CLIAMS:What is claimed is:

1. A method for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle, comprising:

providing a transport management platform in communication with a vehicle communication unit electromechanically connected to the vehicle;

assigning the vehicle to a driver by the transport management platform;

identifying the driver by the transport management platform in communication with the vehicle communication unit and a driver mobile device associated with the driver, on arrival of the driver within proximity of the vehicle;

authenticating the driver for driving the vehicle by the transport management platform;

transmitting driver details to the vehicle communication unit on authentication of the driver by the transport management platform;

identifying the passenger by the transport management platform in communication with the vehicle communication unit and a passenger mobile device associated with the passenger, on arrival of the passenger within proximity of the vehicle;

authenticating the passenger for boarding the vehicle by the transport management platform; and

determining whether the passenger has disembarked safely from the vehicle on reaching a destination of the passenger, by the transport management platform in communication with the vehicle communication unit and the passenger mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying of the driver by the transport management platform comprises:

detecting the driver on the arrival of the driver within proximity of the vehicle by the vehicle communication unit;

transmitting a driver initiation message from the vehicle communication unit to the transport management platform, wherein the driver initiation message informs the transport management platform of the arrival of the driver;

transmitting a verification request by the transport management platform to the driver mobile device on receiving the initiation message by the transport management unit; and

transmitting a verification response by the driver mobile device to the transport management platform, wherein the verification response identifies the driver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying of the passenger by the transport management platform comprises:

detecting the passenger on the arrival of the passenger within proximity of the vehicle by the vehicle communication unit;

transmitting a passenger initiation message from the vehicle communication unit to the transport management platform, wherein the passenger initiation message informs the transport management platform of the arrival of the passenger;

transmitting a verification request by the transport management platform to the passenger mobile device on receiving the passenger initiation message by the transport management unit; and

transmitting a verification response by the passenger mobile device to the transport management platform, wherein the verification response identifies the passenger.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the driver details on a display device located on the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting vehicle information of the vehicle and the driver details to the passenger mobile device by the transport management platform.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of whether the passenger has disembarked safely comprises receiving an exit message by the transport management platform from the vehicle communication unit, wherein the exit message is extracted from scanning a communication element associated with the passenger mobile device by the vehicle communication unit.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of whether the passenger has disembarked safely comprises receiving an exit message by the transport management platform from the vehicle communication unit, wherein the exit message is generated by the vehicle communication unit on depressing a button by the passenger on the vehicle communication unit.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of whether the passenger has disembarked safely comprises receiving an exit message from the passenger mobile device of the passenger by the transport management platform, wherein exit message informs the transport management platform of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating the driver for driving the vehicle further comprises transmitting an unlock message by the transport management system to the vehicle communication unit, upon successful authentication.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating the passenger for boarding the vehicle further comprises transmitting an unlock message by the transport management system to the vehicle communication unit, upon successful authentication.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating an alert notification by the transport management system on occurrence of a predefined condition.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising generating an alert notification by the transport management system on occurrence of a predefined condition.

13. A system for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle, comprising:

a transport management platform comprising:

a vehicle assignment module that assigns the vehicle to a driver;

a driver identification module that identifies the driver in communication with a vehicle communication unit and a driver mobile device associated with the driver, on arrival of the driver within proximity of the vehicle;

an authentication module that authenticates the driver for driving the vehicle and the passenger for boarding the vehicle;

a user information module, wherein the user information module is configured to transmit driver details to the vehicle communication unit on authentication of the driver by the transport management platform;

a passenger identification module that identifies the passenger in communication with a vehicle communication unit and a passenger mobile device associated with the driver, on arrival of the passenger within proximity of the vehicle; and

a safety determination module that determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely from the vehicle on reaching a destination of the passenger; and

the vehicle communication unit electromechanically connected to the vehicle that communicates with the transport management platform, the driver mobile device, and the passenger mobile device.
,TagSPECI:METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING SAFE TRANSPORT OF A PASSENGER

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to safety of a passenger during transit. More particularly the present invention relates to a method and system for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With ever increasing crime and accident rates, passenger safety has become a significant concern for most entities that provide transportation services. This concern is of particular importance to employers, transport agencies, and educational service providers, as they exercise a duty of care towards those who avail the transportation services provided by these authorities. The responsibility of ensuring safe transit falls upon these authorities.

