Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a vehicle tracking system and particularly to a smart student bus tracking system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Public transportation systems around the world depend on efficient scheduling, coordination, and monitoring to ensure reliability. However, several issues affect the dependability of bus services, especially in densely populated urban areas. Delays, route deviations, and uncertainty in arrival times cause inconvenience for commuters and increase operational challenges for transport authorities. The transport authorities often lack real-time visibility into vehicle locations, which results in suboptimal resource management and limited ability to respond to unexpected delays or disruptions.
[003] Conventional approaches to fleet management typically involve static schedules and manual updates that fail to reflect dynamic traffic conditions or real-time changes in vehicle behavior. These systems often rely on periodic reports or centralized monitoring stations that provide limited insight. As a result, passengers experience confusion, while transport providers struggle to maintain punctuality and efficiency.
[004] Efforts to improve public transport systems have included the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) modules, Radiofrequency Identifier (RFID) tags, and centralized dispatch centers. While these advancements offer incremental improvements, they fall short in scalability, user engagement, and real-time adaptability. In many regions, infrastructure constraints and budget limitations restrict the deployment of robust tracking and alert mechanisms.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced smart student bus tracking system that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a smart student bus tracking system. The system comprising an Identification Card (ID) card reader arranged in a student bus, and adapted to capture a student data from an identification card of a student. The system further comprising a location tracking unit adapted receive a real-time geographical location of the student bus. The system further comprising a processing unit, established in a cloud server, adapted to be in communication with the Identification Card (ID) card reader, and the location tracking unit. The processing unit is configured to receive the captured student data from the Identification Card (ID) card reader; trigger the location tracking unit to track the real-time geographical location of the student bus; interpolate a student location data based on the received student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus; identify an address of an external device corresponding to the student from a database; transmit the interpolated student location data, using a communication unit, to the external device.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for tracking a student bus. The method comprising steps of receiving a captured student data from an Identification Card (ID) card reader; triggering a location tracking unit to track a real-time geographical location of the student bus; interpolating a student location data based on the received student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus; identifying an address of an external device corresponding to the student from a database; transmitting the interpolated student location data, using a communication unit, to the external device.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart student bus tracking system.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a student bus tracking system that ensures that only verified students are tracked by using barcode-enabled ID cards, eliminating any uncertainty about whether a student boarded the bus.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a student bus tracking system that enables instant updates via text messages or voice calls whenever their child boards the bus, arrives at college, or departs, providing them with peace of mind.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a student bus tracking system that displays the real-time location of the bus through a mobile app or web portal, improving planning and reducing unnecessary waiting times.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a student bus tracking system that removes a need for drivers to call students, thereby reducing distractions for drivers and enhances road safety.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a student bus tracking system that integrates smoothly with institutional databases and portals, automating record-keeping and simplifying transport administration.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a smart student bus tracking system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processing unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for tracking a student bus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a smart student bus tracking system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted to check for an onboarding, a presence, and a deboarding of a passenger (here a student) on a student bus 102 by scanning and/or reading of identifiers of the student. Further, the system 100 may extract details of the student from a remote storage medium. Furthermore, the system 100 may transmit a real-time status of the student bus 102 along with an onboarding and/or deboarding status to a Point of Contact extracted in the details of the student. Additionally. The real-time status of the bus and the onboarding and/or deboarding status may further be transmitted to a corresponding institute of the student.
[0025] The system 100 may be installed in a public vehicle such as, but not limited to, a cab, a shuttle, a train, a subway, a metro train, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be installed in the student bus 102 and/or a school bus. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any public vehicle, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies, for installation of the system 100.
[0026] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may incorporate non-limiting hardware components to enhance the processing speed and efficiency such as the system 100 may comprise an Identification Card (ID) card reader 104, a location tracking unit 106, a processing unit 108, a cloud server 110, a database 112, an external device 114a-114b, a communication unit 116, and an internal device 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware components of the system 100 may be integrated with computer-executable instructions for overcoming the challenges and the limitations of the existing systems.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be arranged in the student bus 102. The Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be arranged at a location such as, but not limited to, at an entry door of the student bus 102, at an exit door of the student bus 102, at a driver seat, at a conductor seat, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies, for installation of the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 in the student bus 102.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be adapted to capture a student data from an identification card of the student. The student may swipe, tap, or scan the identification card on the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104. The student data captured by the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be, but not limited to, a name of the student, a date and time of onboarding and deboarding of the student, a destination of the student, a scheduled time of arrival and departure of the student bus 102, a point of contact of the student, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the student data, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be adapted to enable full-time tracking of Student XY within the bus. For this purpose, multiple node readers of the ID card reader 104 may be strategically placed inside the student bus 102, such as near an entrance, middle, and rear sections. These node readers may periodically or continuously detect the proximity of the student’s ID card, to verify the student’s continued presence on the bus throughout the journey.
