Abstract:
A system is disclosed that features a transport vehicle that carries responsive objects in which the objects are equipped to provide state information about their states when queried. The transport vehicle is outfitted with a proxy that represents the responsive objects. The proxy is configured such that it is better able than the responsive objects to receive state query signals from a querying device. The vehicle is also outfitted with I) sensors that detect the responsive objects and ii) sensors that detect state information of the vehicle, in which both sets of sensors provide information to the proxy. The object sensors are able to detect the state of each responsive object or query the object about its state in the same way as the querying device would query those objects in the prior art. The proxy then responds to the query on behalf of the responsive objects.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications in general, and, more particularly, to providing a mechanism for making of reservations concerning the transportation of one or more passengers or portable objects, such as a cargo unit. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Dynamic rescheduling can be used to increase the quality of service in the transportation of goods and passengers. When a flight is delayed, it is probable that a passenger would miss a connecting flight and would be in need for a new flight reservation. Similarly, when meals are not served on a prolonged flight, it is foreseeable that a passenger would be hungry after the flight and need a restaurant reservation. Furthermore, when a perishable cargo reaches a higher than recommended temperature during its shipping, it is foreseeable that the cargo would spoil faster and that alternative shipping reservations need to be made so that the cargo can get to its destination earlier. The ability to make these reservations before the passenger has landed, or before the perishable cargo has spoiled, can bring a dramatic improvement in the transportation of goods and people and a further increase in customer satisfaction. 
         [0003]    One method to make these reservations is to manually monitor the state of each passenger and each cargo unit transported and schedule the appropriate reservations as the need for them arises. However, the sheer number of passengers and cargo units in transit, at any give point in time, makes this method not feasible. 
         [0004]    A better approach is to make the reservations automatically by associating each passenger and cargo unit with a “responsive object” capable of reporting the state of the passenger, or cargo unit. This way a central reservation system can be configured to periodically submit inquiries about the states of the “responsive objects” and make the appropriate reservations in response to the answers to those inquiries. The inquiries can originate from a location that is near the cargo unit being transported or from a location that is thousands of miles away from the unit. In either case, a portable object that is capable of responding to an inquiry about itself, such as an outfitted cargo unit, is considered to be a “responsive object.” When a responsive object, is located outside, on land, and is stationary, the responsive object is usually able to receive and respond to an inquiry. In contrast, when a responsive object is inside a vehicle or an airplane, far from land, or moving, the ability of the responsive object to receive and respond to inquiries can be impeded. Therefore, a need exists for a reservation system that has an improved ability to monitor the condition and state of responsive objects. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Some embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for monitoring the state of responsive objects which are in transit, including their locations, without some of the disadvantages of the prior art, and using the state information for the cancellation and scheduling of transactions concerning the transportation of the cargo units, or passengers, with which the responsive objects are associated. For the purposes of this specification, a “responsive object,” and its inflected forms, is defined as a portable object, such as a cellular phone or a wireless terminal, which is capable of responding to an inquiry about itself, such as a location- or other state-related query, having been outfitted with one or more sensors, a radio, and associated electronics. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a vehicle in which one or more responsive objects are present is outfitted with a proxy that represents the responsive objects. The proxy is configured such that it is better able than the responsive objects to receive position-determining signals from one or more Global Positioning System satellites, or from another position-determining source. In some embodiments, the proxy is also configured such that it is better able than the responsive objects to receive inquiry signals from a querying device and is therefore able to represent those objects. The vehicle is also outfitted with i) one or more sensors that detect the responsive objects that are present at the vehicle and ii) one or more sensors that detect state information of the vehicle. Both sets of sensors provide information to the proxy. In some embodiments, the responsive-object sensors are able to query each responsive object in the same way that the querying device queries those objects in the prior art. The state of the vehicle can comprise, but is not limited to, one or more of the vehicle&#39;s location, its destination, its weight, and one or more environmental conditions inside and/or outside the vehicle such as temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. 
         [0006]    Moreover, the illustrative embodiment also comprises a scheduler which monitors the state of the responsive objects and makes the appropriate reservations for their transportation. For example, the scheduler can be used to monitor whether a passenger on an airplane received a meal and make a restaurant reservation upon detecting that a meal was not served, such that the reservation is made in accordance with information contained in a preference database containing the preferences of the passenger with respect to price range and type of cuisine, for example. 
