WO2018021994A1

WO2018021994A1 - Multi-modal transportation system

Info

Publication number: WO2018021994A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/043828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Francisco GUIZAR AMADOR; Mario Oscar MARTINEZ ORDAZ; Julio Antonio ROMERO BAILON; Enrique GONZALEZ RODRIGUEZ
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Llc
Priority date: 2016-07-25
Filing date: 2016-07-25
Publication date: 2018-02-01

Abstract

A system of a mass transit vehicle for locking a user transport device to the mass transit vehicle includes a lock on a rear of the mass transit vehicle and a computer. The computer is programmed to receive a presence signal representing the presence of a user at the rear of the mass transit vehicle, and to receive a lock signal representing that the lock is locked to a user transport device at the rear of the mass transit vehicle. The computer is programmed to output an indication signal representing that the lock is locked.

Description

MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Public transportation is an economical and environmentally friendly method of travel providing transportation options to get to and from work, school, etc. Public transportation also reduces traffic congestion in urban areas, which reduces travel time and fuel consumption. However, mass transportation is not for everyone, especially those who prefer using user transport devices, such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, etc. There exists an opportunity to expand the usage of public transportation by providing services that attract users of transport devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-modal transportation system including a mass transit vehicle and user transport devices.

[0003] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the multi-modal transportation system including a system for locking the user transport device to the mass transit vehicle

[0004] Figure 3A is a front view of an instrument cluster including a driver display in an unlock state.

[0005] Figure 3B is a front view of the instrument cluster including the driver display in a lock state.

[0006] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example process of the system for locking the user transport device to the mass transit vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a system 12, hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle system 12," includes a lock 14 on a rear 16 of a mass transit vehicle 18. The vehicle system 12 includes a computer 20 programmed to receive a presence signal representing the presence of a user 22 at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18, and to receive a lock signal representing that the lock 14 is locked to a user transport device 24 at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. The computer 20 is programmed to output an indication signal representing that the lock 14 is locked. [0008] With reference to Figure 1, the user 22, e.g., a bicyclist, may communicate with the vehicle system 12 by accessing a user input device 26 located on the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 to communicate the presence signal to the computer 20, as set forth below. After the presence signal is received by the computer 20 from the user input device 26, the computer 20 activates the lock 14 and the user 22 may operate the lock 14 to lock the user transport device 24 to the mass transit vehicle 18. When the lock 14 is locked, the computer 20 may receive the lock signal from a sensor 28 monitoring the lock 14 signifying that the user transport device 24 is locked to the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. The computer 20 may then send the indication signal to a driver display 30 representing that the lock 14 is locked, as shown in Figure 3B. By engaging with the mass transit vehicle 18 in such a manner, the user 22 may take advantage of public transportation to extend the range the user 22 is willing to travel. Furthermore, mass transportation usage is expanded, thus decreasing traffic congestion and fossil fuel consumption.

[0009] As set forth further below, the vehicle system 12 may activate a power outlet 32 at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 to charge the user transport device 24. Specifically, once the user transport device 24 is locked to the mass transit vehicle 18, the computer 20 may output an outlet power signal that allows power to be supplied to the power outlet 32 for use by the user transport device 24, e.g., an electric bicycle. The mobile charging port offered by the mass transit vehicle 18 serves as a convenient way to conserve and/or recharge the battery while traveling, which in turn may further extend the user 22 travel range.

[0010] With reference to Figure 1, a multi-modal transportation system 10 includes the mass transit vehicle 18 and the user transport device 24. The mass transit vehicle 18, e.g., a bus (as shown in Figure 1), a trolley, a tram, a streetcar, etc., may be a shared passenger transport service for use by the general public. The mass transit vehicle 18 may be used to transport the user transport device 24 to a desired location at which the user transport device 24 may be unlocked from the mass transit vehicle 18 and driven to a final destination, as set forth below. The user transport device 24 may be of any suitable electrical, and/or human powered type, e.g., a bicycle (as shown in Figure 1), a scooter, a foldable bicycle, etc., and may include one or more wheels 34. The user transport device 24 may be manually powered by the user 22 and/or may be electrically powered. [0011] More than one user transport device 24 may be attached to the mass transit vehicle 18. For example, Figure 1 shows three users 22, e.g., user 22a, user 22b and user 22c, and three respective user transport devices 24, e.g. device 24a, device 24b and device 24c, that are either attached and locked to the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 (e.g., device 24c), or in the process of being attached and locked to the mass transit vehicle 18 (e.g., device 24b). User transport device 24a is approaching the mass transit vehicle 18 from the rear 16, but user 22a has not yet engaged with the vehicle system 12, as set forth below.

