Patent Publication Number: US-2015066558-A1

Title: Context aware command and control system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Current state of the art in command and control systems is to use historic or predictive data to identify the need for resources and create apriori schedules based on expected patterns of need to determine when to deliver the necessary resources to each location. A typical example of this is public transportation planning which creates fixed schedules for trains and/or buses and depends on the public to continue to demand the service in line with preplanned resources. This results in wasted use of resources if the situation changes and the command and control system does not adapt to these changes in how it supplies the resources. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout. It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard practice in the industry various features may not be drawn to scale and are used for illustration purposes only. In fact, the dimensions of the various features in the drawings may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a context aware command and control system in some embodiments as applied to a metropolitan railway application; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a server/client portion of a context aware command and control system in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  is a flow chart of a context aware command and control system in some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  is a flow chart of a context aware command and control system as applied to a public transportation system in some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computer portion of the context aware command and control system in some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are examples and are not intended to be limiting. 
     To achieve greater efficiency in systems, a context aware capability is developed. Applying this to a public transportation system, relevant and informative data beyond historical ridership patterns is generated, exchanged, analyzed and acted upon to reschedule current train behaviours such as with real-time reschedule and real-time regulation of public transportation system operation, including changed train station dwell time, changed number of cars in a given train, scheduling additional stops, scheduling additional local and/or express trains, and adjusting/optimizing travel-time and headway in real-time to meet the demand and/or improve energy efficiency, etc. The relevant and informative data includes weather forecasts, traffic delays, large event schedules affecting public transportation use, such as popular sporting, musical and other events, and data reflecting real-time public transportation needs and use. The real time data is produced from a mobile telephone application that provides a two-way exchange of data between a mobile telephone user and mobile server. In some embodiments the mobile server supports cloud-based computing. This data is developed in conjunction with a mobile telephone application, received by the mobile server, and transmitted to a vehicle network control system to provide a context aware public transportation control system. In some embodiments the context aware public transportation control system is used to improve performance of an automated (driverless) train control system. 
     The context aware public transportation control system includes three main components; a vehicle network control system such as a train control system, a mobile server, and a mobile device application resident on a mobile device of a public transportation user or potential user. The vehicle network control system receives information from users using the mobile application executed on their mobile devices through one or more mobile servers. The information received from the mobile application includes the user&#39;s boarding station, destination station, ticketing information, special needs of the user and other relevant user specific information. The vehicle network control system also receives additional information, such as weather forecast, traffic delays, special events, e.g., sporting events, and other relevant non-user specific information. In some examples, the vehicle network control system also predicts special events based on passenger volume and destination information. In some examples, the additional information is received from the mobile application. In some examples, the additional information is received from external sources, such as venue calendars, traffic systems, meteorological data centers, etc. The vehicle network control system uses pattern recognition to analyze the collected information in combination with historical data to make a real time determination regarding operation of vehicles within a guideway network. The vehicle network control system also provides updates to the mobile application executed on the mobile device through the mobile server. The information provided to the application includes updated vehicle schedules, the number of passengers in a station, ticketing information, type of vehicle, e.g., local or express, alerts regarding service outages and other relevant information. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a context aware public transportation control system  100  in accordance with some embodiments. The context aware public transportation control system  100  includes a mobile device  102 , a mobile device server  104  and a train control system  106 . The mobile device  102  may be a tablet-type personal computer such as those made by Apple (iPad), Samsung (Galaxy), Microsoft (Surface), or Amazon (Kindle), or a smart mobile telephone such as those wireless cellular telephones made by Apple (iPhone), Motorola (Droid) and Samsung (Galaxy), etc., having the ability to support third party application software. In some embodiments, the mobile device  102  is another type of wireless data exchanging portable device, such as a laptop, etc. In accordance with a server/client model of some embodiments, the mobile device  102  supports a context aware mobile device client application (“mobile application”)  108  and the mobile device server  104  supports a mobile device server application  110 . The mobile application  108  is in bidirectional communications with the mobile device server application  110 . More specifically, the mobile application  108  uses the mobile device  102  to wirelessly transmit data to the mobile device server application  110  that resides on the mobile device server  104 . The mobile device server application  110  uses the mobile device server  104  to wirelessly transmit data to the mobile application  108  on the mobile device  102 . Note that while the mobile device  102  and the mobile device server  104  are described here in singular terms, a plurality of mobile devices and mobile device servers is also envisioned for the context aware public transportation system  100  in some embodiments. 