[0003] To address this concern, existing prior art have suggested the use of passenger and vehicle tracking mechanisms. The suggested mechanisms discuss the deployment of numerous sensors inside the vehicle to track various parameters relating to the vehicle (See US 20060017564, Barbara Phillips; US 6919804 B1, Kenneth J. Cook et al.). For example, some mechanisms track the route taken by the vehicle so as to ensure that the vehicle does not deviate from the predetermined route (See US 8417414 B2, Amul Atri et al.). Other mechanisms operate by periodically scanning the vehicle for passengers so as to ensure that the passengers are present inside the vehicle till the vehicle arrives at the predetermined destination.

[0004] However, most of the suggested mechanisms are vehicle-centric in the sense that these mechanisms monitor the status of the vehicle and thereby infer the safety of the passengers from the status of the vehicle. The safety of the individual passenger is typically not factored in. Therefore the capability of the individual passenger to interact with the suggested mechanisms is minimal in most cases.

[0005] Therefore there is a long felt but unresolved need for a secure, safe and passenger-centric transit method and system.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a secure transit method and system.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a transit method and system that is passenger-centric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

[0009] A method and system for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle is provided. A transport management platform in communication with a vehicle communication unit is provided. The vehicle communication unit is electromechanically connected to the vehicle. The transport management platform comprises a vehicle assignment module, a driver identification module, an authentication module, a user information module, a passenger identification module, and a safety determination module.

[0010] The transport management platform assigns the vehicle to a driver. The transport management platform identifies the driver, in communication with the vehicle communication unit and a driver mobile device associated with the driver, upon the driver arriving in proximity of the vehicle.

[0011] The transport management platform in communication with the vehicle communication unit and a driver mobile device identifies the driver by first detecting the driver on the arrival of the driver within proximity of the vehicle. Upon detection, the vehicle communication unit transmits a driver initiation message to the transport management platform, in order to inform the transport management platform of the arrival of the driver. The transport management platform transmits a verification request to the driver mobile device. The driver mobile device responds by transmitting a verification response to the transport management platform. The verification response, sent from the driver mobile device, identifies the driver.

[0012] The transport management platform authenticates the driver for driving the vehicle. In an embodiment, the transport management platform transmits an unlock message to the vehicle communication unit, upon successful authentication. The unlock message informs the vehicle communication unit of the successful authentication of the driver.

[0013] The transport management platform transmits the driver details to the vehicle communication unit on successful authentication of the driver. In an embodiment, the transmitted driver details are displayed on a display device located on the vehicle.

[0014] The transport management platform identifies the passenger, in communication with the vehicle communication unit and a passenger mobile device associated with the passenger, upon the passenger arriving in proximity of the vehicle.

[0015] The transport management platform in communication with the vehicle communication unit and a passenger mobile device identifies the passenger by first detecting the passenger on the arrival of the passenger within proximity of the vehicle. Upon detection, the vehicle communication unit transmits a passenger initiation message to the transport management platform, in order to inform the transport management platform of the arrival of the passenger. The transport management platform transmits a verification request to the passenger mobile device. The passenger mobile device responds by transmitting a verification response to the transport management platform. The verification response, sent from the passenger mobile device, identifies the passenger.

[0016] The transport management platform authenticates the passenger for boarding the vehicle. In an embodiment, the transport management platform transmits an unlock message to the vehicle communication unit, upon successful authentication. The unlock message informs the vehicle communication unit of the successful authentication of the passenger.

[0017] The transport management platform determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely from the vehicle on reaching a destination of the passenger, in communication with the vehicle communication unit and the passenger mobile device.

[0018] The transport management platform, for example, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely on receiving an exit message that informs the transport management platform of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle. The exit message is extracted by the vehicle communication unit from a communication element associated with the passenger mobile device, by scanning the communication element.

[0019] The transport management platform, for example, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely on receiving an exit message that informs the transport management platform of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle. The exit message is generated by the vehicle communication unit on depressing a button by the passenger on the vehicle communication unit.