[0012] The mass transit vehicle 18 includes the vehicle system 12. As set forth above, the mass transit vehicle 18 and the user transport device 24 are components of the multimodal transportation system 10 when the vehicle system 12 of the mass transit vehicle 18 removeably attaches the user transport device 24 to the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0013] The mass transit vehicle 18 may have one or more bays 36 at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 for connecting to one or more user transport devices 24. Each bay 36 supports only one user transport device 24. For example, Figure 1 shows four bays 36, e.g., bay 36a-bay 36d, to support up to four user transport devices 24.

[0014] The mass transit vehicle 18 has a left side 38, a right side 40, a front 42, and the rear 16, as set forth above, wherein the terms left, right, front and rear are understood from the perspective of a driver of the mass transit vehicle 18 seated in a driver's seat in a standard operation position (i.e. facing a front windshield). The front 42 faces in a front direction F, and the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 faces in a rear direction R opposite the front direction F, as shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The mass transit vehicle 18 includes a rear exterior panel 44. The rear exterior panel 44 is located at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 and faces in the rear direction R. The rear exterior panel may be one-piece or may be multiple pieces. The rear external panel 44 may include holes and/or slots for receiving the components of the vehicle system 12, as set forth below, such as the lock 14.

[0016] With reference to Figure 2, the user transport device 24 includes one or more battery 46, a charging plug 48, an electric motor 50, and a latching mechanism 52. The user transport device 24 may include heart rate sensors (not shown) to monitor a heart rate of the user 22. The vehicle system 12 may secure and release the user transport device 24 to/from the mass transit vehicle 18, and powers the power outlet 32 at each bay 36. [0017] The computer 20 includes a processor and a memory, as described further below. The memory includes one or more forms of computer-readable media, and stores instructions executable by the processor for performing various operations, including those disclosed herein. The computer 20 may include and/or be communicatively coupled to more than one computing device, e.g., controllers or the like included in the mass transit vehicle 18 for monitoring and/or controlling various components of the mass transit vehicle 18. For example, and as set forth below, the computer 20 may be programmed to communicate with components of the mass transit vehicle 18 such as an engine control unit (ECU), a transmission control unit (TCU), etc., requesting the components to prohibit movement of the mass transit vehicle 18, e.g., disengage transmission, ignore throttle requests, etc.

[0018] The computer 20 is configured for, i.e., includes hardware and/or software, communications on a vehicle network such as a controller area network (CAN) bus, local interconnect network (LIN) bus or the like. Via the CAN bus, LIN bus, and/or other wired or wireless mechanisms, the computer 20 may transmit messages to various devices of the mass transit vehicle 18 and/or receive messages from the various devices, e.g., controllers, actuators, sensors, etc. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the computer 20 comprises multiple devices, the CAN bus or the like may be used for communications between devices represented as the computer 20 in this disclosure. In addition, the computer 20 may be configured for communicating with other devices via various wired and/or wireless networking technologies, e.g., cellular, BLUETOOTH®, a universal serial bus (USB), wired and/or wireless packet networks, etc.

[0019] As set forth further below, the computer 20 may be programmed to receive the lock signal from the sensor 28, and to output a lock power signal that may secure the user transport device 24 to the mass transit vehicle 18, as set forth below. The driver display 30 receives the indication signal from the computer 20 indicating the lock 14 is either locked or unlocked. The vehicle system 12 includes a release button 54. As further set forth below, the computer 20 is programmed to receive a release signal from the release button 54, and output an unlock power signal that may release the user transport device 24 from the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0020] The user input device 26 may be, for example, a card reader (as shown in

Figure 1), a keypad, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, etc. The user input device 26 is supported at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 by, e.g., fasteners, screws, etc. The user input device 26 may be mounted to the rear exterior panel 44 of the mass transit vehicle 18, or to any other suitable component of the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0021] The user input device 26 receives input data from the user 22 through the user input device 26, and outputs the presence signal to the computer 20. For example, the input data may be in the form of data stored on a magnetic stripe card received by the user input device 26 when the user 22 swipes the magnetic stripe card across a magnetic reading head of the user input device 26. Alternatively, the input data may be in the form of electronic data received from a keypad when the user 22 inputs a sequence of numbers, letters, and/or characters on the keypad. In any case, the input data received by the user input device 26 from the user 22 is in a suitable format to be interpreted by the user input device 26.

