AU2016203335A1 - A tracking system - Google Patents

Abstract

A tracking system, the system including: an identification item associated with a transport user; an identification module associated with a transport vehicle, the identification module configured to retrieve an identifier associated with the transport user from the identification item; and a server configured to: receive communication regarding the identifier; and update a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle. 2721091 v1 -- - 2259771v1

Description

2016203335 23 May 2016 -1 -

A TRACKING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a tracking system and method of use. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a tracking system and method of use for tracking transport users.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

[0003] School students regularly use public and private transport in the form of buses to travel to and from school and also in their participation in school organised excursions. Manual bus rolls are intended to be used to record students that have been allocated to a particular service and which students are actually on the bus on any given day and journey. Similarly, manual bus rolls are used to keep track of tourists on bus tours and alike.

[0004] Flowever, there is inherent inaccuracy in the above manual type recording. Moreover, this manual type recording is time consuming and is often incomplete or non-existent because schools and bus operators, for example, do not have the required resources to carry out these tasks. In addition, with regards to schools, as the appointment of a student bus captain to record the bus roll is unpopular within schools, for instance, and as bus operators are not required to record passenger details, the recording of bus travellers on board the bus may only happen on rare occasions.

[0005] Furthermore, this manual type recording does not allow government agencies, which typically fund school buses, to easily determine whether their funding and resources are being used effectively and efficiently. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -2-

On the rare occasion that this information is available, it is again resource intensive to collate and formulate into meaningful data. There are also no systems in use that capture data in real time which means that information can also be months old leading to further inaccuracies and reporting that is outdated.

[0006] In addition, manual bus rolls do not provide a quick and effective means for distributing information to emergency services in, for example, a bus crash. Again, because no real time systems exist, it comes down to a combination of the school, tourist operator and/or bus operator to determine who may have been travelling at any given time. If a roll call cannot be found or if an emergency situation occurs in the morning during pickup, it is almost impossible to establish which people would be travelling and whether all people have been accounted for.

[0007] Separately, a manual bus roll does not provide information to, for example, parents who wish to know when and where their child boarded the bus and travelled safely to and from school.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an aim of this invention to provide a tracking system and method of use which, overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

[0009] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a tracking system, the system including: 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -3- an identification item associated with a transport user; an identification module associated with a transport vehicle, the identification module configured to retrieve an identifier associated with the transport user from the identification item; and a server configured to: receive communication regarding the identifier; and update a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle.

[0011] Preferably, the server updates the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by including the transport user onto a record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the identification item is passive. In a further form, the identification item is active and powered by a battery. Preferably, the identification item is in the form of a proximity card. Preferably, the identification item includes a radio frequency identification device (RFID) and/or near field communication (NFC) device. Preferably, the identification item includes a barcode. Preferably, the identification item includes a two-dimensional barcode. Preferably, the two-dimensional barcode includes a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0013] Preferably, the identifier associated with the transport user includes an identifying signal. Preferably, the identifying signal comprises a plurality of characters. Preferably, the characters include a number and/or a letter. In a further form, the identifier associated with the transport user includes a code. Preferably, the code may be represented by a barcode. Preferably, the code may be represented by a two-dimensional barcode. Preferably, the two-dimensional barcode includes a QR code.

[0014] In a further form, the identification item is in the form of a biometric feature of the transport user. In this further form, preferably the identifier 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -4- associated with the transport user is in the form of a fingerprint, iris and/or facial feature of the transport user.

[0015] Preferably, the identification module is configured to retrieve the identifier associated with the transport user when the identification item is proximate thereto. Preferably, the identification item is proximate to the identification module when the identification item is adjacent to the identification module. Preferably, the identification module includes a RFID reader, a barcode reader and/or a two-dimensional barcode reader. Preferably, the two-dimensional barcode reader is configured to read a QR code.

[0016] Preferably, the identification module is in communication with a communication module. Preferably, the communication module is in wireless communication with the server. Preferably, the communication between the communication module and the server is encrypted. Preferably, the server receives communication regarding the identifier from the communication module.