[0030] The multiple node readers may be wirelessly or physically connected to the central ID card reader 104, forming a distributed sensing network within the student bus 102. Each node reader may be configured to communicate real-time proximity data to the central reader 104, which collects and processes the information to determine the student's location and presence status at various segments of the bus. This networked configuration enables synchronized tracking and improves the accuracy of monitoring student XY’s continuous presence during transit.
[0031] The Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be, but not limited to, a Radiofrequency Identifier (RFID) reader, a vision-based reader, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) based reader, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may be a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) enabled card reader. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) enabled card reader, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the location tracking unit 106 may be arranged in the student bus 102. The location tracking unit 106 may be adapted to receive a real-time geographical location of the student bus 102. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the real-time geographical location may be represented in x° North, y° East coordinated format. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the real-time geographical location may be in x° North y minute and z second, a° East b minute, and c second coordinated format. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the real-time geographical location may be a landmark and/or area name.
[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, the location tracking unit 106 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), a Real-time locating systems (RTLS), and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location tracking unit 106 may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the location tracking unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 108 may be connected to the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104, and the location tracking unit 106. The processing unit 108 may be established and installed on the cloud server 110. The processing unit 108 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. The processing unit 108 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. The processing unit 108 may be a Raspberry Pi. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 108 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 110 may be remotely located. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 110 may be a public cloud server. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 110 may be a private cloud server. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 110 may be a dedicated cloud server. According to embodiments of the present invention, the cloud server 110 may be, but not limited to, a Microsoft Azure cloud server, an Amazon AWS cloud server, a Google Compute Engine (GCE) cloud server, an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) cloud server, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the cloud server 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the database 112 may be adapted to store an address of the external device 114a-114b corresponding to the student and/or the student data. The database 112 may further be adapted to store the student data corresponding to the identification card of the student. The database 112 may be for example, but not limited to, a distributed database, a personal database, an end-user database, a commercial database, a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a non-Structured Query Language (SQL) database, an operational database, a relational database, an object-oriented database, a graph database, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the database 112 may be a firebase-adopted cloud database. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the database 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the database 112 may be stored in the cloud server 110, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the external device 114a-114b may be an electronic device. The external device 114a-114b may be used by a parent and/or a guardian of the student to receive a student location data. The student location data may further be viewed on an installed application (not shown) and/or a web browser (not shown) installed onto the external device 114a-114b. The student location data may be a combination of the student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102 encapsulated and encoded by the processing unit 108. Along with the student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102, the student location data may include auxiliary information such as, but not limited to, a vehicle number, a name of a driver, a contact number of the driver, a photograph of the driver, a name of a conductor, a contact number of the conductor, a photograph of the conductor, an arrival time of the bus to stops, a departure time, current location of the bus, presence of the student in the bus, travel time of the student and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any auxiliary information, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies, that may be posted in the student location data.
[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, the external device 114a-114b may be used by an administration body of the corresponding institute of the student and/or a parent of the student. The external device 114a-114b may feature a dashboard (not shown) that may enable the administration body and/or the parent to instate and update internal information into the system 100. The internal information may be, but not limited to, a bus information, routes, student databases, driver information, conductor information, alerts, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any internal information, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies, that may be instated and updated using the external device 114a-114b.
[0039] The external device 114a-114b may be, but not limited to, a smart phone, a laptop, a desktop, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the external device 114a-114b, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be adapted to establish a communicative link between the processing unit 108 and the cloud server 110. The communicative link between the processing unit 108 and the cloud server 110 may enable an internal data throughput and management relating to the system 100. Further, the communication unit 116 may be adapted to establish a communicative link between the processing unit 108 and the external device 114a-114b. The communicative link between the processing unit 108 and the external device 114a-114b may enable transmission of the student location data.
[0041] . The communication unit 116 may be adapted to operate on Internet of Things (IoT) protocol. The communication unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Bluetooth network, a Long Range (LoRa) network, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be an Espressif8266 (ESP8266) modem. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the internal device 118 may be an electronic device that may be used by the student. The internal device 118 may enable the student to receive the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102. The real-time geographical location of the student bus 102 may be transmitted prior to the arrival of the student bus 102 at a pick-up location. The transmission of the real-time geographical location onto the internal device 118 may enable the student to arrive at the pick-up location at an appropriate time prior to the arrival of the student bus 102. The internal device 118 may receive the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102 from the location tracking unit 106 via the communication unit 116.
[0043] The internal device 118 may be, but not limited to, a smart phone, a laptop, a desktop, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the internal device 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processing unit 108, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 108 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a data interpolation module 202, a data identification module 204, and a data transmission module 206.
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the captured student data from the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104. Further, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to trigger the location tracking unit 106 to track the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102. The data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the captured student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102 may be transmitted to the data interpolation module 202.