[0022] The input data received by the user 22 may be processed by the user input device 26. The input data may include, for example, user information that verifies the user 22 is allowed to use the mass transit vehicle 18, identification information, etc. After the user input device 26 successfully processes the input data, e.g., verifies the user 22 is allowed to use the transit service, the entry of the input data is valid, etc., the user input device 26 may output the presence signal to the computer 20. Alternatively, the user input device 26 may simply output all input data obtained from the user 22 to the computer 20, in which case the output would serve as the presence signal, and the computer 20 may process the input data. The presence signal represents to the computer 20 that the user input device 26 was accessed by the user 22, i.e., the user 22 accessed the user input device 26 from the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0023] The user input device 26 may include a human interface device (not shown) that provides video and/or audio feedback to the user 22 that the input data is valid or not valid. The computer 20 may receive the presence signal from the user input device 26 wirelessly, e.g., BLUETOOTH, WiFi, etc., via the CAN bus or the like, or from a direct wired connection.

[0024] The computer 20 may be programmed to receive the presence signal from the user input device 26, as set forth above. In response to receiving the presence signal, the computer 20 may be programmed to output a disable signal to one or more components of the mass transit vehicle 18 requesting that the mass transit vehicle 18 be prohibited from moving. For example, the computer 20 may output the disable signal via the CAN bus to the ECU requesting the ECU to disable the mass transit vehicle 18 engine operation and/or the mass transit vehicle 18 transmission operation in response to the disable signal. The reason for prohibiting mass transit vehicle 18 movement is to allow the user 22 to begin the process of locking the user transport device 24 to the mass transit vehicle 18 in a safe manner. Once the computer 20 receives the lock signal representing that the user transport device 24 is locked to the mass transit vehicle 18, as set forth below, the computer 20 may be programmed to output an enable signal to one or more components of the mass transit vehicle 18 requesting that the mass transit vehicle 18 be permitted to move, i.e., remove the constraints placed by the components prohibiting the mass transit vehicle 18 movement. The computer 20 may output the disable/enable signal to any suitable component(s) of the mass transit vehicle 18 capable of prohibiting/permitting the mass transit vehicle 18 from moving. The computer 20 may communicate with the components of the mass transit vehicle 18 utilizing wired or wireless communication mechanisms as set forth above.

[0025] The computer 20 may include electrical circuitry to interface to the various components of the vehicle system 12, as shown in Figure 2. For example, the computer 20 may include electrical circuitry to interface to a lock switch 56, an outlet switch 58, the sensor 28, the release button 54, the driver display 30, and the user input device 26.

[0026] The latching mechanism 52 of the user transport device 24 may be mounted to a front end 60 of the user transport device 24. The front end 60 of the user transport device 24 faces in the front direction F when the user transport device 24 approaches the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. As set forth below, the latching mechanism 52 may be formed of a ferromagnetic material, or a permanent magnet material. Alternatively, the latching mechanism 52 may be of any suitable shape and configuration for engaging with the lock 14 in order to lock the user transport device 24 to the mass transit vehicle 18. As yet another alternative, the latching mechanism 52 may be the user transport device 24 itself, e.g., the wheel 34 of the user transport device 24, a frame 62 of the user transport device 24, etc., where, in this case, the user transport device 24 may be engaged with the lock 14 directly to lock the user transport device 24 to the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0027] The lock 14 of the vehicle system 12 may be of any suitable type for engaging the latching mechanism 52 of the user transport device 24. For example, the lock 14 may be an electromagnet 114, an electromechanical actuator (not shown), an electromechanical solenoid (not shown), etc. The lock 14 is supported by the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 by, e.g., fasteners, screws, bolts, etc. The lock 14 may be mounted to the rear external panel 44 of mass transit vehicle 18, or other panels that make up the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0028] For example, in the case where the lock 14 is the electromagnet 114, as shown in Figure 1, the electromagnet 114 is supported by the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. The magnetic poles 64 of the electromagnet 114 are mounted to the rear external panel 44. When the electromagnet 114 is powered, as set forth below, a magnetic field is emitted at the rear exterior panel 44.

[0029] Once the computer 20 receives the presence signal, the computer 20 may be programmed to output the lock power signal. The lock power signal indirectly provides power to energize the lock 14. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle system 12 includes the lock switch 56, e.g., an electromechanical relay, a solid state device, etc., and a power source 66, e.g., a vehicle 12-volt battery, a vehicle generator direct current (DC) output, a vehicle generator alternating current (AC) output, etc. The lock switch 56 connects the power source 66 to the lock 14 when the lock power signal is received by the lock switch 56. The lock power signal via the lock switch 56 may, for example, power the electromagnet 114, extend/retract a lead screw of the electromagnet actuator, extend/retract an armature of the electromagnetic solenoid, etc.

[0030] The computer 20 may be programmed to receive the lock signal from the sensor 28 after the computer 20 outputs the lock power signal. As set forth above, the lock signal represents to the computer 20 that the lock 14 is locked to the user transport device 24, i.e., the latching mechanism 52, at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. In the configuration where the lock 14 is the electromagnet 114, the sensor 28 may be, for example, a magnetic field sensor, e.g., Hall effect, linear anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR), etc., mounted to the electromagnet 114. In this instance, the magnetic field sensor measures the intensity of the magnetic field between the powered electromagnet 114 and the latching mechanism 52 connected to the electromagnet 114. In this instance, as set forth above, the latching mechanism 52 may be formed of a suitable ferromagnetic material, e.g., with a high relative permeability, e.g., iron, laminated steel, etc., or a permanent magnet material, e.g., Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), etc. When the user 22 connects the latching mechanism 52 to the powered electromagnet 114, the magnet field sensor may measure the magnetic field between the electromagnet 114 and the latching mechanism 52. The magnetic sensor may then provide the computer 20 with the lock signal representing that the electromagnet 114 is locked to the latching mechanism 52. [0031] Alternatively, the sensor 28 may be, for example, a proximity sensor, e.g., infrared, inductive, etc. In this case, the sensor 28 may be mounted to the lock 14 and/or supported by the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. When the user 22 connects the latching mechanism 52, e.g., a ring, a closed loop hook, the wheel 34 of the user transport device 24, as set forth above, etc., to the powered lock 14, the proximity sensor may measure the position of e.g., the lead screw of the electromagnet actuator, the armature of the solenoid, etc. The proximity sensor may then provide the computer 20 with the lock signal representing that the lock 14 is locked to the latching mechanism 52. In any case, the sensor 28 may be of any suitable type that provides the lock signal representing that the lock 14 is locked to the latching mechanism 52 to the computer 20.

[0032] The driver display 30 is supported by an interior of the mass transit vehicle 18. The mass transit vehicle 18 may include an instrument panel having an instrument cluster 68. The driver display 30 may be a section 70 of the instrument cluster 68, as shown in Figures 3A-3B. Alternatively, the driver display 30 may be a standalone device mounted in a suitable location to be viewed by the driver of the mass transit vehicle 18. The driver display 30 may be of any suitable output device capable of presenting visual information, e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) display, etc.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3A, the driver display 30 may include sectors 72, e.g., sector 72a-72d, indicating a state of the lock 14 in the corresponding bays 36a-36d. The computer 20 may be programmed to output the indication signal to the driver display 30. The indication signal may represent the states of the lock 14, e.g., an attached state, a not-attached state, and an empty state. In the not-attached state, the computer 20 has already received the presence signal from the user input device 26, but not the lock signal from the sensor 28, i.e., user transport device 24 is not yet locked to the lock 14, e.g., bay 36b/device 24b as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the computer 20 outputs the indication signal state representing the not- attached state to sector 72b, which is e.g., represented as the label "Not Attached" on the driver display 30, as shown in Figure 3A. In the attached state, the computer 20 had received both the presence signal and the lock signal, i.e., the user transport device 24 is locked to the lock 14, e.g., bay 36d/device 24c as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the computer 20 outputs the indication signal state representing the attached state to sector 72d, which is e.g., represented as the label "Attached" on the driver display 30, as shown in Figure 3A. In the empty state, the computer 20 has not received the presence signal, i.e., the user 22 has not engaged with the vehicle system 12, e.g., bay 36a/device 24a, bay 36c. In this case, the computer 20 outputs the indication signal state representing the empty state to sectors 72a and 72c, which is e.g., represented as label "Empty" on the driver display 30, as shown in Figure 3A.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3A-3B, the driver display 30 may include an additional sector 72, e.g., sector 72e, indicating a summary state of all the locks 14. The computer 20 may be programmed to output the indication signal representing the summary state of the locks 14, e.g., an unlocked summary state, and a locked summary state. For example, when the computer 20 receives the presence signal, but not the corresponding lock signal, i.e., the not-attached state, the computer 20 may output the indication signal summary state representing the unlocked summary state to sector 72e, which is represented as the label "UNLOCK" on the driver display 30, as shown in Figure 3A. As another example, when the computer 20 receives the presence signals from the user input devices 26, and the lock signals corresponding to every presence signal received by the computer 20, i.e., the attached state, the computer 20 may output the indication signal summary state representing the locked summary state to sector 72e, which is represented as the label "LOCK" on the driver display 30, as shown in Figure 3B. Figure 3B illustrates an example where the locks 14 of bays 36a, 36b and 36d are attached, and bay 36c is empty, which is not the states set forth in Figure 1.