[0020] The transport management platform, for example, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely on receiving an exit message from the passenger mobile device that informs the transport management platform of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle.

[0021] In an embodiment, the transport management platform transmits vehicle information of the vehicle and the driver details to the passenger mobile device. In an embodiment, the transport management platform generates an alert notification on occurrence of a predefined condition. The predefined condition is, for example, elapse of a predefined time interval, a distress message (SOS) from the passenger mobile device or the driver mobile device, diversion from the predefined route, etc.

[0022] Systems and methods of varying scope are described herein. In addition to the aspects and advantages described in this summary, further aspects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings and with reference to the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a system for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle.

[0024] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a method for managing safe transport of the passenger in the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments, which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0026] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a system 100 for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle. The system 100 comprises a transport management platform 110 and a vehicle communication unit 170 located on the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit 170 communicates with the transport management platform 110 over a communication network.

[0027] The vehicle communication unit 170 is located on the vehicle. The vehicle communication unit170 comprises a transceiver 173 and a wireless interface 176. The wireless interface 176 is a short range communication interface. The wireless interface 176 is, for example, radio frequency identification (RFID) based interface, Near Field Communication (NFC) based interface, etc. In an embodiment, the vehicle communication unit 170 is operationally coupled to a smart security system of the vehicle, thereby enabling the transport management platform 110 to interact with the smart security system via the vehicle communication unit 170.

[0028] In an embodiment, the transport management platform 110 is provided on a single computing device. In another embodiment, the transport management platform 110 is provided on multiple computing devices which are interconnected. The transport management platform 110 comprises a vehicle assignment module 115, a driver identification module 130, an authentication module 120, a user information module 140, a passenger identification module 135, and a safety determination module 125.

[0029] The vehicle assignment module 115 of the transport management platform 110 assigns the vehicle to a driver. In an embodiment, the vehicle assignment module 115 receives a command from a client terminal to assign the vehicle to a driver. This request would contain the relevant information of the driver to whom the vehicle is to be assigned. The request, for example, can be made by the travel and transportation department of the employer.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vehicle assignment module 115 assigns the vehicle to a driver by associating the driver information with the vehicle information in a database.

[0031] The driver identification module 130 of the transport management platform 110 in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and a driver mobile device160 identifies the driver, upon the driver arriving within proximity of the vehicle.

[0032] The term ‘driver mobile device’160 refers to a handheld electronic device that can be used to communicate over a communication network, and is associated with the driver. The driver mobile device 160 is, for example, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless email terminal, a laptop, a tablet computer, etc.

[0033] The driver identification module 130, in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and the driver mobile device 160, identifies the driver by first detecting the driver on the arrival of the driver within proximity of the vehicle via the wireless interface 176 of the vehicle communication unit 170. For example, the driver would scan the driver mobile device 160 against the wireless interface 176, the wireless interface 176 being embedded in the vehicle door. The driver mobile device 160 would have a communications tag on it. The communication tag is, for example, a near field communications tag, a Bluetooth enabled chip, radio frequency identification tag, etc. The wireless interface 176 would detect the communications tag on driver mobile device 160 and scan the communications tag.

[0034] Upon detection, the vehicle communication unit 170 transmits a driver initiation message to the driver identification module 130, in order to inform the driver identification module 130 of the arrival of the driver. Upon receiving the driver initiation message, the driver identification module 130 transmits a verification request to the driver mobile device 160. The driver mobile device 160 responds by transmitting a verification response to the transport management platform 110. The verification response sent by the driver mobile device 160 identifies the driver.

[0035] The verification response can comprise biometric signatures, mobile digital signatures, etc. In an embodiment, the verification response is digitally signed using a mobile digital signature application present on the driver mobile device 160. In an embodiment, the mobile digital signature application on the driver mobile device 160 can generate a unique digital signature. In another embodiment, the mobile digital signature application obtains a digital signature from a secure third party for the purpose of signing the verification response.

