DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to the field of transportation, in particular the present invention relates to a multi-mode transport system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Advent of urban dwellings lead to an unprecedented growth in ownership of privately held transportation vehicles. Concurrently the authorities managing the ever expanding urban dwellings continue to introduce novel public transport to cater for the movement of masses. The problem is compounded further as conventional transportation systems also bear an inherent flaw- consumption of fossil fuels leading to pollution of uncontrollable dimensions choking every possible urban dwelling; and damaging the whole eco-system to the brink of extinction. In addition, nemesis of the automobile era such as, but not limited to, traffic jams, road rage related incidents are on the rise. The main reason is that the conventional transport systems are driven independently irrespective of the distance, at speeds determined solely by the judgment or desire of the driver/passenger/user.

[003] Despite the constant strive to optimize these conventional transportation systems, academia and the transport sector related entities have been searching and infact trying out-of-the-box alternatives for specifically handling the urban transportation juggernaut.

[004] Initiatives based on compact transportation vehicles refered to as pods or unit vehicles designed for carrying one to two personnel or/and light weight goods has gained popularity as the basic building block for addressing the urban dwelling related transportation problems. The pods are designed in aerodynamic shape to overcome drag encountered during tranportation.

[005] Recent research initiatives have incorporated a modular chassis as a carrier vehicle designed to transport pods over long distances using road, rail or drone fair borne routes. Electricity to power the pods, the carrier vehicle and the drones use dedicated power sources that charge the respective batteries of the pod, the carrier vehicle and the drones through docking/charging terminals on the premises/the carriers vehicles. The implementation for rail-tracks based transportation also mandates the charging through the rail tracks on which the pods slide during transportation. The air transportation is implemented by enabling selected pod stations as on-off board stations, exchange stations only where the pods may be picked up or off-loaded by proportionate sized drones whose sizes and capacity may vary depending upon the number of pods under transportation.

[006] Irrespective of apparent advantages, the existing transportation systems lacks provision to select mode of transport to respond to circumstantial changes as per the requirement during travelling or provide an option for responding to topographical features. The mode of tranportation selected at the start of the journey is fixed that the passengers (users) are mandated to abide till the time of concludement of the journey without consideration of the changes/urgent need of the passengers (users) to opt for a different route to navigate. The reason for this rigidity is the remote operation of the carrier vehicle on pre-determined routes and schedule. Also travelling in a public transport i.e. carrier vehicle requires sharing the common space with fellow passengers that limits the privacy and comfort level of individuals. Long journey also prerequisites certain basic amenties, an absence of such amenties may discourage potential users from selecting such options in the future. The pods and the carrier vehicle arrangement in the present state of the art also fails to provide last mile connectivity for potential users- an adverse attribute in extreme weather or for sick/senior age citizens.

[007] Due to the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need for an effective and time saving transportation system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[008] An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode transport system comprising of carrier vehicles configured as land, rail, and/or air/drone platforms with a plurality of unit vehicles/pods parked on said platforms, allowing users to travel from one place to another.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to provide multi-mode transport system that provides users space and privacy on the land, rail and airborne platforms.

[0010] Another object of the the present invention is to provide a multi-mode transport system in which the users are able to use personal vehicles as unit vehicles/pods to park on carrier vehicle configured as platform to transport to the intended destination, with simultaneous provision of common travel utilities/ elementary medical services/recreational area.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to enable users to travel using the personal transport vehicle as a unit vehicle (pod) for distances less than 5 kms on road as last mile connectivity between the user’s home/work place and the carrier vehicle boarding/de-boarding station and vice-versa.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to enable users to travel using personal vehicles as unit vehicle (pod) for a road journey greater than 5 kms without physically boarding/changing between different modes of transport.

[0013] Another object of on air/drone platform with on-the-fly adaption of the route on basis of dynamic determination of the vehicular density and topography related analysis of proximity of the original chosen route in real time. .

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode transport system, wherein plurality of personal vehicles as unit vehicles/pods are transported together as one system on land, air and rail platforms.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode transport system, wherein road and air platforms are either self-driven or operated by human.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multimode transport system based on renewable/alternative clean sources of energy..

