Abstract:
A centralized information center is disclosed. The centralized information center includes a plurality of source information inputs. The centralized information center disclosed also includes a central processor configured to receive information from the source information inputs and a memory coupled to the processor. A program runs on the central processor. The program organizes information, prioritizes information and generates information flows. Selective information flows are provided to a central office for a transportation system and to a transportation vehicle. The plurality of source information inputs includes vehicle-related information, operations-related information, and external service provider information.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/093,080 filed on Mar. 7, 2002, now abandoned which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/274,276, filed on Mar. 8, 2001, entitled “Integrated System for Detailed Passenger Information and Support of Traffic Management,” and is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates generally to systems for managing information in transportation systems. Further, the disclosure relates to a system in which detailed passenger information, traffic management and other information is integrated and managed by a centralized system. 
     Conventionally there exist transportation systems which utilize a centralized system for providing schedule and other passenger-specific information to transportation vehicles and to transportation kiosks and terminals. Such systems are able to provide passengers and awaiting passengers with information relating to the arrival and/or departure of transportation vehicles. However, as information systems and communication networks have grown in both importance and usability, there are available various information sources, all providing different types of data for passenger consumption, awaiting passenger consumption, and other purposes. However, conventionally there have not been systems and/or methods configured to handle different types of inconsistent data, to prioritize the data, to organize the data, and to correlate the data. Accordingly, the quality of service provided to passengers, awaiting passengers, and other users of the information has been less than ideal. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a centralized information system in which information may be supplied by external sources and can be centrally selected, combined, and organized. There is also a need for a centralized information system for a transportation system that provides consistent data to mobile and stationary information points. Further, there is a need for a centralized information system for a transportation system which is configured to selectively provide all mobile and stationary information points with specified information, substantially simultaneously. Further still, there is a need for a centralized information system for a transit system that includes interfaces between the external sources which are uniformly managed and monitored. Yet further still, there is a need for a centralized information system for a transit system that provides balancing between services that are provided jointly with the transportation operator or by a single party, and external service providers. Yet further still, there is a need for a centralized information system for a transit system which is configured to automate the information integration. 
     It would be desirable to provide systems and/or methods that provide one or more of these or other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment relates to a centralized information center. The centralized information center includes a plurality of source information inputs. The centralized information center also includes a central processor, configured to receive information from the source information inputs. Further, the centralized information center includes a memory coupled to the processor. Further still, the centralized information center includes a program running on the central processor and a program configured to organize information, prioritize information and generate information flows. Selected information flows are provided to a central office for a transportation system and to a transportation vehicle. The plurality of source information inputs include vehicle-related information, operations related information, and external service provider information. 
     Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of managing information for a transportation system. The method includes receiving, by an information center, information from a plurality of information sources. The information includes vehicle-related information, operations-related information, and external service provider information. The method also includes recording, by the information center, the received information. Further, the method includes processing, by the information center, the received information such that the information is organized and prioritized. Further still, the method includes distributing, by the information center, the information to transportation vehicles, external service providers, and external access points. 
     Another exemplary embodiment further relates to a method of managing information for a transportation system. The method includes receiving, by an information center, information from a plurality of information sources. The information includes vehicle-related information, operations-related information, and external service provider information. The method also includes recording, by the information center, the received information. Further, the method includes processing, by the information center, the received information such that the information is selected, organized, and combined. Further still, the method includes distributing, by the information center, the information to transportation vehicles, external service providers, and external access points. 
     Yet further still, an exemplary embodiment relates to an information management system for a transportation system. The information management system includes a means for receiving, by an information center, information from a plurality of information sources. The information includes vehicle-related information, operations-related information, and external service provider information. The information management system also includes a means for recording, by the information center, the received information. The information management system also includes a means for processing, by the information center, the received information such that the information is selected, organized, and combined. Yet further still, the information management system includes a means for distributing, by the information center, the information to transportation vehicles, external service providers, and external access points. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary block diagram of a centralized information system; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary process diagram depicting methods relating to handling of delays and/or status reports; and 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary process diagram depicting methods of handling billing and/or accounting information. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a centralized information management system  100  is depicted. Centralized information management system includes an information center  110 . Information center  110  receives information from a plurality of sources, the information center  110  having a plurality of source information inputs from the plurality of external sources. Information center  110  may be, for example, the central office of a transportation system operator. 
     One source of information may include the passenger-conveying means  120  of the transportation operator. Transportation-conveying means  120  may be, in an exemplary embodiment, a train, a bus, a tram, a subway, a monorail, an airplane, a ship, or other passenger-conveying means. 