         [0007]    More specifically, the scheduler determines whether the passenger was served a meal by making periodic inquiries to the responsive object associated with the passenger. When the scheduler submits an inquiry to the responsive object about its state, the proxy intercepts the inquiry and responds with the status of the vehicle. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the responsive objects use different protocols, and the proxy is multi-lingual in the sense that it can communicate with the inquirer with the same protocol that is used to communicate with the responsive object. In this way, the illustrative embodiment provides a mechanism for monitoring the location and condition of the responsive object without some of the costs and disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. The illustrative embodiment comprises: a preference database; a vehicle; a first object capable of responding to a first inquiry about the state of the first object, wherein the first inquiry is formatted in accordance with a first protocol; a first sensor for sensing when the first object is within the vehicle; a second sensor for sensing a first state of the vehicle; and a proxy for responding to a first inquiry about the state of the first object with the state of the vehicle when the first object is within the vehicle; and a scheduler for making reservations based on the response of the proxy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of the salient components of reservation system  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting the salient subtasks associated with the performance of task  201 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of the salient components of reservation system  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Reservation system  100  comprises: vehicle  101 , responsive object  111 , responsive object  112 , proxy  121 , responsive object sensor  131 , luggage sensor  141 , temperature sensor  142 , scheduler  151 , and preference database  161 , interrelated as shown. 
         [0012]    The illustrative embodiment as disclosed herein comprises certain features, yet many variations of what is disclosed are possible. First, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, proxy  121  is within vehicle  101 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which proxy  121  is outside of vehicle  101 . Second, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, vehicle  101  comprises two responsive objects, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that comprise any number of responsive objects. Third, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, vehicle  101  comprises one object sensor, one luggage sensor, and one temperature sensor, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that comprise any number and kind of environmental sensors, such as, for example and without limitation, barometric sensors, light sensors, gravimetric sensors, audio sensors etc. 
         [0013]    Vehicle  101  is an airplane for carrying responsive object  111 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, vehicle  101  is an airplane, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which vehicle  101  is another mode of transportation, such as, for example and without limitation, a ship, an airplane, a train, etc. In any case, it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use vehicle  101 . 
         [0014]    Responsive object  111  comprises:
       (i) a payload (not shown),   (ii) a location sensor (not shown) for detecting the location of responsive object  111 ,   (iii) a humidity sensor (not shown) for detecting the ambient humidity in the proximity of responsive object  111 ,   (iv) a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the ambient temperature in the proximity of responsive object  111 ,   (v) hardware and software (not shown) that is capable of responding to an inquiry about the state of responsive object  111  with information from the location sensor, the humidity sensor, and the temperature sensor.       
 
         [0020]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object  111  is associated with a cargo unit, such as a freight container, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art how to devise alternative embodiments of the present invention where responsive object  111  is associated with a person. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the inquiry is formatted in accordance with a first protocol. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use responsive object  111 . 
         [0021]    As those who are skilled in the art will appreciate, in some alternative embodiments, a second responsive object can be present, either within vehicle  101  or within another vehicle. If this is the case, second responsive object comprises different software or hardware from first responsive object, and is capable of receiving an inquiry formatted in accordance with a second protocol that is different from the first protocol. However, it will be clear to those skilled in in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the first protocol and the second protocol are the same. Also, it would be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the hardware and software comprising responsive object  111  and second responsive object are the same. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object  111  is associated with a cargo unit, such as a freight container, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art how to devise alternative embodiments of the present invention where responsive object  111  is associated with a person, such as, and without limitation, an airplane passenger, train passenger, bus passenger, etc. 
         [0022]    Proxy  121  is hardware and software for responding to inquiries about the state of responsive object  111  when responsive object  111  is unavailable to respond to those inquiries itself. For example, when responsive object  111  is on an airplane, its radio transmitter may be turned off to avoid interference with the airplane&#39;s avionics. In such case, proxy  121  would compensate for the unavailability of responsive object  111 , by intercepting queries directed to responsive object  111  and answering those inquiries by using input from responsive object sensor  131 , luggage sensor  141  and temperature sensor  142 , which are described below. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, proxy  121  is capable of responding to inquiries directed to responsive object  111  in accordance with the first protocol and to inquiries directed to other responsive objects. 
         [0023]    Responsive object sensor  131  is hardware and software for detecting the presence or absence of responsive object  111  inside of vehicle  101  and for detecting the presence or absence of responsive object  112  inside of vehicle  101 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object sensor  131  comprises a single housing, but it would be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which responsive object sensor  131  comprises multiple housings. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object sensor  131  uses radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tags in well-known fashion, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which responsive object sensor  131  is something else, such as and without limitation, an optical bar code system, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object sensor  131  is located inside vehicle  101 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which responsive object sensor  131  is located outside of vehicle  101 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use responsive object sensor  131 . 