[0017] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrations and examples to disclose the aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A multi-mode transport system includes a plurality of carrier vehicles, a plurality of unit vehicles/pods and a plurality of short-range and long-range wireless communication technologies. Each of the plurality of carrier vehicles includes a control module to control a plurality of suspenders, a plurality of image/video acquistion and processing modules, a topography sensing and modelling module, public utilities and recreational modules, a dynamic slot management module, a transceiver configured to detect and switch between the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies and a renewable energy capturing and distribution module. Each of the plurality of unit vehicles/pods includes a display, a plurality of suspender’s hooking module, energy storage module, a transceiver configured to detect and switch between the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies.
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of the carrier vehicles may be configured as either road or air borne and even rail-track mode of transport and the users may avail these services at respective premises referred to as stations.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of carrier vahicles is configured to use associated suspenders to pick/scoop/acquire and park unit vehicle(s)/pods opting to avail the corresponding mode of transport available at the respective station.
[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of the unit vehicles/pods are configured to enable the associated user to travel upto a range/distance of 100 meters to 5 kilometers from the user’s home/workplace using associated personal/unit vehicle pod.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of the unit vehicles/pods is parked/onboard on the carrier vehicle opted by the user based on the user’s preference of road/rail or air borne mode of transportation in real time to enable the associated user to travel more than range/distance of 3 Km to 5 Km from the user’s home/workplace.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention,each of the plurality of carrier vehicles is configured to provide privacy and personalization to user(s) of each corresponding unit vehicle(s)/pod(s) parked on respective carrier vehicle(s)..

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention,each of the plurality of carrier vehicles is configured to provide basic amenties/utilities/recreational activities and emergency medical help to user(s) of each corresponding unit vehicle(s)/pod(s) parked on respective carrier vehicle(s)

[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, each carrier vehicle of the plurality of the carrier vehicles configured for air-borne mode of transportation employs Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for image acquistion and processing modules to determine vehicular density of proximal surroundings.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, each carrier vehicle of the plurality of the carrier vehicles configured for air-borne mode of transportation employs topography sensing and modelling module configured to determine topography of proximity surroundings during air-borne mode of transportation in real time.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, controller module of each carrier vehicle of the plurality of the carrier vehicles configured for air-borne mode of transportation, decides the mode of transportaon in real time based on the data generated by the image acquistion and the topography modelling modules.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, controller module of each carrier vehicle of the plurality of the carrier vehicles configured for road/rail or air-borne mode of transportation prompts the users of the plurality of unit vehicles to decide the mode of transportation in real time for the remaining portion of the transportation process during based on the data generated by the image acquistion and the topography modelling modules or circumstantial/emergency situations.
[0029] In yet another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of carrier vehicles configured for slot management/ vacant slot booking by dynamically determining and advertising vacant seats/slots on board the respective carrier vehicle for selected route and scheduled time using the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies to each carrier vehicle and to each unit vehicle/pod of the plurality of unit vehicles/pods.
[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of unit vehicles/pods are configured to communicate among each other and with each of the plurality of carrier vehicles, each of the plurality of carrier vehicles also communicating with each other using respective transceivers selecting either short range or long range wireless technology based on the proximity/distance separation between each of the plurality of carrier vehicles and corresponding unit vehicles/pods and also the percentage of stored energy in carrier vehicles and corresponding unit vehicles/pods remaining in real time.
[0031] The present system significantly reduces travel dependencies and increases travel efficiency (i.e. time taken, energy used, resources spent, convenience achieved etc.) by a factor of more than 2 folds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, components and advantages are made apparent to those skilled in the art, by referring to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the working of the platform with multiple pods travelling as on platform;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the road platform;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of the air platform;

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of the multimode transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 and 6 illustrate a diagrammatic representation of efficient route map using air platforms;

Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of the working of the multimode transport system;
Figure 8 illustrates a schematic view of the air platform station;

Figure 9 illustrates a schematic view of the road platform station;

Figure 10 and 11 illustrate diagrammatic representations of efficient route maps using air and land platforms; and

Figure 12 illustrates a view of the massive air platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. The detailed description is construed as a description of the currently preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not represent the only form in which the present invention may be practiced. This is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished, in any order unless expressly and necessarily limited to a particular order, by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The embodiments are chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0035] Unless specified otherwise, the terms "comprising" and "comprise", and grammatical variants thereof, are intended to represent "open" or "inclusive" language such that they include recited elements but also permit inclusion of additional, unrecited elements.