[0036] In another embodiment, the mobile digital signature application on the driver mobile device 160 receives the digital signature from a security server upon the employment of the driver. In yet another embodiment, verification response is security passcode unique to the driver mobile device 160. The security passcode is generated by an encryption module present on the driver mobile device 160. The security passcode are used to identify the driver mobile device 160 uniquely associated with it, thereby serving the purpose of a unique identifier. In another embodiment, the verification response contains a location based parameter, which could be used to track the location of the driver mobile device 160. The location based parameter can be the geographical co-ordinates of the driver mobile device 160 obtained using positioning systems like global positioning system, global navigation satellite system, etc. Using the location based parameter, geo-fencing based systems can be used to verify the identity.

[0037] The authentication module 120 authenticates the driver for driving the vehicle. The authentication module 120 verifies the verification responses received from the driver mobile device 160. In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 records the time and date of successful verification along with the verification response in a database, thereby ensuring a precise and accurate timestamp to indicate the exact time when the driver arrived in proximity of the vehicle.

[0038] In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 transmits an unlock message to the vehicle communication unit, upon successful authentication. The unlock message informs the vehicle communication unit of the successful authentication of the driver. In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 upon successful authentication, interacts with the smart security system of the vehicle via the vehicle communication 170 unit to allow the driver operational access to the vehicle.

[0039] The user information module 140 of the transport management platform 110 transmits driver details to the vehicle communication unit 170 upon authentication of the driver. Driver details include relevant information about the driver such as the driver’s name, registration number, agency name, etc. In an embodiment, the transmitted driver details are displayed on a display device (not shown in the figures) located on the vehicle.

[0040] The passenger identification module 135 of the transport management platform 110in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and a passenger mobile device 150 identifies the passenger, upon the passenger arriving within proximity of the vehicle.

[0041] The term ‘passenger mobile device’ 150 refers to a handheld electronic device associated with the passenger that can be used to communicate over a communication network. The passenger mobile device 150 is, for example, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless email terminal, a laptop, a tablet computer, etc.

[0042] The passenger identification module 135, in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and the passenger mobile device 150, identifies by detecting the passenger on the arrival of the passenger within proximity of the vehicle. For example, the passenger would scan the passenger mobile device 150 against the wireless interface 176, the wireless interface 176 being embedded in the vehicle door. The passenger mobile device 150 would have a communications tag on it. The communication tag is, for example, a near field communications tag, a Bluetooth enabled chip, radio frequency identification tag, etc. The wireless interface 176 would detect the communications tag on the passenger mobile device 150 and scan the communications tag.

[0043] Upon detection, the vehicle communication unit 170 transmits a passenger initiation message to the passenger identification module 135, in order to inform the passenger identification module 135 of the arrival of the passenger. Upon receiving the passenger initiation message, the passenger identification module 135 transmits a verification request to the passenger mobile device 150. The passenger mobile device 150 responds by transmitting a verification response to the transport management platform 110. The verification response sent by the passenger mobile device 150 identifies the passenger.

[0044] The verification response can include biometric signatures. In an embodiment, the verification response is digitally signed using a mobile digital signature application present on the passenger mobile device 150. In an embodiment, the mobile digital signature application on the passenger mobile device 150 can generate a unique digital signature. In another embodiment, the mobile digital signature application obtains a digital signature from a secure third party for the purpose of signing the verification response.

[0045] In another embodiment, the mobile digital signature application on the passenger mobile device 150 receives the digital signature from a security server upon the registration of passenger. In yet another embodiment, verification response is security passcode unique to the passenger mobile device 150. The security passcode is generated by an encryption module present on the passenger mobile device 150. The security passcode are used to identify the passenger mobile device 150 uniquely associated with it, thereby serving the purpose of a unique identifier. In another embodiment, the verification response contains a location based parameter, which could be used to track the location of the passenger mobile device 150. The location based parameter can be the geographical co-ordinates of the passenger mobile device 150 obtained using positioning systems like global positioning system, global navigation satellite system, etc. Using the location based parameter, geo-fencing based systems can be used to verify the identity.

[0046] The authentication module 120 authenticates the passenger for boarding the vehicle. In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 verifies the verification response received from the passenger mobile device 150. In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 records the time and date of successful verification along with the verification response in a database, thereby ensuring a precise and accurate timestamp to indicate the exact time when the passenger arrived in proximity of the vehicle.