[0035] The power outlet 32 of the vehicle system 12 may be of any suitable type for engaging with the charging plug 48 of the user transport device 24. For example, the power outlet 32 may be an AC power socket, e.g., Type A, Type B (as shown in Figure 1), Type C, etc., or a DC plug. The power outlet 32 is supported by the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 by, e.g., fasteners, screws, bolts, etc. The power outlet 32 may be mounted other panels that make up the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18, as shown in Figure 1, or to the rear external panel 44 of the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0036] Once the computer 20 receives the lock signal, the computer 20 may be programmed to output the outlet power signal. The outlet power signal indirectly provides power to the power outlet 32. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle system 12 includes an outlet switch 58, e.g., an electromechanical relay, a solid state device, etc. The outlet switch 58 connects the power source 66, as set forth above, to the power outlet 32 when the outlet power signal is received by the outlet switch 58. [0037] The charging plug 48 of the user transport device 24 may be of any suitable type for engaging with the power outlet 32 of the mass transit vehicle 18. For example, the charging plug 48 may be an AC power plug, e.g., Type A, Type B (as shown in Figure 1), Type C, etc., or a DC plug. The charging plug 48 is electrically connected to the battery 46 of the user transport device 24. The charging plug 48 may convert e.g., AC voltage from the power outlet 32 to DC voltage, which may be used by the battery 46. The charging plug 48 may include an adaptor (not shown) that converts the charging plug 48 type, e.g., adaptor for converting a Type B plug used in the United States to a Type C plug used in Europe, etc.

[0038] The release button 54 may be, e.g., a push button switch (as shown in

Figure 1), a plunger switch, etc. The release button 54 is supported by the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18 by, e.g., fasteners, screws, bolts, etc. The release button 54 may be mounted to other panels that make up the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18, as shown in Figure 1, or to the rear external panel 44 of the mass transit vehicle 18.

[0039] Once the computer 20 receives the release signal from the release button

54, the computer 20 may be programmed to conditionally output the unlock power signal to unlock the lock 14, i.e., release the latching mechanism 52 to unlock the user transport device 24 from the lock 14. The computer 20 may monitor other components of the mass transit vehicle 18, e.g., ECU, TCU, etc., via the CAN bus, as set forth above, to determine if, e.g., the mass transit vehicle 18 transmission is in a park position. The computer 20 may be programmed to not output the unlock power signal to the lock 14 unless, e.g., the transmission of the mass transit vehicle 18 is prohibited from moving. There may be other situations where the computer 20 would not output the unlock power signal, e.g., the computer 20 determined a system error, a brake was not applied by the driver, etc.

[0040] When the computer 20 receives the release signal, and is satisfied that, for example, the mass transit vehicle 18 transmission is in the park position, etc., the computer 20 may output the unlock power signal to the lock switch 56. Upon receiving the unlock power signal, the lock switch 56 opens, and the power source 66 is disconnected from the lock 14, thus releasing the user transport device 24. The computer 20 may also output an outlet unpower signal to the outlet switch 58. Upon receiving the outlet unpower signal, the outlet switch 58 opens, and the power source 66 is disconnected from the power outlet 32. The computer 20 may receive the release signal from the release button 54 wirelessly, e.g., BLUETOOTH, WiFi, etc., via the CAN bus or the like, or from a direct wired connection.

[0041] Once the computer 20 outputs the unlock power signal to unlock the user transport device 24, the computer 20 may be programmed to communicate with the user input device 26. For example, if the user input device 26 captured and held, e.g., the magnetic stripe card, during the initial user 22 engagement with the user input device 26, the computer 20 may output a card release signal to the user input device 26, whereupon the user input device 26 would release the magnetic stripe card to the user 22. The computer 20 may output the card release signal to the user input device 26 wirelessly, e.g., BLUETOOTH, WiFi, etc., via the CAN bus or the like, or from a direct wired connection.

[0042] The battery 46 of the user transport device 24 is electrically connected to the charging plug 48 and the electric motor 50. The battery 46 receives electrical energy from the charging plug 48, when the charging plug 48 is connected to an energy source. The battery 46 supplies energy to the electric motor 50 when sufficiently charged. The battery 46 may be of any suitable rechargeable type, e.g., lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), lead acid, etc.

[0043] The electric motor 50 of the user transport device 24 converts the electrical energy supplied from the battery 46 to mechanical energy to power the wheels 34 of the user transport device 24. The electrical motor 50 may be of any suitable type, e.g., permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor, brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, etc. The electric motor 50 may be incorporated into a hub of the wheels 34, a bicycle crank drive, etc. The electric motor 50 may be developed to provide regenerative braking to the wheels 34 allowing for an alternate method to charge the battery 46 when the user transport device 24 is locked to the mass transit vehicle 18 and in transit.

[0044] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example process 300 that may be executed by the computer 20 when the user 22 engages the vehicle system 12 for public transportation and charging the user transport device 24. The process 300 may be executed at any time, such as when the user 22 engages any of the user input devices 26 at the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. There may or may not be other user transport devices 24 locked to the mass transit vehicle 18. For the example process 300, the vehicle system 12 incorporates the electromagnet 114 as the lock 14, as shown in Figure 1. The process 300 starts at a block 305. [0045] In the block 305, the user 22 provides input data to any of the user input devices 26, e.g., a swipe of the magnetic stripe card, keypad entries, etc., as set forth above. The input data either remains local to the specific user input device 26 for processing, or is output to the computer 20 for processing. If the input data is provided by the magnetic stripe card, the specific user input device 26 may retain the magnetic stripe card until the user transport device 24 is unlocked, as set forth below.

[0046] In a decision block 310, the input data may be processed to determine if the input data is valid. The selected user input device 26 or the computer 20 may be programmed to determine if the user 22 is allowed to use the vehicle system 12. If the input data from the user 22 is determined to be valid by the user input device 26, the selected user input device 26 outputs the presence signal to be received by the computer 20, and the process 300 proceeds to a block 315. If the input data is sent directly to the computer 20 for processing, the input data serves as the presence signal and the computer 20 receives the presence signal from the user input device 26. The computer 20 then processes the input data, and if the computer 20 determines the input data to be valid, the process 300 proceeds to the block 315. Otherwise, the process 300 ends.

[0047] Next, in the block 315, the computer 20 outputs the disable signal to other components of the mass transit vehicle 18 requesting that the mass transit vehicle 18 be prohibited from moving via the CAN bus or the like, as set forth above. The computer 20 may receive a message back from the other components verifying that the mass transit vehicle 18 is prohibited from moving, e.g., a message indicating that the transmission of the mass transit vehicle 18 is in the park position, etc.

[0048] Next in a block 320, the computer 20 notifies the driver display 30 of the not-attached state of the specific user transport device 24. The computer 20 outputs the indication signal representing the not-attached state to the respective sector 72 of the driver display 30. The computer 20 also outputs the indication signal representing the unlocked summary state to the respective sector 72 of the driver display 30, as set forth above.