     Another exemplary input to information center  110  may include access points  130  to the transportation operators-conveying means. Access points  130  may include, but are not limited to, transit centers, transit kiosks, transit shelters, transit depots, and interactive information sources at locations in which passengers may be boarding a transit vehicle or conveying means. At access points  130 , electronic output devices such as signs and/or screens having information which is changed dynamically throughout the day and are configured to provide information to persons such as awaiting passengers. The information displayed to awaiting passengers may include, but is not limited to, arrival information, departure information, advertising information, entertainment information, and the like. 
     Another exemplary input to information center  110  may include transportation operator  140 . Transportation operator  140  may be a time schedule system, transit control center, transit control computer, dispatch system, or the like. Transportation  140  may include functionality to report time scheduling and tracking of transit vehicles as well as managing transit vehicles and transit system functions. Information relating to transit vehicles location, schedules, etc. is communicated to information center  110 . 
     Yet another exemplary input to information center  110  may include information from external stationary information points  150 . External stationary information points  150  may be, in an exemplary embodiment, terminals, signs, kiosks, mobile devices, etc. that may be located at shops, and in public places, at homes, in airports, in railway stations, bus depots, bus shelters, on a person, etc. External stationary information points  150  may have both generalized and specific information relating to the transit system along with other types of information. 
     Still yet another exemplary input to information center  110  may include information from external service providers  160 . External service providers  160  provide information that is nontransit related, such as advertisements, commercials, news, public service announcements, weather announcements, etc. External service providers  160  may provide such information for a fee or may provide service information for free or alternatively, may receive a fee for providing such information. External service providers may also include providers of entertainment that may be utilized, in conveying means  120  or at access points  130 , by awaiting passengers or passengers on transit vehicles. 
     Information center  110  is therefore configured to receive input from a plurality of information sources, including, but not limited to conveying means of the transportation operator  120 , access points to the transportation operators conveying means  130 , transportation operator  140 , external stationary information point  150 , and external service provider  160 . As well, information center  110  is configured to provide information to conveying means of the transportation operator  120 , access points to the transportation operator&#39;s conveying means  130 , transportation operator  140 , external stationary information points  150 , and external service providers  160 . Communications between the information sources and information center  110  may be carried out over a plurality of communications infrastructure, including, but not limited to the internet, and other public communications networks and/or private or custom communications networks. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, information sources  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150 , and  160  provide information to information center  110 . Information center  110  receives information from the information sources via a variety of information inputs. Information center  110  is configured to organize, prioritize, manage, record, evaluate, balance, and/or combine the incoming information and generate a plurality of outgoing information flows. The outgoing information flows are then provided back to the information sources  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150 , and  160  for processing and/or display. In an exemplary embodiment, it may also be desirable to provide information between transportation operator  140  and access point  130  directly bypassing information center  110 . Such direct access may be used for certain scheduling and/or alert tasks. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a process  200  is depicted. Process  200  relates to methods of handling delays and/or status reports utilizing information center  110 . During normal operation, that is dispatching information for delays, passenger information, scheduling information, advertising information, vehicle status information, etc. (step  202 ) information center  110  carries out the functionality. Information center  110  decodes inputs and calculates and/or determines consequences (step  204 ). The inputs are received from information sources such as, but not limited to conveying means  120 , transportation operator  140  and access points  130 . 
     During normal operation conveying means  120  displays standard information, advertisements, and calculates delays, and checks vehicle status (step  220 ). Calculation of delays, status checks within the vehicle are made by an onboard electronic and computer system (step  222 ). Delays that are calculated are confirmed within the vehicle or the delay status is reported (step  224 ). An outgoing message is then created (step  226 ). The outgoing message is then transmitted to the information center (step  228 ). The information is then sent to information center  110  at step  204 . 
     Similarly, a transportation operator operates according to a transport central specification (step  240 ). A plurality of necessary actions may be determined by transportation operator  140  (step  242 ). For example, if a vehicle breaks down on the route, an order or dispatch of replacement vehicles could be made by transportation operator  140 . Further, in an exemplary embodiment, if there are substantial delays on a route or specific routes are running behind schedule or are overburdened, additional vehicles may be dispatched by transportation operator  140 . Such analysis may be based on other inputs, for example, information may be transmitted to transportation operator  140  by information center  110  (step  210 ). The information from information center  110  may include but is not limited to information which originated with conveying means  120 . Transportation operator  240  then transmits, to external partners (i.e., access points, vehicles via information center  110 ), specific information generated by transportation operator  140  (step  244 ). Once the information is transmitted to information center  110 , transportation operator  140  returns to normal operation (step  246 ). 