[0046] The data interpolation module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the captured student data and the real-time geographical location from the data receiving module 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data interpolation module 202 may be configured to interpolate the student location data based on the received student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102. Upon interpolation, the data interpolation module 202 may encode and encapsulate the student location data. Further, the data interpolation module 202 may be configured to transmit an activation signal to the data identification module 204.
[0047] The data identification module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the activation signal from the data interpolation module 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data identification module 204 may be configured to identify an address of the external device 114a-114b corresponding to the student from the database 112. The address of the external device 114a-114b may be, but not limited to, a telephonic number, an instant messenger handle, an electronic mail address, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any address of the external device 114a-114b, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0048] In an exemplary scenario, a student ‘A’ may scan the identification card using the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104. The Identification Card (ID) card reader 104 may extrapolate an admission number of the student. Further, the data identification module 204 may utilize the extrapolated admission number to find address(es) of the external device 114a-114b, in the database 112, corresponding to the extrapolated admission number. Hence, identifying the address(es) of the external device 114a-114b corresponding to the student. Further, the student ‘A’ may have provided a telephonic contact number of his father at a time of enrollment, then the data identification module 204 may identify the telephonic contact number as the address of the external device 114a-114b. Similarly, a student ‘B’ may have provided an email address of their sibling at the time of enrollment, then the data identification module 204 may identify the email address as the address of the external device 114a-114b.
[0049] Upon identification of the address of the external device 114a-114b, the data identification module 204 may be configured to transmit a transmission signal to the data transmission module 206. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission module 206 may be configured to transmit the interpolated student location data to the external device 114a-114b. Further, the data transmission module 206 may be configured to transmit the real-time geographical location to the internal device 118, prior to the arrival of the student bus 102 at the pick-up location.
[0050] The interpolated student location received on the external device 114a-114b and/or the real-time geographical location on the internal device 118. may be notated in a pre-defined form, in an embodiment of the present invention. The pre-defined form of the notification received on the external device 114a-114b and/or the internal device 118 may be, but not limited to a pop-up notification, a flash notification, a ringer notification, a silent notification, a push notification, a hidden notification, an electronic mail notification, a Short Message Service (SMS) notification, an always on-screen notification, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any pre-defined form of the notification that may be received on the external device 114a-114b, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the notification received on the external device 114a-114b and/or the internal device 118 may be customized as per requirements of the user.
[0051] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for tracking the student bus 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the captured student data from the Identification Card (ID) card reader 104.
[0053] At step 304, the system 100 may trigger the location tracking unit 106 to track the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102.
[0054] At step 306, the system 100 may interpolate the student location data based on the received student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus 102.
[0055] At step 308, the system 100 may identify the address of the external device 114a-114b corresponding to the student from the database 112.
[0056] At step 310, the system 100 may transmit the interpolated student location data, using the communication unit 116, to the external device 114a-114b.
[0057] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0058] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A smart student bus tracking system (100), the system (100) comprising:
an Identification Card (ID) card reader (104) arranged in a student bus (102), and adapted to capture a student data from an identification card of a student;
a location tracking unit (106) adapted to receive a real-time geographical location of the student bus (102); and
a processing unit (108), established in a cloud server (110), adapted to be in communication with the Identification Card (ID) card reader (104), and the location tracking unit (106), characterized in that the processing unit (108) is configured to:
receive the captured student data from the Identification Card (ID) card reader (104);
trigger the location tracking unit (106) to track the real-time geographical location of the student bus (102);
interpolate a student location data based on the received student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus (102);
identify an address of an external device (114a-114b) corresponding to the student from a database (112); and
transmit the interpolated student location data, using a communication unit (116), to the external device (114a-114b).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (108) is configured to transmit the real-time geographical location to an internal device (118), prior to the arrival of the student bus (102) at a pick-up location.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the student data are selected from a name of the student, a date and time of onboarding and deboarding of the student, a destination of the student, a scheduled time of arrival and departure of the student bus (102), a point of contact of the student, or a combination thereof.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Identification Card (ID) card reader (104) is a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) enabled card reader.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location tracking unit (106) is a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (108) is a Raspberry Pi.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit (116) is an Espressif8266 (ESP8266) modem.
8. A method (300) for tracking a student bus (102), the method (300) characterized by steps of:
receiving a captured student data from an Identification Card (ID) card reader (104);
triggering a location tracking unit (106) to track a real-time geographical location of the student bus (102);
interpolating a student location data based on the received student data and the real-time geographical location of the student bus (102);
identifying an address of an external device (114a-114b) corresponding to the student from a database (112); and
transmitting the interpolated student location data, using a communication unit (116), to the external device (114a-114b).
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the student details are selected from a name of the student, a date and time of onboarding and deboarding of the student, a destination of the student, a scheduled time of arrival and departure of the student bus (102), a point of contact of the student, or a combination thereof.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the Identification Card (ID) card reader (104) is a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) enabled card reader.
Date: May 12, 2025
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant