System and method for providing passenger security and convenience in a public transportation terminal

摘要

System and method for enhanced security and passenger convenience in a transportation terminal (10). Passengers carry an intelligent IEBP (53). The IEBP (53) is a portable electronic handset receiving optically transmitted positioning data and other information via artificial light sources (28) which optically transmit data (52), as well as provide conventional lighting. The IEBP devices (53) may guide passengers inside the terminal and inform them about delayed/missed flights or changes of schedule. To enhance security, the IEBP devices (53) track the location of passengers throughout the transportation terminal (10). The IEBP device (53) determines if the passenger is still carrying it and/or has entered an incorrect or unauthorized area The IEBP device (53) then generates a radio frequency signal (59) to a central monitoring station (56) warning appropriate authorities of the security violation, and may also indicate the violation to the passenger carrying the device.