[0036] As used herein when used in conjunction with the word “comprising,” the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one. As used herein “another” may mean at least a second or more. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms include pluralities and plural terms include the singular.

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the multi-mode transport system. The multi-mode transport system 100 comprises of a plurality of custom built chassis to function as a plurality of carrier vehicles 120 (one of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 is depicted for sake of explanation). The multi-mode transport system 100 comprises of a plurality of unit vehicles/pods 102, a plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies 104.

[0038] Each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 comprises a control module 106, a plurality of suspenders 108, a plurality of image acquistion and processing modules 110, a topography sensing and modelling module 112, a plurality of public utilities and recreational modules (table and chairs, plants, television screens, washrooms, food and drink and medical aid facility), a transceiver 114 configured to detect and switch between the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies 104 and a renewable energy capturing and distribution module 116.
[0039] In yet another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 configured to update seat/slot availabilty status after any on-boarding or off-boarding activity at corresponding carrier vehicle in real time and sharing the updated status with each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 in operation and with each unit vehicles/pods 102 slot management -vacant slot booking by dynamically determining and advertising vacant seats/slots on board the respective carrier vehicle 120 for selected route and scheduled time using the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies 104 to each carrier vehicle 120 and to each unit vehicle/pod of the plurality of unit vehicles/pods 102.
[0040] In another embodiment of the invention, each carrier vehicle of the plurality of the carrier vehicles 120 configured for air-borne mode of transportation employs Digital Signal Processing (DSP) as image acquistion and processing modules 110 and also the topography sensing and modelling module 112 configured to monitor in real time vehicular density and topography of proximity surroundings during air-borne mode of transportation and based on the data generated by the image acquistion and the topography modelling modules 112 ,the controller 106 decides on the mode of transportaon in real time.
[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of unit vehicles/pods 102 are configured to communicate among each other and with each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 and each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 also communicate with each other using the transceiver provisioned at the plurality of unit vehicles/pods 102 and the trancievers at the plurality of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 120 with the selection of short range or long range wireless technology based on the proximity/distance separation and the remaining power of the pods 102 and carrier vehicles 120 in real time. Each of the plurality of carrier vehicles employ vacant/available unit vehicles/pods slot management 118 -vacant slot booking by dynamically determining and advertising vacant seats/slots on board the respective carrier vehicle 120 for selected route and scheduled time using the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies 104 to each carrier vehicle and to each unit vehicle/pod of the plurality of unit vehicles/pods 102.
[0042] In another embodiment of the invention, each carrier vehicle of the plurality of the carrier vehicles 120 configured for air-borne mode of transportation employs Digital Signal Processing (DSP) as image acquistion and processing modules 110 and also the topography sensing and modelling module 112 configured to monitor in real time vehicular density and topography of proximity surroundings during air-borne mode of transportation and based on the data generated by the image acquistion and the topography modelling modules ,the controller 106 decides on the mode of transportaon in real time.
[0043] In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of unit vehicles/pods 102 are configured to communicate among each other and with each of the plurality of carrier vehicles and each of the plurality of carrier vehicles also communicate with each other using the transceiver provisioned at the plurality of unit vehicles/pods and the trancievers at the plurality of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles with the selection of short range or long range wireless technology based on the proximity/distance separation and the remaining power of the pods and carrier vehicles in real time.
[0044] The intelligent chassis in the system employs LIDAR, imaging technologies, controllers, and suspensors to read the real time condition of roads and the real time information for adjusting controllers on suspensors, in order to achieve a faster and smooth journey.

[0045] Each of the pods (among themselves) as well as individual pods and the land, rail and the air platforms send messages to each other over a secure protocol. The communication of individual pods with land, rail and air platforms with respect to proximity and timings of platforms takes place using a combination of DSRC, GPS, GLONASS, mobile and internet technologies etc.

[0046] Personalised on-demand service that is integrated across different transport modes. pods are being developed to serve these needs, supporting the end-to-end movement of people between city and campus environments including railway and bus stations, universities, airports and hospitals as a practical, safe and affordable way to travel, a fully integrated and interactive autonomous pod service that will allow members of the public to hail a pod via an app, choose their end destination, pay for a single vehicle that can be air-borne/drone and used to drive from the chassis station to home/office/personal necessity place of users.
[0047] The present system significantly reduces travel dependencies and increases travel efficiency (i.e. time taken, energy used, resources spent, convenience achieved etc.) by a factor of more than 2 folds.