         [0024]    Luggage sensor  141  is hardware and software for detecting whether the luggage of a passenger associated with responsive object  111  is on vehicle  101 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, luggage sensor  141  comprises a single housing, but it would be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which luggage sensor comprises multiple housings. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, luggage sensor  141  uses radio frequency identification (“RFID”) in well known, but it will clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which luggage sensor comprises something else, such as and without limitation, optical bar code system, or a connection to a central database that contains a registration of what luggage is on board of vehicle  101 . It would be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use luggage sensor  141 . 
         [0025]    Temperature Sensor  142  is hardware for measuring the temperature inside and outside of vehicle  101 . Temperature sensor  142  acts as a proxy for the temperature sensors within responsive object  111  and responsive object  112 , respectively. Although temperature sensor  143  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as comprising a single housing within vehicle  101 , it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  143  is outside of vehicle  101 . Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  142  comprises a plurality of housings. And still furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  142  comprises a connection to a weather reporting service, such as, for example, http://www.weather.gov. It would be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use temperature sensor  142 . 
         [0026]    Scheduler  151  is hardware and software for making shipping reservations in response to the state of responsive object  111  as reported by proxy  121  where the reservations comply with limitations and specifications in preference database  161 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, scheduler  151  is for making reservations for the transportation of a cargo unit, but it would be obvious to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to devise alternative embodiments where scheduler  151  is used for the making of passenger travel reservations. In accordance with the present embodiment, scheduler  151  is for the making of shipping reservations but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the scheduler is for executing any possible travel-related transaction, such as and not limited to, hotel reservation, flight cancellation, restaurant reservation, purchasing of theater tickets, etc. 
         [0027]    Preference database  161  is hardware and software for storing preferences, limitations and specifications for the making of reservations concerning responsive object  111 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, preference database  161  stores information about what expenses are acceptable with respect to the reservations made by scheduler  151 , but it would be obvious to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to devise alternative embodiments of the present invention in which preference database  161  is, for example and not limited to, storing corporate employee expense policies, personal dietary preferences, etc. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment,  FIG. 1  depicts scheduler  151  and preference database  161  as contained in separate housings, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention where scheduler  151  and preference database are contained in the same housing. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    At task  201 , scheduler  151  detects the state of responsive object  111  by making an inquiry in accordance with a first protocol. Task  201  comprises several sub-steps which are described in detail in the discussion concerning  FIG. 3  below. 
         [0030]    At task  202 , scheduler  151  executes transactions concerning the transportation of a cargo unit associated with responsive object  111 , as necessary, based on the state of responsive object  111 . For example, a perishable cargo unit can have a life of 30 days if stored at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius or less, and 60 days if kept under 20 degrees Celsius or less. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the cargo unit associated with responsive object  111  is monitored through proxy  121  and when the temperature of the cargo unit is such that the cargo unit is likely to spoil before the arrival to its destination, scheduler  151  cancels all existing shipping arrangements for the cargo unit and schedules new ones that would allow the cargo unit to arrive at its destination faster. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which scheduler  151  makes passenger transportation reservations, dinner reservations, theater tickets purchases, etc. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting the salient subtasks associated with the performance of task  201 . 
         [0032]    At task  301 , object sensor  131  detects the presence of responsive object  111  inside vehicle  101 , which indicates that responsive object  111  is unwilling or incapable of responding to inquiries about its own status. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use embodiments of the present invention that accomplish task  301   
         [0033]    At task  302 , proxy  121  intercepts an inquiry directed to responsive object  111 , regarding a state of responsive object  111 , and in accordance with a first protocol. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the inquiry is transmitted to proxy  121  via wireless telecommunications. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the inquiry is about the temperature of a cargo unit associated with responsive object  111 , but it would be obvious to those skilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention where the the inquiry is regarding whether the luggage of a passenger associated with responsive object  111  is on vehicle  101 , or whether the passenger would be hungry after an airplane flight, etc. 
         [0034]    At task  304 , proxy  121  responds to the inquiry for responsive object  111  with the state of vehicle  101  in accordance with the first protocol. For example, to the inquiry about the temperature of responsive object  111 , proxy  121  would respond with the temperature of vehicle  101  (as measured by temperature sensor  143 ) in accordance with the first protocol. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the operation of proxy  121  is invisible to transmitter of the inquiry, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the operation of proxy  121  is made known to the transmitter of the inquiry.