     Data received by the mobile device server application  110  from the mobile application  108  is transmitted by the mobile device server application  110  to a user data collection point  112  within the train control system  106 . Data received by the user data collection point  112  is transmitted to the data analysis engine  114 . Data from the data analysis engine  114 , such as a transportation parameter relating to current ridership or predicted future ridership is provided to a system management engine  116  for making corresponding changes to public transportation conveyances. (examples of system management engines are System Management Centre SMC &amp; Automatic Train Supervision ATS) In some embodiments the public transportation conveyances are trains. Data from the system management engine  116  is transferred to a system data access point  118 . Data received by the system access point  118  in the train control system  106  is transmitted to the mobile device server application  110  in the mobile device server  104 . Data from the mobile device server application  110  in the mobile device server  104  is transmitted to the mobile application  108  in the mobile device  102 . Thus data is exchanged bidirectionally between the mobile device server  104  and the mobile device  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a server/client portion  200  of a context aware public transportation control system  100  in accordance with some embodiments. Data transmitted from the mobile device server application  110  being executed by the mobile device server  104  to the context aware mobile device client application (“mobile application”) being executed by the mobile device  102  includes passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 . The passenger traffic load (feedback)  220  includes information on the measured passenger loads on currently deployed trains and predicted future passenger loads for trains. The passenger traffic load (feedback)  220  received by a user&#39;s mobile application is indicative of the current transportation conditions, i.e., the context, and in some embodiments is reviewed by the passenger to help that passenger plan their trip accordingly. Because some passengers may seek less crowded trains, for example, to improve their odds of finding a seat, not only is individual passenger experience improved for those passengers, overall efficiency of public transportation system is improved because the passenger loads may become more evenly distributed. 
     Data transmitted from the mobile device server application  110  to the mobile application includes delays  222 . Delays  222  describe deviations from published schedules for the public transportation system. Similar to passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 , delays  222  enables passengers to more efficiently plan their journeys, improving individual passenger experience and overall efficiency of the public transportation system. 
     The mobile application  108  receives data about ticketing, e.g., the information received by a Presto Card, such as those employed in Toronto, Canada. The Presto Card is a contactless smart card fare payment system for public transit systems used in portions of Ontario, Canada. The information received includes a reduction of balance associated with payment of a fare for a ticket to use public transportation, such as a commuter train. (ticketing info could also be available through a direct interface with Presto System) Other information associated with ticketing  224  includes information about loyalty programs, public transportation transfers, shared fares between different public transportation modes, such as trains and buses, etc. The mobile application also receives data from the mobile device server application that includes train schedules  226  for personal route planning, train traffic  228  to explain and anticipate delays, system recommendations  230  regarding travel modes and corresponding schedules, and notice of system closure  232 . This data  226 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232  allows the user to gain a more complete picture of the public transportation context and options available, allowing the user to adjust their travel plans and/or expectations, thereby improving user experience. 
     Data transmitted to the mobile device server application  110  from the mobile application includes boarding station  234 , destination station  236  and journey  238  information. This data  234 ,  236 ,  238  is received by mobile device server application  110  and transmitted to the user data collection point  112  in the train control system  106 . The train control system  106  analyzes the data  234 ,  236 ,  238  to provide enhanced public transportation options as described herein. Other data transmitted to the mobile device server application  110  from the mobile application includes passenger location  242  and passenger with special need  244  information. This data  242 ,  244  enables the train control system to gain a clearer picture of the demands to be placed on the public transportation system in order to make corresponding adjustments to the transportation operation, including the transportation schedule. In some embodiments, location  242  includes longitude and latitude coordinates provided by a global positioning system (GPS) functionality found in some mobile devices. 