     Access point  130  operates in a normal operation by displaying passenger information, delay information, advertising information, etc. (step  250 ). Information center  110  updates vehicle information based on all of the incoming information and the information flows that have been generated (step  212 ). Vehicle information is sent to the vehicle or conveying means  120  and a new display routine is run utilizing the vehicle information (step  230 ). The information system on conveying means  120  then returns to normal operation (step  232 ). Once the vehicle information has been updated, access point  130  information is similarly updated (step  214 ). Access points  130  receive information from information center  214  to update access point  130 . Such information is decoded and prepared to produce display changes (step  252 ). Once the information has been decoded and prepared and display changes have been made, a new display routine is run (step  254 ). The new display content is then confirmed and sent to information system  110  (step  256 ). The confirmed display content information is used by information center  110  and recorded, for billing and display assurance functions. Once the confirmed message has been sent to information center  110  access point  130  returns to normal operation (step  258 ). As information center  110  updates access point  130  information, information center  110  then returns to normal operation (step  216 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary process diagram  300  is depicted including methods of handling, billing and/or accounting information. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, information center  110  interacts with conveying means  120  and external service provider  160 . Information center  110  operates in a normal manner, that is dispatching information for delays, passenger information, advertisement vehicle statuses, etc. (step  310 ). Inputs are received from conveying means  120  and external service provider  160  and such inputs are decoded and consequences are determined and calculated (step  312 ). 
     Conveying means  120  operates in a normal manner, that is displaying standard information, advertisements, delay calculations, making vehicle status checks, etc. (step  330 ). Logic flow control between advertisements, passenger information, and other information is established for the vehicle (step  332 ). Advertisement sequences are then completed (step  334 ). Information is then transmitted to information center  110  step  312  (step  336 ). 
     External service provider  160  operates in a normal manner, that is producing news, advertisements, billing, accounting for the customer, etc. (step  350 ). New information sequences for vehicles are completed by the external service providers (step  352 ). Availability of vehicles is checked by the external service provider (step  354 ) and information is transmitted to information center  110  (step  356 ). Once information center  312  receives the inputs from conveying means  120  and external service provider  160  and consequences are calculated in step  312 , priority control between the operating modes is begun (step  314 ). The priority is based on the information received from the conveying means and the external service providers. Within information center  110 , a check for communication partners, in other words the transportation provider, the advertiser supplier, etc. are checked (step  316 ). Based on the check, a calculation is made for billing the corresponding vehicle, track, provider, etc. for the information services provided (step  318 ). Information center  110  then transmits billing information to the external service provider (step  320 ). External service provider  160  receives the billing information and then returns to normal operation (step  358 ). After the information is transmitted to the external service provider, information is updated and is provided to vehicle  120  (step  330 ). Information is then displayed on vehicle  120  (step  338 ) and the vehicle returns to normal operation (step  340 ). Once the information is updated by information center  110 , information center  110  returns to normal operation (step  324 ). 
     Information center  110  records, processes and distributes information from and between the central office of a transportation operator  140 , the passenger conveying means of the same transportation operator  120 , other external service providers  160 , stationary access locations to the conveying means of transportation operator  130 , and other external stationary information points  150 . Information system  110  supports traffic management, provides passenger information (conveyance related), such as but not limited to schedules, vehicle status, passenger load information, etc. Information center  110  also coordinates passenger information (non-conveyance related), such as advertising, news, weather and public service announcements. Information center  110  balances the services provided by the information sources between the transportation operators and other service providers. 
     Communication flows are provided between information center  110  and the plurality of information sources. Conveyance related information is sent between a transportation operator  140  and information center  110  (e.g. travel schedules, updated scheduled data, etc.). Information center  110  also records information which is operations related and is received from the transit vehicle or the passenger conveying means  120  of the transportation operator (e.g., operating statuses, driving data, etc.). Information center  110  further receives and records information from external service provider  160  (e.g., advertisements, current news, instructions, etc.). At information center  110  the information coming into the information center is evaluated, linked together and summarized into new outgoing information flows. The generated information flows are then distributed to recipients based on the type of information flow and the assignment. 
     For example, information from information center  110  may be sent to transportation operator  140 . Such information may include operations related information from passenger conveying means  120 . Further, information may be sent from information center  110  to passenger conveying means  120 . Such information may include, but is not limited to conveyance related and non-conveyance related information for the passengers and operations related information for the operating personnel. Information from information center  110  may also be sent to central offices of external service providers. Such information may include, but is not limited to conveyance related information. Further still, information from information center  110  may be sent to external stationary information points  150  and may include, but is not limited to, conveyance related and non-conveyance related information for the passengers (for example, to railroad stations and bus terminals). Yet further still, information center  110  may send information flows to external stationary access points  130 , such information may include, but is not limited to, conveyance related and non-conveyance related information, for example, information useful to potential passengers of a transportation operator. 
     Information center  110  also receives from access points  130  and from external stationary information points  150  information which may be used to prepare an accounting of services provided from access points  130  or information points  150 . 