[0017] Preferably, the status record includes a predetermined record of transport users associated with the transport vehicle. Preferably, the server updates the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by changing the status of the transport user on the predetermined record.

[0018] Preferably, as part of updating the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle, the server is configured to retrieve transport user details related to the transport user. Preferably, the transport user details include a name of the transport user. Preferably, the server updates the predetermined record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by changing the status associated with the transport user’s name. Preferably, the server updates the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by including the transport user’s name onto the record of transport users on the transport vehicle. Preferably, 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -5- the record of transport users includes the names of all transport users presently on the transport vehicle.

[0019] Preferably, the server is configured to send a status update to a further user that the transport user is on the transport vehicle when the server receives communication regarding the identifier.

[0020] Preferably, the system includes a location module. Preferably, the location module is configured to determine the location of the transport vehicle. Preferably, the location module includes a Global Position System (GPS). Preferably, the location module includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). Preferably, the location module includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver. Preferably, the GPS and GLOBASS form part of the GNSSS receiver.

[0021] Preferably, the location module communicates with the communication module. Preferably, the communication module communicates the location of the transport vehicle to the server.

[0022] Preferably, in response to the server determining that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle at or near a predetermined pickup location, it is determined that the transport user has not boarded the transport vehicle.

[0023] Preferably, the server is configured to send a status update to the further user when the transport user has not boarded transport vehicle at or near the predetermined pickup location. Preferably, the server is configured to send a status update to the further user when the transport user has not boarded a predetermined transport vehicle. Preferably, the status update is in the form of a message or notification. Preferably, the status update is in the form of an email or text message.

[0024] Preferably, in response to the server determining that the transport user is not included on the status record, it is determined that the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle. Preferably, in response to the server determining that the transport user is on the record of transport users on the transport vehicle but not included on the predetermined record, it 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -6- is determined that the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle.

[0025] Preferably, the server is configured to send a status update to the further user when the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle. Preferably, the server is configured to send a status update to the transport user when they have boarded the incorrect transport vehicle.

[0026] Preferably, the server is configured to record a pickup location when the status record is updated to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle. Preferably, in response to the server receiving communication regarding the identifier in a different location to the pickup location, as determined with the location module, the server is configured to update the status record to indicate that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle. In another form, when the transport vehicle reaches a predetermined destination, as determined with the location module, the server is configured to update the status record to indicate that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle.

[0027] Preferably, the server is configured to send a status update to the further user when the transport user has arrived at the different location to the pickup location and is not on the transport vehicle.

[0028] Preferably, the server includes a plurality of communication portals. Preferably, the plurality of communication portals allow a plurality of users to access the status record and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0029] Preferably, one or more of the plurality of communication portals requires a password to login. Preferably, one or more of the plurality of communication portals are given different access levels to the transport users details, the status record and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0030] Preferably, one of the communication portals includes a registration portal. Preferably, the transport user details are uploaded onto the server 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 7 - through the registration portal. Preferably, the transport user details are assigned to the identifier by the server. For example, the transport user registers their transport user details through the registration portal and uploads information relating to the identification item. The server retrieves the identifier based on the information relating to the identification item and assigns a relationship between the identifier and the transport users details.

[0031] Preferably, one of the communication portals includes a coordinator portal. Preferably, the co-ordinator portal allows the transport user to be assigned to the predetermined record of the transport user associated with the transport vehicle. Preferably, the transport user is assigned to a predetermined transport vehicle. Preferably, the predetermined record provides an indication of which transport users should be travelling on the transport vehicle.

[0032] Preferably, one of the communication portals includes a carer’s portal. Preferably, the carer’s portal allows a request to be sent to the server to provide information.

[0033] Preferably, in response to receiving a request through the carer’s portal to query whether the transport user is on the transport vehicle, the server provides a status update on whether the transport user is on the transport vehicle.

[0034] Preferably, in response to receiving a request through the carer’s portal to query the location of the transport user, the server provides a status update on a location of the transport user.

[0035] Preferably, one of the communication portals includes an institute portal. Preferably, the institute portal is accessed by institute staff associated with the transport user. Preferably, the institute portal allows a request to be sent to the server to provide information.

[0036] Preferably, in response to receiving a request through the institute portal to query whether the transport user is on the transport vehicle, the 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -8- server provides status update on whether the transport user is on the transport vehicle.

[0037] Preferably, the institute portal allows, upon request to the server, access to the status record. Preferably, the institute portal allows, upon request to the server, access to the record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0038] Preferably, the institute portal allows, upon request to the server, a report of absent transport user(s). Preferably, the report of absent transport user(s) is determined from the status record. Preferably, the report of absent transport user(s) is determined by comparing the record of transport users on the transport vehicle with the predetermined record.

[0039] Preferably, in response to receiving a request through the institute portal to query the location of the transport vehicle, the server provides an indication on the location of the transport vehicle.

[0040] Preferably, the institute portal also allows information relating to the transport user to be uploaded to the server. For example, a progress record may be uploaded onto the server regarding the transport user. Preferably, the progress record may be accessed through the carer’s portal once it is uploaded through the institute portal.

[0041] Preferably, one of the communication portals includes a status report portal. Preferably, the status report portal allows, upon request to the server, access to an occupancy report. Preferably, the occupancy report provides an indication of the number of transport users on the transport vehicle during a transport route in comparison to a total occupancy of the transport vehicle.

[0042] Preferably, the status report portal allows, upon request to the server, access to a transport vehicle route report. Preferably, the transport route report provides an indication of a transport vehicle route associated with the transport vehicle. Preferably, the transport route report provides an indication of time taken along one or more parts of the transport vehicle route. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -9- [0043] Preferably, one of the communication portals includes an emergency portal. Preferably, the emergency portal allows, upon request to the server, access to the status record. Preferably, the emergency portal allows, upon request to the server, access to the record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0044] Preferably, in response to receiving a request through the emergency portal to query the location of the transport vehicle, the server provides an indication on the location of the transport vehicle.

[0045] In another form the invention resides in a server, the server being configured to: receive an identifier associated with a transport user from a identification item; and update a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle.

[0046] Preferably, the server updates the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by including the transport user onto a record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0047] Preferably, the server is configured to interact with the identification module, communication module and/or communication portals as hereinbefore described.

[0048] In another form the invention resides in a method for tracking transport users, the method including the steps of: retrieving an identifier associated with a transport user from an identification item associated with the transport user; receiving communication at a server regarding the identifier; and updating a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle.

[0049] Preferably, the step of updating the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle includes adding the transport user onto a record of transport users on the transport vehicle. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -10 - [0050] Preferably, the step of retrieving the identifier associated with the transport user includes bringing the identification item into proximity with an identification module. Preferably, the identification item is brought into proximity with the identification module when it is adjacent to the identification module.

[0051] Preferably, the step of retrieving the identifier associated with the transport user includes retrieving a radio wave, barcode and/or twodimensional barcode. Preferably, the two-dimensional barcode is in the form of a QR code.

[0052] Preferably, the step of updating the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle includes changing the status of the transport user on a predetermined record. Preferably, the step of updating the predetermined record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle includes changing the status associated with the transport user’s name. Preferably, the step of adding the transport user onto the record of transport users includes putting the transport user’s name onto the record of transport users.

[0053] Preferably, the method further includes sending a status update to a further user that the transport user is on the transport vehicle when receiving communication from a communication module at the server regarding the identifier.

[0054] Preferably, the method further includes communicating a location of the transport vehicle to the server. Preferably, in response to determining that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle at or near a predetermined pickup location, the method further includes sending a status update to the further user that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle. Preferably, in response to determining that the transport user is not on a predetermined transport vehicle, the method further includes sending a 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 11 - status update to the further user that the transport user is not on the predetermined transport vehicle.

[0055] Preferably, the method further includes determining whether the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle. Preferably, the step of determining whether the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle includes determining whether the transport user is included on the status record. In a further form, the step of determining whether the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle includes determining whether the transport user is on the transport record of the transport vehicle but not included on the predetermined record.