[0049] In a block 325, the computer 20 powers the lock 14 corresponding to the specific user input device 26 selected by the user 22 by outputting the lock power signal to the respective lock switch 56. The lock switch 56 then switches power from the power source 66 of the mass transit vehicle 18 to the respective electromagnet 114. The magnetic field generated from the electromagnet 114 is emitted at the rear exterior panel 44 of the mass transit vehicle 18. [0050] In a decision block 330, the computer 20 may receive the lock signal from the magnetic sensor, as set forth above, representing that the specific electromagnet 114 is locked to the user transport device 24. If the computer 20 receives the lock signal from the sensor 28, the process 300 proceeds to a block 340. Otherwise, the process 300 proceeds to a block 335.

[0051] In the decision block 335, the computer 20 determines whether a timer representing a time from engaging with the selected user input device 26 to locking the electromagnet 114 to the user transport device 24 has expired, e.g., 30 seconds. If the timer has not expired, the timer continues to run, and the process 300 proceeds to the block 330. Otherwise, the timer has expired and the process 300 ends.

[0052] In the block 340, the computer 20 notifies the driver display 30 of the attached state of the specific user transport device 24. The computer 20 outputs the indication signal representing the attached state to the respective sector 72 of the driver display 30. The computer 20 also outputs the indication signal representing the lock summary state to the respective sector 72 of the driver display 30, as set forth above.

[0053] Next, in a block 345, the computer 20 outputs the enable signal to other components of the mass transit vehicle 18 requesting that the mass transit vehicle 18 be permitted to move via the CAN bus or the like, as set forth above. The computer 20 may receive a message back from the other components of the mass transit vehicle 18 verifying that the mass transit vehicle 18 is permitted to move.

[0054] In a block 350, the computer 20 powers the power outlet 32 corresponding to the specific user input device 26 selected by the user 22 by outputting the outlet power signal to the respective outlet switch 58. The outlet switch 58 then switches power from the power source 66 to the respective power outlet 32. Energy is then available via the power outlet 32 for charging the battery 46 of the specific user transport device 24.

[0055] In a decision block 355, the computer 20 may receive the release signal from any of the release buttons 54 on the rear 16 of the mass transit vehicle 18. If the computer 20 receives the release signal from the release button 54, the process 300 proceeds to a block 360. Otherwise, the process 300 proceeds to the block 350.

[0056] In the decision block 360, the computer 20 determines if the mass transit vehicle 18 has stopped. The computer 20 monitors other components of the mass transit vehicle 18 to determine if, e.g., the mass transit vehicle 18 transmission is in the park position, as set forth above. If the mass transit vehicle 18 has not stopped, the process 300 proceeds to the block 350. Otherwise, the process 300 proceeds to a block 365.

[0057] In the block 365, the computer 20 outputs the unlock power signal to the respective lock switch 56 corresponding to the selected release button 54. The lock switch 56 then opens the connection between the power source 66 and the electromagnet 114 unlocking the respective user transport device 24. The computer 20 also outputs the outlet unpower signal to the respective outlet switch 58. The outlet switch 58 opens the connection between the power source 66 and the power outlet 32. If the magnetic stripe card was retained by the user input device 24, the computer 20 outputs the card release signal to the user input device 26, as set forth above. Following the block 356, the process 300 ends.

[0058] Processors such as those discussed herein each include instructions executable by one or more processing devices such as those identified above, and for carrying out blocks or steps of processes described above. For example, process blocks discussed above may be embodied as computer-executable instructions.

[0059] In general, the computer 20 and/or devices described may employ any of a number of computer operating systems, including, but by no means limited to, versions and/or varieties of the Ford SYNC® application, AppLink/Smart Device Link middleware, the MICROSOFT® Automotive operating system, the Microsoft WINDOWS® operating system, the Unix operating system (e.g., the SOLARIS® operating system distributed by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, California), the AIX UNIX operating system distributed by International Business Machines of Armonk, New York, the Linux operating system, the Mac OSX and iOS operating systems distributed by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California, the BlackBerry OS distributed by Blackberry, Ltd. of Waterloo, Canada, and the Android operating system developed by Google, Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance, or the QNX® CAR Platform for Infotainment offered by QNX Software Systems. Examples of computing devices include, without limitation, an on-board vehicle computer, a computer workstation, a server, a desktop, notebook, laptop, or handheld computer, or some other computing system and/or device.

[0060] The computer 20 includes computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be executable by one or more computing devices such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of programming languages and/or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc. Some of these applications may be compiled and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java Virtual Machine, the Dalvik virtual machine, or the like. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.

