronic device150based on the availability, the location, and the future location of the service technician using portable electronic device150. In some embodiments, the skills of the service technician using portable electronic device150may be considered by matching the type of defect with the skills of the service technician (e.g., hardware defects may be matched with hardware service technicians, software defects may be matched with software service technicians, etc.).

At step914, maintenance instructions508are sent from transit server142either to portable electronic device150or to one of transit location devices118at transit location160. In some embodiments, if the particular transit location device118at which the defect exists is associated with a display device, device router506may send maintenance instructions508to the display device. In some embodiments, device router506may partition maintenance instructions508into virtual instructions and non-virtual instructions, and may send the virtual instructions to the display device and the non-virtual instructions to portable electronic device150.

At step916, a message indicating that the defect has been addressed is received by transit server142. In some embodiments, the message may be generated by either portable electronic device150or by one of transit location devices118at transit location160, depending on which received maintenance instructions508in step914. The message may indicate whether the defect was completely repaired and whether additional repairs are needed.

FIG. 10illustrates a simplified computer system1000, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Computer system1000may be incorporated as part of the previously described computerized devices. For example, computer system1000can represent some of the components of transit server142, portable electronic device150, local data collector102, gate110, ticket vending machine108, and the like.FIG. 10provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system1000that can perform the methods provided by various other embodiments, as described herein.FIG. 10is meant only to provide a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate.FIG. 10, therefore, broadly illustrates how individual system elements may be implemented in a relatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

The computer system1000is shown comprising hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus1005(or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processing unit1010, including without limitation one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like); one or more input devices1015, which can include without limitation a keyboard, a touchscreen, receiver, a motion sensor, a camera, a smartcard reader, a contactless media reader, and/or the like; and one or more output devices1020, which can include without limitation a display device, a speaker, a printer, a writing module, and/or the like.

The computer system1000might also include a communication interface1030, which can include without limitation a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an 802.11 device, a Wi-Fi device, a WiMax device, an NFC device, cellular communication facilities, etc.), and/or similar communication interfaces. The communication interface1030may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such as the network described below, to name one example), other computer systems, and/or any other devices described herein. In many embodiments, the computer system1000will further comprise a non-transitory working memory1035, which can include a RAM or ROM device, as described above.

Substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used, and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Moreover, hardware and/or software components that provide certain functionality can comprise a dedicated system (having specialized components) or may be part of a more generic system. For example, a risk management engine configured to provide some or all of the features described herein relating to the risk profiling and/or distribution can comprise hardware and/or software that is specialized (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a software method, etc.) or generic (e.g., processing unit1010, applications1045, etc.) Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

Some embodiments may employ a computer system (such as the computer system1000) to perform methods in accordance with the disclosure. For example, some or all of the procedures of the described methods may be performed by the computer system1000in response to processing unit1010executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into the operating system1040and/or other code, such as an application program1045) contained in the working memory1035. Such instructions may be read into the working memory1035from another computer-readable medium, such as one or more of the storage device(s)1025. Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the working memory1035might cause the processing unit1010to perform one or more procedures of the methods described herein.

The terms “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodiment implemented using the computer system1000, various computer-readable media might be involved in providing instructions/code to processing unit1010for execution and/or might be used to store and/or carry such instructions/code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, a computer-readable medium is a physical and/or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as the storage device(s)1025. Volatile media include, without limitation, dynamic memory, such as the working memory1035. Transmission media include, without limitation, coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus1005, as well as the various components of the communication interface1030(and/or the media by which the communication interface1030provides communication with other devices). Hence, transmission media can also take the form of waves (including without limitation radio, acoustic and/or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infrared data communications).

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable media include, for example, a magnetic medium, optical medium, or any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

The communication interface1030(and/or components thereof) generally will receive the signals, and the bus1005then might carry the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to the working memory1035, from which the processor(s) 1005 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the working memory1035may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device1025either before or after execution by the processing unit1010.