[0056] Preferably, in response to determining that the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle, the method further includes sending a status update to the further user that the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle. Preferably, in response to determining that the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle, the method further includes sending a status update to the transport user that they have boarded the incorrect transport vehicle.

[0057] Preferably, the method further includes recording a pickup location when the status record is updated to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle.

[0058] Preferably, in response to the server receiving communication regarding the identifier in a different location to the pickup location, the method further includes updating the status record to indicate that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle. In another form, when the transport vehicle reaches a predetermined destination, the method further includes updating the status record to indicate that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle. Preferably, the method further includes sending a status update to the further user when the transport user is at the different location to the pickup location and not on the transport vehicle. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 12 - [0059] Preferably, the method further includes uploading the transport user details through a registration portal. Preferably, the method further includes assigning the transport user details to the identifier. For example, whilst registering the transport user details through the registration portal, information is uploaded relating to the identification item. On the basis of the information upload relating to the identification item, characteristics of the identifier are retrieved and assigned to transport user details.

[0060] Preferably, the method further includes providing information regarding the transport user details, the status record and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle upon a request. Preferably, making the request requires a password. Preferably, the request is made through a carer’s portal, an institute portal and/or an emergency service portal. Preferably, one or more of the portals have a different level of access in providing information regarding the transport user details and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle.

[0061] Preferably, the method further includes providing a status update on whether the transport user is on the transport vehicle in response to an attendance request. Preferably, the attendance request is made through the carer’s portal, the institute portal and/or the emergency service portal.

[0062] Preferably, the method further includes providing an indication on the location of the transport vehicle in response to a location request. Preferably, the location request is made through the institute portal and/or the emergency service portal.

[0063] Preferably, the method further includes providing access to the status record to determine who is on the transport vehicle in response to an occupancy request. Preferably, the method further includes providing access to the record of transport users on the transport vehicle to determine who is on the transport vehicle in response to the occupancy request. Preferably, the 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 13 - occupancy request is made through the institute portal and/or the emergency service portal.

[0064] Preferably, the method further includes determining which transport user(s) are not present on the transport vehicle. Preferably, the step of determining which transport user(s) are not present on the transport vehicle includes determining which transport user(s) are listed as absent on the status record. Preferably, the step of determining which transport user(s) are not present on the transport vehicle includes comparing the record of transport users on the transport vehicle with the predetermined record.

[0065] Preferably, the method further includes uploading information relating to the transport user to the server. Preferably, the uploaded information is in the form of a progress record. Preferably, the method further includes accessing the progress record through the carer’s portal.

[0066] Preferably, the method further includes establishing an occupancy report. Preferably, the occupancy report is based on the status record. Preferably, the occupancy report is based on the record of transport users on the transport vehicle. Preferably, the occupancy report provides an indication of the number of transport users on the transport vehicle during a transport route in comparison to a total occupancy of the transport vehicle.

[0067] Preferably, the method further includes establishing a transport vehicle route report. Preferably, the transport vehicle route report is based on the location of the transport vehicle between a first location and a second location. Preferably, the vehicle route report includes an indication of time taken between the first location and the second location.

[0068] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 14-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tracking system, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 illustrates a method for tracking transport users with reference to figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tracking system 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. The tracking system 10 includes an identification item 20 associated with a transport user 30, an identification module 100 associated with a transport vehicle 40, a communication module 150 and a server 200.

[0071 ] The identification item 20 in this embodiment in the form of a Quick Response (QR) code. The QR code includes an identifier. The identifier is associated with the transport user 30. The transport user 30 is in the form of a school student in this embodiment. The identifier is retrieved from a matrix barcode within the QR code. The identifier is in the form of an ID number in this embodiment.

[0072] The identification module 100 is configured to retrieve the identifier from the identification item 20 when the identification item 20 is proximate thereto. That, is when the QR code is adjacent to the identification module 100, the identification module 100 retrieves the identifier. The identification module 100 is located within the transport vehicle 40. The transport vehicle 40 is in the form of a bus. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -15- [0073] The identification module 100 is configured to transmit the identifier to the server 200 via the communication module 150. However, it would be appreciated that the identification module 100 may be in direct communication with the server 200. The communication module 150 is in wireless communication with the server 200 and for security reasons the communication therebetween is typically encrypted.

[0074] The tracking system 10 further includes a location module 120. The location module 120 is configured to determine the location of the transport vehicle 40. This may be done through a variety of systems including, for example, GPS. The location module 120 is communication with the communication module 150 in this embodiment, which communicates the location of the transport vehicle 40 to the server 200. However, it would be appreciated that the location module 120 may be in direct communication with the server 200.

[0075] The server 200 is remotely located away from the transport vehicle 40. The server 200 is configured to receive communication from the communication module 150 regarding the identifier. In this regard, the communication module 100 passes on information regarding the ID number.

[0076] Based on the identifier, the server 200 is configured to update a status record to indicate that the transport user 30 is on the transport vehicle 40. In particular, the server 200 updates the status record to indicate that the transport user 30 is on the transport vehicle 40 by changing the status of the transport user on a predetermined record of transport users associated with the transport vehicle 40. Moreover, in this embodiment the server 200 is configured to retrieve a name of the transport user 30, on the basis of the identifier and transport user details associated with the identifier, to change the status associated with the transport user’s 30 name.

[0077] From the above, it would be appreciated that the server 200 may generate a record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 from the status associated with the transport user(s) 30. It would also be appreciated 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 16 - that the server 200 may update the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle 40 by simply including the transport user 30 on the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40.

[0078] The server 200 is also configured to update the status record to remove the transport user 30 when they bring their identification item 20 into proximity with the identification module 100 at a further time. Indeed, in response to the server 200 receiving communication regarding the identifier in a different location to a pickup location, as determined with the location module 120, the server 200 is configured to update the status record to indicate that the transport user 30 is not on the transport vehicle 40.

[0079] With the above in mind, the server 200 is configured to send a status update to a further user (e.g. a parent) that the transport user 30 has boarded the transport vehicle 40 when the communication regarding the identifier is received by the server 200 from the communication module 150. Furthermore, the server 200 is configured to send a status update to the further user (e.g. a parent) that the transport user 30 has left the transport vehicle 40 when the server 200 receives communication from communication module 150 regarding the identifier at the different location to the pickup location. The status update in this embodiment is in the form of a text message.

[0080] The server 200 includes a plurality of communication portals. As would be appreciated from below, the communication portals serve different interests and, therefore, different levels of access are given to the server 200, to obtain information about the transport user 30, depending on the communication portal. On this basis, the communication portals below typically require a password to login and obtain access to information relayed through the server 200.

[0081 ] One of the communication portals in the present embodiment is in the form of a registration portal 300. The transport user 30 or alike registers their transport user details through the registration portal 300. Moreover, to 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 17- establish a relationship between the transport user details and the identifier, the transport user 30 or alike uploads information relating to the identification item 20 through the registration portal 300 onto the server 200. The server 200 is configured to retrieve the identifier based on the information relating to the identification item 20 that is uploaded and, on this basis, assigns a relationship between the identifier and the transport users details.

[0082] Another communication portal is in the form of a co-ordinator portal 400. The co-ordinator portal 400 allows, through the server 200, the transport user 30 to be assigned to the predetermined record of transport users associated with the transport vehicle 40. The transport user 30 may also be assigned to a predetermined transport vehicle for different journeys and/or when multiple transport vehicles are in use. The predetermined record provides an indication of which transport users 30 should be travelling on the transport vehicle 40 or alike.

[0083] On this basis, in response to the server 200 determining that the transport user is not included on the status record (which is associated with the predetermined record), it is determined that the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle 40. Similarly, in response to the server 200 determining that the transport user 30 is on the transport record of the transport vehicle 40 but not included on the predetermined record, it is determined that the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle 40.

[0084] The server 200 is configured to send a status update to the further user (e.g. a parent) when the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle or has not boarded the transport vehicle 40. The transport user 30 may also be provided with a status update when the have boarded the incorrect transport vehicle.

[0085] The server 200 also includes a communication portal in the form of a carer’s portal 500. As would be appreciated, the carer’s portal allows a parent or alike to access the server 700 to obtain information relating to the 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 18- transport user 40 (i.e. their child). In this embodiment, the carer’s portal 500 provides, upon request to the server 200, a status update on i) whether the transport user 30 is on the transport vehicle 40 (i.e. boarded); ii) the location of the transport user 30; and/or iii) whether the transport user 30 has exited the transport vehicle 40. As also outlined below, further information may be accessed through the carer’s portal 500.

[0086] The server 200 also includes a communication portal in the form of an institute portal 600. The institute portal 600 is typically accessed by school staff associated with the transport user 30. In this embodiment, the institute portal 600 provides, upon request to the server 200, a status update on i) whether the transport user 30 is on the transport vehicle 40 (i.e. boarded); ii) the location of the transport vehicle 40; and/or iii) whether the transport user 30 has exited the transport vehicle 40.

[0087] Furthermore, the institute portal 600 allows, upon request to the server 200, access to the status record and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 to determine who is on the transport vehicle. In this regard, the institute portal 600 also allows, upon request to the server 200, a report of which transport user(s) are not present on the transport vehicle 40, as established from status record and/or comparing the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 with the predetermined record.

[0088] The institute portal 600 also allows information relating to the transport user 30 to be uploaded to the server 200. For example, a progress record in the form of a school report may be uploaded onto the server 200 regarding the transport user 30. The progress record may be accessed through the carer’s portal 500 once it is uploaded through the institute portal 600.

[0089] The server 200 also includes a communication portal in the form of a status report portal 700. The status report portal 700 is typically used by government officials, who fund the transport vehicle 40, and require reports on 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 - 19 - the usage and efficiency of the transport vehicle 40 to determine the allocation of their funds.

[0090] The status report portal 700 allows, upon request to server 200, access to an occupancy report. To determine the occupancy report, the server 200 retrieves the status record and/or the record of transport users to determine the number of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 during a transport route in comparison to the total occupancy of the transport vehicle 40.

[0091] The status report portal 700 also allows, upon request to server 200, access to a transport vehicle route report. To determine the transport vehicle route report, the server retrieves previous vehicle routes of the transport vehicle 40 and provides an indication of time taken along one or more parts of the transport vehicle routes.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the server 200 also includes a communication portal in the form of emergency portal 800. The emergency portal 800 is typically accessed by emergency services during an emergency event. The emergency portal 800 allows, upon request to the server 200, access to status record and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40. The emergency portal 800 also allows the location of the transport vehicle 40 to be determined upon request to the server 200.

[0093] Figure 2 illustrates a method 1000 for tracking transport users with reference to figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0094] At step 1100, the transport user 30 or alike registers their transport user details through the registration portal 300.

[0095] At step 1200, the transport user 30 or alike also uploads information relating to the identification item 20 through the registration portal 300 onto the server 200. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -20- [0096] At step 1300, the server 200 is configured to retrieve an identifier based on the information relating to the identification item 20 that is uploaded and, on this basis, assigns a relationship between the identifier and the transport users details.

[0097] At step 1400, the transport user details are reviewed through the co-ordinator portal 400 and the transport user 30 is assigned to a predetermined record of the transport vehicle 40. Similar, the transport user 30 may be assigned to a predetermined transport vehicle. The transport user details typically include which institution (i.e. school) they attend and their residential location in order to establish which transport vehicle 40 they are required to board in order to reach their institution (i.e. school). In this regard, a predetermined location may also be determined wherein the transport user 30 should be in attendance on the transport vehicle 40.

[0098] At step 1500, the transport user 30 boards the transport vehicle 40 and brings the identification item 20 (i.e. QR code) into proximity with the identification module 100. The identification module 100 retrieves the identifier from the identification item 20 and, via the communication module 150, communicates information related to the identifier to the server 200. In response to the transport user 30 not boarding the transport vehicle at or near the predetermined location, the server 200 sends a status update to a further user (e.g. a parent, school etc.) informing them that the transport user 30 has not boarded the transport vehicle 40.

[0099] At step 1600, in response to receiving the identifier, the server 200 updates a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle. In particular, the step of updating the status report to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle includes changing the status of the transport user on the predetermined record. The step of updating the status report to indicate that the transport user 30 is on the transport vehicle 40 may also include, either directly or indirectly, adding the transport user 30 onto a record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -21 - [00100] In this regard, at this step, it may be determined whether the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle. Indeed, the step of determining whether the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle 40 includes determining whether the transport user 30 is included on the status record. Similarly, the step of determining whether the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle may include determining whether the transport user 30 is on the transport record of the transport vehicle 40 but not included on the predetermined transport record.

[00101 ] In response to determining that the transport user 30 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle 40, a status update is sent to the further user (e.g. the parent or school etc.) noting that the transport user 40 has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle. A status update may also be sent to the transport user 30 that they have boarded the incorrect transport vehicle 40.

[00102] At step 1700, as the transport vehicle 40 travels to the transport user’s 20 predetermined destination (e.g. their school, home etc.), an attendance request may be made through the server 200 to determine whether the transport user 30 boarded the transport vehicle. The attendance request may be made through the carer’s portal 500, the institute portal 700 and/or the emergency service portal 800. Similarly, to determine who and/or how many transport users are on the transport vehicle 40, an occupancy request may be made through the server 200. The occupancy request is made through the institute portal 700 and/or the emergency service portal 800.

[00103] With the above in mind, a location request may also be made through the server to determine the location of the transport vehicle 40 and/or transport user 30. The location request is made through the carer’s portal 500, the institute portal 700 and/or the emergency service portal 800. Locations of the transport vehicle 40 are also recorded through the server 200 for future reference and reports, as outlined below. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -22- [00104] At step 1800, as the transport user 30 exits the transport vehicle 40 at their predetermined destination, they bring their identification item 20 into proximity with the identification module 100. The identification module 100 receives the identifier from the identification item 20 and, via the communication module 150, communicates information regarding the identifier to the sever 200. In response to receiving this information regarding the identifier, the server 200 updates the status record to indicate that the transport user 30 is not on the transport vehicle 40. The server 200 makes this update on the basis that the predetermined destination is different to the pick-up location and, therefore, the transport user 30 has not simply registered the identification device 20 twice whilst boarding the transport vehicle 40. Furthermore, a status update is sent to the further user that the transport user 30 has left the transport vehicle 40.

[00105] At step 1900, a request is made through the institute portal 700 to determine which transport user(s) were not present on the transport vehicle 40, as established from the status record and/or comparing the record of transport users on the transport vehicle with the predetermined record. On this basis, the server 200 may return a record of which transport user(s) were not present on the transport vehicle 40 and/or which transport user(s) arrived at the predetermined destination. This assists in determining what transport users have boarded the transport vehicle 40 but not have arrived at, for example, a class within the institution.

[00106] At step 2000, information relating to the transport user 40 is uploaded to the sever 200 through the institute portal 600. The uploaded information is in the form of a school report. In this regard, a parent or alike can then access the school report through the carer’s portal 500. It would be appreciated that this step, like other steps in the present embodiment, may be undertaken at various times.

[00107] At step 2100, an occupancy report and vehicle route report may be established from information conveyed and/or stored through the sever 200. 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -23-

The occupancy report requires the sever 200 to retrieve the status record and/or the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 over a period of time. From either of these records and the total occupancy of the transport vehicle 40, the number of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 during a transport route may be established and, therefore, it can be determine how effectively the transport vehicle 40 is being used in terms of occupancy.

[00108] The vehicle route report requires the sever 200 to retrieve a record of the transport vehicle 40 locations over a period of time. In this regard, the transport vehicle route report is based on the location of the transport vehicle 40 between, for example, a first location and a second location. The vehicle route report includes an indication of time taken between the first location and the second location and, therefore, the efficiency of the transport route taken by the transport vehicle 40 may be established.

[00109] The tracking system 10 and method 1000 allows a number of users (e.g. parents, teachers, emergency services) to see whether the transport user 30 has boarded the transport vehicle 40 in live time. With this in mind, notifications are sent by the server 200 to the further users when the transport user 30 has not boarded the transport vehicle 40, as intended, or has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle 40. In certain situations, this may assist in the transport user’s 30 safety and provide reassurance for the further user.

[00110] Furthermore, the status record and the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 provides an indication of how many people are on the transport vehicle 40 and their identity. This assists emergency services when, for example, the transport vehicle is involved in an accident. Moreover, as the system 10 and method 1000 provide an indication on the location of the transport vehicle 40, emergency services can be effectively dispatched to the transport vehicle 40 in the event of an accident.

[00111] In addition, the status record and the record of transport users on the transport vehicle 40 also assists in determining which transport users 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -24- arrive at the predetermined destination (i.e. the school) but may not have attended, for instance, a school class.

[00112] The tracking system 10 and method 1000 also allows the sharing of data about the transport user 30 between, for example, the carer’s portal 500 and the institution portal 600. Accordingly, information in the form of school reports may be easily shared between parents and teachers.

[00113] The occupancy report and vehicle route report also assist governments, who fund the transport vehicle 40, in determining whether the allocation of their funds is being effectively spent.

[00114] Furthermore, the tracking system 10 and method 1000 are more accurate and less time consuming than manual type recording.

[00115] Moreover, whilst the system 10 and method 1000 above have been described with reference to students travelling to and from school in the above embodiment, it would be appreciated that the system 10 and method 1000 may be applied in various other applications including, for example, students on excursions or tourists on sightseeing trips.

[00116] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[00117] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments 2721091v1 2016203335 23 May 2016 -25- have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[00118] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. 2721091v1

Claims (20)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A tracking system, the system including: an identification item associated with a transport user; an identification module associated with a transport vehicle, the identification module configured to retrieve an identifier associated with the transport user from the identification item; and a server configured to: receive communication regarding the identifier; and update a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the identifier associated with the transport user includes an identifying signal.
3. 3. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the identification module is configured to retrieve the identifier associated with the transport user when the identification item is proximate thereto.
4. 4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the status record includes a predetermined record of transport users associated with the transport vehicle.
5. 5. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein as part of updating the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle, the server is configured to retrieve transport user details related to the transport user.
6. 6. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the server updates the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by including the transport user onto a record of transport users on the transport vehicle.
7. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the server updates the status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle by including the transport user’s name onto the record of transport users on the transport vehicle.
8. 8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the record of transport users includes the names of all transport users presently on the transport vehicle.
9. 9. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the server is configured to send a status update to a further user that the transport user is on the transport vehicle when the server receives communication regarding the identifier.
10. 10. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in response to the server determining that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle at or near a predetermined pickup location, it is determined that the transport user has not boarded the transport vehicle.
11. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the server is configured to send a status update to a further user when the transport user has not boarded transport vehicle at or near the predetermined pickup location.
12. 12. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in response to the server determining that the transport user is not included on the status record, it is determined that the transport user has boarded the incorrect transport vehicle or not boarded an identified transport vehicle.
13. 13. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system includes a location module.
14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein when the transport vehicle reaches a predetermined destination, as determined with the location module, the server is configured to update the status record to indicate that the transport user is not on the transport vehicle.
15. 15. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the server includes a plurality of communication portals that allow a plurality of users to access the status record.
16. 16. A method for tracking transport users, the method including the steps of: retrieving an identifier associated with a transport user from an identification item associated with the transport user; receiving communication at a server regarding the identifier; and updating a status record to indicate that the transport user is on the transport vehicle.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of retrieving the identifier associated with the transport user includes retrieving a radio wave, barcode and/or two-dimensional barcode.
18. 18. The method of claims 16 or 17, wherein the method further includes sending a status update to a further user that the transport user is on the transport vehicle when receiving communication from a communication module at the server regarding the identifier.
19. 19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the method further includes communicating a location of the transport vehicle to the server.
20. 20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the method further includes establishing an occupancy report, based on the status record, to provide an indication of the number of transport users on the transport vehicle during a transport route in comparison to a total occupancy of the transport vehicle.