[0061] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by the computer 20 (e.g., by the processor of the computer 20). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non- volatile media and volatile media. Non- volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which constitutes a main memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by one or more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor of the computer 20. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[0062] Databases, data repositories or other data stores described herein may include various kinds of mechanisms for storing, accessing, and retrieving various kinds of data, including a hierarchical database, a set of files in a file system, an application database in a proprietary format, a relational database management system (RDBMS), etc. Each such data store is included within a computing device employing a computer operating system such as one of those mentioned above, and are accessed via a network in any one or more of a variety of manners. A file system may be accessible from a computer operating system, and may include files stored in various formats. An RDBMS employs the Structured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating, storing, editing, and executing stored procedures, such as the PL/SQL language mentioned above. [0063] In some examples, system elements may be implemented as computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.), stored on computer readable media associated therewith (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). A computer program product may comprise such instructions stored on computer readable media for carrying out the functions described herein.

[0064] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:

a lock on a rear of a mass transit vehicle; and

a computer programmed to receive a presence signal representing the presence of a user at the rear of the mass transit vehicle, to receive a lock signal representing that the lock is locked to a user transport device at the rear of the mass transit vehicle, and to output an indication signal representing that the lock is locked.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further programmed to output a disable signal to a component of the mass transit vehicle in response to the presence signal to prohibit movement of the mass transit vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further programmed to output an enable signal to a component of the mass transit vehicle in response to the lock signal to permit movement of the mass transit vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user input device on the rear of the mass transit vehicle, and wherein the computer is further programmed to receive the presence signal from the user input device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a driver display in the mass transit vehicle, and wherein the computer is further programmed to output the indication signal to the driver display representing that the lock is locked in response to a receipt of the lock signal.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a driver display in the mass transit vehicle, and wherein the computer is further programmed to output the indication signal to the driver display representing that the lock is unlocked in response to a receipt of the presence signal and in the absence of the lock signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the lock is an electromagnet, and wherein the computer is further programmed to output a lock power signal to the electromagnet to power the electromagnet in response to the presence signal.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power outlet, and wherein the computer is further programmed to output an outlet power signal to the power outlet to provide power to the power outlet in response to the lock signal.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a release button on the rear of the mass transit vehicle, and wherein the computer is further programmed to receive a release signal from the release button, and to output an unlock power signal to the lock in response to at least the release signal.

10. A method comprising:

receiving a presence signal representing the presence of a user at a rear of a mass transit vehicle;

receiving a lock signal from a lock on the rear of the mass transit vehicle representing that the lock is locked to a user transport device at the rear of the mass transit vehicle; and

outputting an indication signal indicating that the lock is locked.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising outputting a disable signal to a component of the mass transit vehicle in response to the presence signal to prohibit movement of the mass transit vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising outputting an enable signal to a component of the mass transit vehicle in response to the presence signal to permit movement of the mass transit vehicle.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising outputting the indication signal to a driver display of the mass transit vehicle representing that the lock is locked in response to a receipt of the lock signal.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising outputting the indication signal to a driver display of the mass transit vehicle representing that the lock is unlocked in response to a receipt of the presence signal and in the absence of the lock signal.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising supplying power to a power outlet at the rear of the mass transit vehicle in response to the lock signal.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the lock is an electromagnet, further comprising powering the electromagnet in response to a receipt of the presence signal.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving a release signal from a release button on the rear of the mass transit vehicle indicating an unlock request from the user, and outputting an unlock power signal to the lock in response to at least the release signal.

18. A multi-modal transportation system comprising:

a mass transit vehicle having a rear external panel;

a user transport device including a magnet;

an electromagnet emitting a magnetic field when powered, the electromagnet being supported by the mass transit vehicle and positioned to emit the magnetic field at the rear exterior panel; and

a computer programmed to power the electromagnet.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a user input device supported by the mass transit vehicle, and positioned at the rear exterior panel of the mass transit vehicle, and wherein the computer is further programmed to receive a presence signal from the user input device representing the presence of a user at the rear exterior panel of the mass transit vehicle, and to receive a lock signal representing that the electromagnet is locked to the magnet.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a release button supported by the mass transit vehicle and positioned at the rear exterior panel of the mass transit vehicle, and wherein the computer is further programmed to receive a release signal from the release button, and to output an unlock power signal to the electromagnet in response to at least the release signal.