[0047] In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 transmits an unlock message to the vehicle communication unit, upon successful authentication. The unlock message informs the vehicle communication unit of the successful authentication of the passenger. In an embodiment, the authentication module 120 upon successful authentication, interacts with the smart security system of the vehicle via the vehicle communication 170 unit to allow the passenger to board the vehicle.

[0048] The safety determination module 125 determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely from the vehicle on reaching a destination of the passenger.

[0049] The safety determination module 125, for example, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely on receiving an exit message that informs the safety determination module 125 of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle. The passenger upon wishing to exit the vehicle scans a communication element, located on the passenger mobile device 150, against the wireless interface176 of vehicle communication unit 170. The communication element is, for example, a radio frequency identification tag, a near field communication tag, a Bluetooth enabled chip, a barcode, a quick response code etc. The vehicle communication unit 170 extracts the exit message from the communication element and transmits the exit message to the safety determination module 125. In an embodiment, the communication element, located on the passenger mobile device 150, is encoded with a digital signature of the passenger. The vehicle communication unit 170 transmits the digital signature of the passenger to the transport management platform 110 for verification. Upon successful verification, the vehicle communication 170 interacts with the vehicle’s security system to unlock the doors of the vehicle.

[0050] The safety determination module 125, for example, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely on receiving an exit message that informs the safety determination module 125 of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle. The exit message is generated by the vehicle communication unit 170 on depressing a button by the passenger on the vehicle communication unit 170. In an embodiment, a keypad is provided on the vehicle. The passenger punches in a security code, which is known only to the passenger. The vehicle communication unit 170 transmits the entered security code to the transport management platform 110 for verification. Upon successful verification, the vehicle communication 170 interacts with the vehicle’s security system to unlock the doors of the vehicle.

[0051] The safety determination module 125, for example, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely on receiving, an exit message from the passenger mobile device 150 that informs the safety determination module 125 of the safe disembarkment of the passenger from the vehicle. In an embodiment, the passenger mobile device 150 has a security application which generates the exit message upon the passenger entering a security code, known only to the passenger. This ensures that only the passenger is able to generate and transmit the exit message.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for managing a plurality of seat a method for managing safe transport of a passenger in a vehicle. At step 210, a transport management platform 110 in communication with a vehicle communication unit 170is provided. At step 220, the transport management platform 110 assigns the vehicle to a driver.

[0053] At step 230, the transport management platform in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and a driver mobile device 160 associated with the driver, identifies the driver upon arrival of the driver within proximity of the vehicle. At step 240, the transport management platform 110 authenticates the driver for driving the vehicle. At step 250, the transport management platform 110 transmits driver details to the vehicle communication unit 170 on authentication of the driver.

[0054] At step 260, the transport management platform 110in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and a passenger mobile device 150 associated with the passenger, identifies the passenger on arrival of the passenger within proximity of the vehicle. At step 270, the transport management platform 110authenticates the passenger for boarding the vehicle by the transport management platform 110. Finally at step 280, the transport management platform 110 in communication with the vehicle communication unit 170 and the passenger mobile device 150, determines whether the passenger has disembarked safely from the vehicle on reaching a destination of the passenger.

[0055] In an embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting vehicle information of the vehicle and the driver details to the passenger mobile device 150 by the transport management platform 110. This allows the passenger to know about the driver and the vehicle beforehand. The transmission can happen automatically or upon receiving a query from the passenger mobile device 150.

[0056] In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating an alert notification by the transport management system 110 on occurrence of a predefined condition. The predefined condition is, for example, elapse of a predefined time interval, a distress message (SOS) from the passenger mobile device 150 or the driver mobile device 160, diversion from the predefined route, etc.

[0057] The predefined time interval is in relation to the amount of time that has passed since the passenger has entered the vehicle. When the predetermined time interval lapses, an alert notification is generated and sent to the authorities such as police authorities, safety patrols, etc. The predefined route is the assigned route to be taken by the driver. If the vehicle goes off route an alert notification can be generated.

[0058] This written description uses examples to describe the subject matter herein, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by 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 with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.