     In using information center  110 , information supplied by the external information sources can be centrally selected, combined, and organized in either a manual or automated fashion. The consistency of data sent to the information points will be insured with respect to content and representation by the information center. Further still, the information on the actual traffic process used, for example, current tardiness, updated travel connections, etc. to mobile and stationary information points may be provided substantially simultaneously. Interfaces between the subsystems may be uniformly managed and monitored by information center  110 . Services provided jointly or by one party may be balanced between the transportation operator and external service providers by using information center  110 . Further still, integrated functions are automated by information center  110 . 
     Information center  110  may be configured to work with any transportation operator, for example, with a railway company, a shipping company, a bus company, etc. The transportation operator is characterized by the fact that it organizes at its own central office the traffic flow of its passenger conveying means between a stationary access point of passengers to the conveying means. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, cooperation with a railway company as a transportation operator is described below in an exemplary embodiment. At information center  110 , the system records information from the railway company central office (transportation operator  140 ) and from passenger trains of the railway company (conveying means  120 ). Current, conveyance related information is then sent by a mobile radio by the passenger trains of the railway company to information center  110 . For example, a public mobile radio network such as, but not limited to global system for mobile communications (GSM) is used as the radio network. In particular, the information includes current position reports of the passenger trains that deviate from the schedule and, if necessary, messages regarding operational malfunctions that have occurred on the passenger trains. Position messages are determined in each passenger train, for example, by the use of a satellite navigation system such as the global positioning system (GPS). Operational malfunctions may be determined in each conveying means, for example, by use of an electronic diagnostic system. Messages of the passenger trains are transferred from information center  110  to the railway company central office. For example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) data network may be used as the transmission line. Messages received from the passenger trains may be evaluated at the railway company central office. In this process, as a service, the railway company may wish to make available to its passengers any knowledge that may be received on current deviations from the overall schedule. For example, this may be a case of late arrival times and/or updated changes to scheduled connections. The transportation operator transfers the schedule information to information center  110 , for example, by way of a data network. In particular, it also determines the current deviations that will be reported to the passengers. 
     Information center  110  prepares information and transmits it by way of a radio network (e.g., the GSM network) to the conveying mans of the transportation operator. Information center  110  also prepares and transmits information by way of digital telephone network (e.g., ISDN) using, a satellite-protected message distribution system, or mobile radio (e.g., GSM) to the train stations, for example. Information center  110  also prepares and transmits information by way of one or more of the transmission means mentioned above to other stationary information points  150  outside the area of influence of the railway company (e.g., in stores, airports, hotels, etc.). Current information will be made accessible simultaneously to customers and potential customers of the transportation operator at all information points of the three types named. Information terminals with screens, such as kiosks, and optionally equipped with printers, may be used. 
     Functions described above may be supplemented with additional information. Additional information may include, but is not limited to, advertising, current news, entertainment, programs, train or plane schedule information, for example. The information may be offered centrally from the external service providers, or it may be non-conveyance related information from the railway company itself. The information from the external service providers (like that of the railway company itself) may be transmitted to information center  110 , for example, by using a LAN or WAN data network, processed there and distributed to the mobile and stationary information points described above. Services provided on the passenger trains, at the train stations, and the external stationary information points are transferred to information center  110  using data feedback on the transmission lines described above, processed there to prepare balances, and passed on to the railway company and the external service providers. 
     Accordingly, the basic problem that the existence of various information sources in servicing a transportation system and of different destinations for the information as well as very heterogeneous kinds of information to be delivered (e.g. messages about delays to/from traffic control stations, commercials, billing information, passenger announcements, train reports, all kinds of information which may be relevant or non-relevant to the conveyance of passengers or goods), must be handled by information system  110 . Historically, such inconsistent types of data have been problematic. The quality of service with regards to the information is often times poor. To solve the quality of service problem, information center  110  manages the information which cares for the accurate, time near or at least time fairly near delivery of the required data. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, information center  110  is useful for accounting and balancing procedures. External provider and partners must rely on accurate information about how their service (e.g. entertainment) has been used within the system. Accordingly, information center  110  tracks the use of such information and such information is collected and communicated to the service providers accordingly. 
     Information center  110  evaluates, correlates, and combines arriving information to form new information flows. In an exemplary embodiment, the calculations are based on information generated by the conveyance means (e.g. positions, delays, stations, etc.), stored information (general time schedule), information from conveyance provider, actual time schedule, requirements from external provider (e.g. commercial updates). Software for information center  110  may be developed on standard database platforms or may be generated in other manners. 
     The process diagrams depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3  serve only as exemplary embodiments. The information flows are not limited to those depicted and the diagrams of  FIGS. 2 and 3  are not restricted to the specific types of information flows shown. Information center  110  may be configured to handle other types and numbers of information flows. 
     While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulations given describe preferred and exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The inventions disclosed are not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, the methods may be performed in any of a variety of sequence of steps. The hardware and software configurations shown and described may differ depending on the chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the computing devices. For example, the type of computing device, communications bus, or processor used may differ. The systems and methods depicted and described are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.