[0048] The intelligent chassis in the system employs LIDAR, imaging technologies, controllers, and suspensors to read the real time condition of roads and the real time information for adjusting controllers on suspensors, in order to achieve a faster and smooth journey.

[0049] Each of the pods (among themselves) as well as individual pods and the land, rail and the air platforms send messages to each other over a secure protocol. The communication of individual pods with land, rail and air platforms with respect to proximity and timings of platforms takes place using a combination of DSRC, GPS, GLONASS, mobile and internet technologies etc.

[0050] The optimization of travel in the transport system of present invention is achieved via a special combination of single / private transport as well as public yet personalized transport from point A to point B through specialized engineering and machine interactions among private pods, land-run intelligent platforms, rail transport, and air borne flying systems.

[0051] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the road platform 200 for the multimode transport system, comprising a plurality of pods 202, docked pods 204 placed on said platforms, being loaded and unloaded restrictive intermediary road transport exchange station 206.

[0052] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of the air platform 300, comprising a docker 302 and docked pods on air carrier 304, wherein the air transport platform is powered by clean electricity and comprises of at least 10 propellers and 1000 Kw electric motors. The platform is capable of accommodating a maximum of 4 passengers and generates a cruise speed of 50km/hr and maximum air speed of 100 km/hr.

[0053] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of the multimode transport system 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising of pods 406, house 404, land platform 412 and air platform 410 (inland water or forest area 408).

[0054] Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of the working of the multimode transport system 700, wherein a person uses the personal vehicles (pods) to travel a distance less than 5 kms, whereas plurality of personal vehicles (pods) on the system are taken by the user for a road journey greater than 5 kms or air route in case of inland water or forest area. These personal vehicles (pods) get attached to each other on air/land platform in the defined channel, while maintaining the personal space and privacy. These personal vehicles(pods) can be used as personal working/living space. The air/land platform also contains the entertainment and dining area for the travelers to enjoy while travelling.

[0055] The system comprises of sliders having magnetic channels upon which the platform trays down at a specific angle, preferably 45 degrees on to the ground, allowing the pods to be sucked up or onboarded on said platform with the help of the magnetic force.

[0056] The mechanism of docking of pods takes place via a rectangular structure that automatically emerges from the floor of the platform and is inserted at a specific point in the chassis of an onboarded and stable pod. The pods are tightly stationed on a rectangular pad area on the floor of the platform in the onboarded position, wherein the rectangular pad area is movable/rearrangeable and used for wirelessly charging the pods, if necessary. The rectangular structure performs the function of rearranging the onboarded pods efficiently to deplane a specific pod on arriving at the destination. The movement of the rectangular pads happens on a channel on any level of the platform. However, the movement of pods from base level to first level or vice versa is achieved via the centrally located rectangular pad areas.

[0057] The onboarding process is considered complete once the pods are docked on the platforms. Information including the amount of charge remaining on the pods, amount to be paid for the trip / payment balance etc., embedded systems, hardware-software integration technologies are retrieved on the connection with the pods.

[0058] Additionally, the pods are able to access music, movies, other kinds of multimedia content which are displayed on the front screen of pods and for relaying reconfiguring / reconfirming destination via a mobile application or a voice-based input through the front screen of the pods.

[0059] The system further comprises of a payment mechanism involving automatic deduction/squaring out of payments between individual pods and platforms. The individual pods are charged for travelling, charging and money earned by selling vacant seats via the mobile platform.

[0060] There includes an additional feature in the transportation system for employing mobile and internet technologies for various purposes including communicating, ordering, selling, updating, retrieving etc. For example: a person can rent a personal pod, change the color of glass cover of the pod and open and close the personal pods, via the mobile platform.

[0061] The air and land platforms comprise of solar panels fitted on the roof of the platforms to produce electricity. The charging of pods can also take place via electricity on stationary charging booths or by using replaceable batteries.

[0062] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic view of the air platform station 800 comprising of different zones 810, 804 with plurality of pods parked inside each zone.

[0063] Figure 9 illustrates a schematic view of the road platform station 900 and Figure 12 illustrates a view of the massive air platform 1200, comprising of parked pods 1208, channel on which pods are fixed 1210, powered engines 1204 and a recreational area 1202.

