The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 17, 2000
Ian McDonald, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Yada Schneider, Camp Verde, AZ (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method for remotely monitoring and managing the operation of fare charging passenger carrying vehicles forming elements of a transportation system. The method is carried out as each vehicle travels a route to pick up and deliver passengers having previously established passenger accounts. The method comprises the steps of maintaining a wireless two-way data link between each vehicle and a system control center having stored passenger account data and maintaining a two-way data link between the system control center and a system management center to allow the system management center to exchange data with the system control center and with each vehicle. A fare charge schedule defining fare charges based on designated criteria is transferred from the system management center to the system control center. The identity of each passenger boarding each vehicle is transmitted to the system control center where the passenger identity is matched with the related passenger account within the system control center. An appropriate fare charge is assessed against the passenger account. A passenger account status report is then transmitted to the vehicle indicating that the fare charge has been accepted or declined. Vehicle passenger boarding is controlled in response to receipt of the passenger status report.