Engine for finding train and airplane transfer sequences

摘要

The engine for finding train and airplane transfer sequences is the key component of Toshiba's route guidance service, which is one of the main services of the "Ekimae-Tanken Club", Internet-based navigation service for train passengers. The route guidance service, based on actual timetable and operation data, was realized by Toshiba for the first time in Japan in May 1997. The service provides practical guidance on the optimum course to be taken, covering the nationwide railway network consisting of about 500 lines and 9,000 stations as well as the main air routes in Japan. Timetable information is constantly updated and users can obtain the latest data from the day on which any change occurs. To support this service, Toshiba has developed an original engine which is designed as a module that is independent from applications. We have defined a route guidance application program interface (API) to enable flexible services, such as support for various types of terminals (PCs, mobile phones, etc.) and supply of application service provider (ASP) service. The output of this engine is in the form of Extensible Markup Language (XML), allowing further extension.