Communications: electrical – External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-04
2002-06-18
La, Anh (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
C340S905000, C455S517000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06407673
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to broadcast systems, and more particularly to a transit vehicle multimedia broadcast system that wirelessly transmits multimedia data to transit vehicles for distribution to passengers traveling on the vehicle within a confined area that lacks or does not receive traditional wireless broadcast reception.
PROBLEM
Broadcast systems for passengers traveling in vehicles include closed circuit systems and wireless broadcast in the public domain. Closed circuit systems are limited to broadcast apparatus that read and distribute prerecorded content stored on cassettes, discs or other storage medium to audio/visual devices connected to the broadcast apparatus.
Wireless broadcast includes AM/FM audio and television signals received by individual radios or televisions and cellular broadcast for cellular telephones or other devices capable of receiving cellular frequencies. Wireless broadcast is aerial and is blocked by some solid masses or objects and the signals weaken with distance. Areas that are unable to receive the wireless broadcast are said to be out of the broadcast range. Wireless broadcast is not suitable for transit vehicles traveling in a closed environment, such as underground subways and commuter trains, vehicles traveling in remote areas, such as airplanes, trains and busses, or vehicles traveling at speeds that prevent hand-off of cellular signals or reception of continuous AM/FM or video broadcast.
First Class of Transit Vehicle Broadcast Systems is Limited to Position Data
Broadcast systems for transit vehicles are disclosed for transmitting data relating to the location of the vehicle in Kane et al. and Lewiner, et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,626 and 5,493,295 respectively). Kane et al., discloses a system for identifying the location of transit vehicles, primarily buses, and transmitting that data to other vehicles on the same route allowing each vehicle to track the distance between other vehicles on the route. Lewiner, et al., discloses a system that identifies the instantaneous position of a bus traveling over a network, calculates the distance between the bus and the bus stop, and transmits the data to the bus stop via an electromagnetic path. The receiver at the bus stop displays the waiting time for the vehicle based on the data received.
The first class of transit vehicle broadcast systems is limited to providing data relating to the position of the transit vehicles. Position data is collected as the vehicle passes predetermined locations along the route and is wirelessly transmitted to the station. The data received at the station is either displayed to individuals waiting for vehicle arrivals or used to map road details including traffic or vehicle locations with respect to other vehicles traveling the same route. The disclosed systems are limited to collection and transmission of position data and do not include means for distributing the position data to passengers traveling on the transit vehicle.
Second Class of Transit Broadcast Systems is Limited Content and Directed to Stations
Ono, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,027) discloses a system that transmits image data to be displayed at predetermined locations containing a stationary transceiver, storage system and a means for displaying the received data. In Ono, a plurality of transit vehicles having mobile transceivers store image data then sequentially transmit blocks of the stored data to stationary transceivers while the vehicle is temporarily paused at that station. The received data and a pointer used to identify which blocks of data have been received are stored at the stationary transceiver. When the next vehicle arrives at the station, the stationary transceiver transmits a pointer signal so that the vehicle can transmit blocks that have not yet been received. Once the complete image has been transmitted to the stationary transceiver, the image is displayed on a video graphic display means at the station. Thus, the vehicles containing mobile transceivers function as a transmission line and can provide continually updated data for news or advertisement displays.
The transit vehicles, trains in this example, function as a transmission line, each train wirelessly transmitting a next sequential block of the video image to the stationary transceiver at the station. While the broadcast system provides a means for wirelessly transmitting updated data to a stationary transceiver, it does not provide a means for displaying the stored image data or any other data to passengers traveling on the vehicle.
Third Class of Broadcast System is Limited Content Directed to Individual Passengers
The audio/visual system disclosed by Scribner, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,466) includes a video graphic display, headset connection, and selector for individual passengers for use in vehicles where each passenger has an individual seat. The audio/visual unit is located in the seat back of the seat in front of the passenger and allows each passenger to select from a plurality of pre-recorded sources stored in a distribution box. Similarly, Jerome (U.S. Pat No. 6,177,887) discloses an aircraft video system that receives information from passengers, sends information to passengers, or can be used by passengers for entertainment such as video games. The system disclosed by Jerome includes video graphic display units on the reverse side of the passenger food/convenience trays that store in the seatback and can be used by each passenger to make food and beverage selections and allows the flight crew to display flight or advertisement information. Both Scribner and Jones, disclose systems for broadcasting prerecorded content that is stored within the vehicle. Neither provides a means for updating the content.
Another known system for providing information to passengers aboard an aircraft is the audio system provided on most commercial aircraft that allow the passenger to listen to a selection of music or other audio via a headset adapter located at each passenger location. The same connection provides audio, on a different channel, when prerecorded content such as movies or advertisements is played. The audio portion of the movie or advertisement is distributed to the audio system on a different channel. The prerecorded content is stored on a removable diskette or cartridge that is not updated during predetermined stops along the vehicle's route. When safety information is distributed to passengers, one or more fixed video display screens display the video and the audio is broadcast over the aircraft's intercom system.
The systems just described are limited to use on transit vehicles where each passenger has an individual seat. The system fails to provide a means for broadcasting to passengers that are standing in a crowded vehicle or seated in seats that lack seatbacks in front of them. Both the audio and the video are distributed via a hard-wired broadcast system and the content is limited to pre-recorded audio and/or video selections stored on the vehicle or on media compatible with the closed circuit system. The selection is not regularly updated at terminals and does not provide updated news, weather or other information.
The third class of transit vehicle audio/video systems are limited to distribution of stored content, they fail to include a means for updating the content during stops along the route. The systems are also hard-wired and do not provide a means for wirelessly receiving updated data such as local weather or traffic reports, local and national news service reports, or advertisements directed to the vehicles destination or next stop. They are also limited to providing information via audio and or video equipment provided within the transit vehicle.
The broadcast systems just described fail to provide a means for broadcasting updated multimedia data to passengers. While the first class of broadcast systems receive and transmit updated information, the content is limited to vehicle position data and is not available to passengers on the vehicle.
The closed circuit sy
La Anh
Patton & Boggs LLP
The Rail Network, Inc.
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