     Data transmitted to the mobile device server application  110  from the mobile application also includes real-time bus arrival and departure  246  information and real-time social events information  250 . The social events information  250  includes in some embodiments derived or received information of the mobile device  102  user&#39;s intention to attend a social event. Data  246 ,  250  is used in conjunction with published schedules of bus routes and social events to provide highly accurate, real-time information about occurrences likely to affect a public transportation system, e.g., a public transportation system that includes buses and trains in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 3A  is a flow chart of a method for providing a context aware public transportation control system  300  in some embodiments. For example, published schedules of social events and real-time social events information  250  can include information about a popular sporting event such a baseball, basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, or soccer game that is scheduled to occur in an area serviced by public transportation. Other social events include musical and theatrical performances, etc. (high traffic areas such as universities, financial district). In operation  360  the mobile application  108  provides data including location  242  and social event information  250  designated or derived from a user of the mobile device  102 . By way of example, in some embodiments information indicating that a user is planning on attending a particular major league baseball game is transmitted along with current user location. In operation  362  the data including location  242  and social event information  250  is received by the mobile device server application  110  and transmitted to the user data collection point  112  in the train control system  106 . In some embodiments, social events are inferred and/or predicted based on passenger movement. For example, if a sports stadium, such as a soccer stadium, is located near a public transportation station and a presence of passengers in that station or a flow of passengers moving to/from that station as indicated by changing coordinates of location  242  exceeds certain values, a social event is inferred and/or predicted. In operation  366  the data including location  242  and social event information  250  is received and accessed by the data analysis engine  114  along with corresponding data from other mobile devices  102  to derive one or more transportation parameters associated the public transportation system  100 . In this example the data analysis engine  114  determines three different subway lines will experience three different passenger volume increases. In operation  368  the data analysis engine  114  provides the transportation parameters it derived predicting three different passenger volume increases to the system management unit  116 . For example, a first passenger train line is predicted to experience a 20% increase in expected train passengers (as compared to historical averages), a second passenger train line is predicted to experience a 55% increase in expected train passengers, and a third passenger train line is predicted to experience a 160% increase in expected train passengers. 
     In operation  370  the system management unit  116  modifies attributes of the transportation operation based at least in part on the transportation parameter received from the data analysis engine  114 . The transportation parameters associated with the public transportation system  100  are used by the system management engine  116  to reschedule the public transportation system, including train station dwell time, number of cars in a given train, scheduling additional stops, scheduling additional local and/or express trains, and adjusting traveltimes and headway, etc. In a first instance the system management unit  116  increases the dwell time of a train at certain train stations to allow more passengers to board. In a second instance the system management unit  116  increases dwell time and couples additional cars to a train. In the third instance the system management unit schedules an additional train to run during a predicted peak passenger volume time to accommodate those baseball fans traveling by public transportation to attend (or from) the baseball game. 
       FIG. 3B  is a flow chart of a method for providing a context aware public transportation control system  300  in some embodiments. By way of example, in operation  372 , the system management engine  116  transmits data to the system data access point  118  corresponding to the adjustments made in the previous step, including passenger traffic load  220 , delays  222 , ticketing,  224 , train schedules  226 , train traffic  228 , system recommendations  230  and system closure  232 . The system management unit  116  is not limited to these forms of data and other forms of data are envisioned. In operation  374  data from the system data access point  118  is transmitted to the mobile device server application  110  in the mobile device server  104 . 
     In operation  376 , data from the mobile device server application  110  on the mobile device server  104  is transmitted to the mobile application  108  residing on the mobile device  102 . In this example the user notes that there is system recommendation to consider a newly scheduled train as a possibly more efficient way for the user to be transported to the baseball game and elects to accept the system recommendation, ultimately saving an amount of time significant to the user, thereby improving that user&#39;s experience. In some other embodiments, train operation is adjusted based on passenger travel patterns not tied to any particular social event, for example, one or more passengers driving to a train station might be advanced or delayed for unknown reasons and the context aware public transportation control system  100  compensates in real-time for such actual passenger conditions. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a computer system portion  400  of the context aware public transportation control system  100  in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the computer system  400  is train control system  106  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the computer system  400  is mobile device server  104 . In still other embodiments, the computer system  400  is the mobile device  102 . Computer system  400  includes a hardware processor  482  and a non-transitory, computer readable storage medium  484  encoded with, i.e., storing, the computer program code  486 , i.e., a set of executable instructions. Computer readable storage medium  484  is also encoded with data representing passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 , delays  222 , ticketing (Presto), train schedules  226 , train traffic  228 , system recommendations  230 , system closure  232 , boarding station  234 , destination station  236 , journey  238 , purchased ticket  240 , location  242 , passenger with special need  244 , bus arrival and departure  246  and social events info  250  for use with the context aware public transportation control system  100  in some embodiments. The processor  482  is electrically coupled to the computer readable storage medium  484  via a bus  488 . The processor  482  is also electrically coupled to an I/O interface  490  by bus  408 . A network interface  492  is also electrically connected to the processor  402  via bus  488 . Network interface  492  is connected to a network  494 , so that processor  482  and computer readable storage medium  484  are capable of connecting and communicating to external elements via network  494 . An inductive loop interface  496  is also electrically connected to the processor  482  via bus  488 . Inductive loop interface  496  provides a diverse communication path from the network interface  492 . In some embodiments, inductive loop interface  496  or network interface  492  are replaced with a different communication path such as optical communication, microwave communication, or other suitable communication paths. The processor  482  is configured to execute the computer program code  486  encoded in the computer readable storage medium  484  in order to cause computer system  400  to be usable for performing a portion or all of the operations as described with respect to the context aware public transportation control system  100  and method  300  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). 
     In some embodiments, the processor  482  is a central processing unit (CPU), a multi-processor, a distributed processing system, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a suitable processing unit. 
     In some embodiments, the computer readable storage medium  484  is an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, and/or a semiconductor system (or apparatus or device). For example, the computer readable storage medium  484  includes a semiconductor or solid-state memory, a magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk. In some embodiments using optical disks, the computer readable storage medium  484  includes a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W), a digital video disc (DVD) and/or Blu-Ray Disk. 
     In some embodiments, the storage medium  484  stores the computer program code  486  configured to cause computer system  400  to perform the operations as described with respect to mobile device  102  ( FIG. 1 ), mobile device server  104  ( FIG. 1 ) or train control system  106  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the storage medium  484  also stores instructions and data needed for performing the operations as described with respect to the context aware public transportation control system  100  or method  300 , such as data representing passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 , delays  222 , ticketing (Presto), train schedules  226 , train traffic  228 , system recommendations  230 , system closure  232 , boarding station  234 , destination station  236 , journey  238 , purchased ticket  240 , location  242 , passenger with special need  244 , bus arrival and departure  246  and social events info  250  and/or a set of executable instructions to perform the operation as described with respect to the context aware public transportation control system  100  and method  300 . 
     In some embodiments, the storage medium  484  stores instructions  486  for interfacing with external components. The instructions  486  enable processor  482  to generate operating instructions readable by the external components to effectively implement the operations as described with respect to the context aware public transportation control system  100  and method  300 . 
     Computer system  400  includes I/O interface  490 . I/O interface  490  is coupled to external circuitry. In some embodiments, I/O interface  490  includes a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, trackpad, and/or cursor direction keys for communicating information and commands to processor  482 . 
     Computer system  400  also includes network interface  492  coupled to the processor  482 . Network interface  492  allows computer system  400  to communicate with network  494 , to which one or more other computer systems are connected. Network interface  492  includes wireless network interfaces such as BLUETOOTH, WIFI, WIMAX, GPRS, or WCDMA; or wired network interface such as ETHERNET, USB, or IEEE-1394. In some embodiments, the operations as described with respect to the context aware public transportation control system  100  and method  300  are implemented in two or more computer systems  400 , and data representing passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 , delays  222 , ticketing (Presto), train schedules  226 , train traffic  228 , system recommendations  230 , system closure  232 , boarding station  234 , destination station  236 , journey  238 , purchased ticket  240 , location  242 , passenger with special need  244 , bus arrival and departure  246  and social events info  250  are exchanged between different computer systems  400  via network  494 . 
     Computer system  400  also includes inductive loop interface  496  coupled to the processor  482 . Inductive loop interface  496  allows computer system  400  to communicate with external devices, to which one or more other computer systems are connected. In some embodiments, the operations as described with respect to the context aware public transportation control system  100  and method  300  are implemented in two or more computer systems  400 , and data representing passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 , delays  222 , ticketing (Presto), train schedules  226 , train traffic  228 , system recommendations  230 , system closure  232 , boarding station  234 , destination station  236 , journey  238 , purchased ticket  240 , location  242 , passenger with special need  244 , bus arrival and departure  246  and social events info  250  are exchanged between different computer systems  400  via inductive loop interface  415 . 
     Computer system  400  is configured to receive information related to the instructions  486  through I/O interface  410 . The information is transferred to processor  482  via bus  488  to determine corresponding adjustments to the transportation operation. The instructions are then stored in computer readable medium  484  as instructions  486 . Computer system  400  is configured to receive data representing passenger traffic load (feedback)  220 , delays  222 , ticketing (Presto), train schedules  226 , train traffic  228 , system recommendations  230 , system closure  232 , boarding station  234 , destination station  236 , journey  238 , purchased ticket  240 , location  242 , passenger with special need  244 , bus arrival and departure  246  and social events info  250  through I/O interface  490 . 
     Some embodiments include a context aware public transportation control system, the context aware public transportation control system configured to modify a transportation operation and configured to be communicatively coupled with a mobile device having a mobile device application. The context aware public transportation control system comprises a mobile device server and a train control system. The mobile device server has a mobile device server application. The mobile device server is configured to be communicatively coupled with the mobile device for exchanging data. The train control system is also configured to be communicatively coupled with the mobile device server for exchanging the data. The train control system has a data analysis engine and a system management engine. The data analysis engine is configured to derive a transportation parameter from the data through pattern recognition or other methods. The system management engine is configured to change the transportation operation based at least in part on the transportation parameter. 
     Some embodiments include a method for providing a context aware public transportation control system. The method includes receiving data from a mobile application with a mobile device server, transmitting the data from the mobile device server to a train control system, analyzing the data with the train control system to determine a transportation parameter and changing a train schedule based at least in part on the transportation parameter. 
     Some embodiments include a method controlling a guideway, the guideway associated with a passenger or potential passenger, the passenger or potential passenger having a mobile telecommunication device, the mobile telecommunication device having a mobile application. The method includes receiving data from the mobile application, receiving data from a public source about a upcoming social event, then based at least in part on data from the mobile application and data from the public source, predicting future guideway ridership associated with the upcoming social event, comparing future guideway ridership associated with the upcoming social event with a scheduled guideway vehicle configuration or capacity, and changing the scheduled guideway vehicle configuration to a different configuration correlating with the future guideway ridership. For example, the scheduled guideway vehicle configuration can be changed to include an additional car(s). 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the operations of method  300  are merely examples and additional operations are includable, describe operations are removable and an order of operations are adjustable without deviating from the scope of method  300 . 
     It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed embodiments fulfill one or more of the advantages set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other embodiments as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.