EXAMPLES

[0064] Hereafter, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to following examples.
Example 1

[0065] Figure 5 illustrates an efficient route map 500 for users travelling from Vashi 512 to Powai/Nariman Point 506. The total distance from Vashi to Powai 502 is 25 kms that is covered in 1 hour via the eastern expressway. However, if an individual is travelling from Vashi to Powai using the air platform 510, the distance between the aforesaid cities is reduced to 6 kms and is covered in just 13 minutes. Similarly, the total distance from Vashi to Nariman Point is 30 kms that is usually covered in 1 hour via the eastern expressway, however with the present transport system the same distance is covered in 30 minutes.
Example 2

[0066] Figure 6 illustrates an efficient route map 600 for users travelling from Thane 610 to Kandivali/Goregaon (606, 608). The total distance from Thane to Kandivali is 26 kms that is covered in 45 minutes via road. However, if an individual is travelling from Thane to Kandivali using the air platform the distance between the aforesaid cities is reduced to 16 kms and is covered in just 20 minutes. Similarly, the total distance from Thane to Goregaon is 30 kms that is covered in 1 hour via road, however with the air platform the same distance is reduced to 18 kms and is covered in 25 minutes.
Example 3

[0067] Figure 10 illustrates an efficient route map for users 1000 travelling from Mumbai to Pune and vice versa. People from Locality 1 includes students /tourist travelling from Mumbai to Pune and vice versa using air and road platform. People of Locality 2 including working professionals/entrepreneurs travelling from Mumbai to Pune and vice versa using air and road transport system, whereas people of Locality 3 including small business owners travelling from Mumbai to Pune and vice versa using air and road transport system. The present system results in reduction of travel time by many folds when people are opting to travel via the transportation system of the present invention.
Example 4

[0068] Figure 11 illustrates the efficiency of the system, wherein alternative route map for users 1000 travelling from Mumbai to Pune and vice versa. For example- personal vehicles or pods are rented out at Macau ferry terminal 1102, Hongkong or at Dubai airport 1104 or at Goa airport/railways station 1106, wherein the local places can be visited on the personal vehicles/pods. However, for a journey beyond 5 kms the road or air platform is to be employed.

[0069] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A multi-mode transport system comprising:
a. a plurality of carrier vehicle comprising;
i. a control module ;
ii. a clean/renewable energy capture/conversion and distribution module;
iii. a plurality of suspenders;
iv. a plurality of image acquistion and processing modules;
v. a topography sensing and modelling module;
vi. a plurality of public utilities and recreational modules;
vii. a dynamic vacant seat/available slot updation and management module;
b. a plurality of podsunit vehicles/pods, each unit vehicle/pod comprises:
i. a display;
ii. a plurality of suspender coupling module;
iii. energy storage module;
iv. a transceiver configured to detect and switch between the plurality of short range and long range wireless communication technologies

c. a plurality of short-range and long-range wireless communication technologies;
wherein
each of the plurality of the carrier vehicles configured for either land, rail or air borne transportation in real time, each of the plurality of the carrier vehicle, configured to engage the plurality of unit vehicles(s)/pods using the plurality of suspenders, each of the plurality of carrier vehicles configured to park/onboard the plurality of carrier vehicles/pods, the vacant seat updation and management moduleconfigured to determine in real time seats/vacated by unit vehicles/pods nd update the status to each of the plurality of operative carrier vaehicles; the plurality of image acquistion and processing modules and the topography sensing and modelling module configured to monitor in real time vehicular density and topography of proximity surroundings, the controller to decide/prompt users on mode of transportation on basis of vehicular density & topography findings in real time, each of the plurality of unit vehicle(s)/pods configured to communicate among each other and with each of the plurality of the carrier vehiclesand with each the plurality of carrier vehicles configured to communicate using the plurality of short-range and long-range wireless communication technologies.

2. The multi-mode transport system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a topography sensing and modelling module correspons to LIDAR,GPS.
3. The multi-mode transport system as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of short-range and long-range wireless communication technologies corresponds to a combination of DSRC, GPS, GLONASS, mobile and internet technologies.
4. The multi-mode transport system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of short-range and long-range wireless communication technologies is selected based on proximity and schedule of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles w.r.t. to location of each of the plurality of unit vehicles/pods.