Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Navigation – Determination of travel data based on the start point and...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-05
2001-08-07
Issing, Gregory C. (Department: 3662)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Navigation
Determination of travel data based on the start point and...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272429
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer assisted system and method for accurately disseminating regional geographic database information.
2. Description of Related Art
Local jurisdictions experience significant residential and commercial growth over time. As developments are completed, new residents and businesses relocate into the city. New streets are constructed that do not yet appear on any city map. Local jurisdictions suffer from high congestion, prompting many people to use publicly available transportation. Oftentimes, persons who are more accustomed to personal vehicle usage find it also necessary to utilize the publicly available transportation. Likewise, travelers tend to use public transportation because of their unfamiliarity of the local roadways and ordinances.
In any event, the local jurisdiction must have accurate, precise, and up-to-date information to appropriate operational staff such as road supervisors, dispatchers, and operators. Many times the lack of information regarding new businesses or locations can impede passenger boardings or inconvenience the traveling public when it results in misinformation. The customer may not even realize that the street he or she is looking for is not on any map and so it is not understood why the transit operator or supervisor has not heard of it.
The prior art discloses many attempts to provide adequate database dissemination, however, to no avail. The prior art is represented by the following patents of interest.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,857,687, issued on Oct. 28, 1958 to Francis H. Erdman, describes an aid for classifying and selecting listed information from printed media, such as directories, maps, etc. Erdman does not suggest a detailed information database management system according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,332, issued on Aug. 27, 1996 to Nancy L. Judson, describes a device for assisting travelers in determining the best or more appropriate route to take; particularly, the Judson device consists of a transparent map overlay allowing the traveler to mark and trace a route without permanently altering a map. Judson does not suggest a detailed information database management system according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,520, issued on Sep. 24, 1996 to Farhad Barzegar et al., describes a global pointing system (GPS) for use in vehicles for tracking and determining geographical position relative to a satellite network. Barzegar et al. do not suggest a detailed information database management system according to the claimed invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,707, issued Sep. 24, 1996; to David M. DeLorme et al., describes a computer aided routing system for preparing and mapping routes based on user specific input information. Delorme et al. do not suggest a detailed information database management system according to the claimed invention.
Nevertheless, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a detailed information database management system for routing patrons accurately within the limits of a jurisdiction from a point of origin to a point of destination. The system utilizes a comprehensive database having all public transportation routes crosslinked with all points of interest or waypoints, business addresses, entertainment locations, etc. within the jurisdiction. The system provides any transportation official, such as dispatcher, area supervisor, driver, etc., immediate access to the database via a computer. All forms of computers are engaged in accessing the database information. Examples of such are desktop computers and network server computers, as well as an array of portable computers, such as, but not limited to, laptops, palm tops, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The information contained in the database is compiled in a user friendly format, and is accessible via several software applications.
Typically, a patron inquires to a bus operator as to which route must be taken for the instant point of origin to a destination point. The bus operator accesses the database via a PDA and surrenders the information to the patron. Alternatively, the bus operator may communicate with a base station, dispatcher or a roving area supervisor and gain the information via a radio link.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a detailed information database management system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a convenient database management system for obtaining and disseminating routing information to a patron.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for obtaining and disseminating routing information to a patron.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an affordable and economical system and method for equipping a mass transit system to serve the public more efficiently.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a detailed information database management system for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
The above described and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2857687 (1958-10-01), Erdman
patent: 5549332 (1996-08-01), Judson
patent: 5559520 (1996-09-01), Barzegar et al.
patent: 5559707 (1996-09-01), DeLorme et al.
patent: 6047280 (2000-04-01), Ashby et al.
Arikawa, Masatoshi, “Personal Dynamic Maps Based on Distributed Geographic Information Servers”, IEEE Vehicle Navigation and Information Systems Conference Proceedings, 1994, pp. 591-596.*
Schulz, Wolfgang, Extension of a Personal In-Car Information Centre by Navigation and Cellular Communication, 5th IEEE International Conf. on Universal Personal Communications, 1996, pp. 936-940.*
Clowes, D. J. “Bus Stop Information—Experience in the Deregulated Environment”, Public Transport Electronic System, Conf. Publi. No. 425. May 1996, pp. 64-68.*
Gance, D. “A New Generation of Passenger Information Systems: A Single Core Database and Easy Tools for Consulting”, Public Transport Electronic Systems, Conf. Publ. No. 425, pp. 87-89.*
Sweeney, Jr. Lawrence et al. “Travinfo: A Progress Report”, Vehicle Navigation & Information Systems Conference Proceedings. 1994, pp. 315-320.*
Sommerville, Fraser, et al. “Reliable Information in Everyone's Pocket—A Pilot Test”, 1994 IEEE 44th Vehicular Technology Conf. Jun. 1994, pp. 425-428.*
Hellaker, Jan et al. “Real-time Traveller Information—In Everyone's Pocket?!—A Pilot Test using Hand-Portable GSM Terminals”, IEEE-IEE Vehicle Navigation & INformation Systems Conf. VNIS '93, 1993, pp. 49-52.
Issing Gregory C.
Litman Richard C.
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