On-demand transportation system
First Claim
1. An on-demand transportation system for use in scheduling at least one of passenger or package transportation, comprising:
- a user system for scheduling the at least one of passenger or package transportation, the user system having a communications device capable of communication;
a vehicle having a vehicle user for providing the at least one of passenger or package transportation, the vehicle comprising a communications device for transmitting and receiving information, a user interface for allowing the vehicle user to perform various interactive functions, and a processing system having a processor, a memory, and a database for controlling vehicle system components;
a server maintaining information on logistical and geographic features of the area for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered, information on the location, capacity, and availability of the vehicle to transport the at least one of passenger or package, and information on current and historical traffic conditions along possible routes of travel for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered; and
a data channel providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The transportation system and method includes a server in communication with a user and a vehicle via a wired or wireless data channel. The user provides the server with transportation request information, and requests transportation options from the server. The user may seek transportation either for a passenger or for a package or other item to be transported for delivery to a specified destination. The server evaluates the transportation request information provided by the user and determines transportation options, including available routes of travel (times, paths, etc.) and the charges associated with the various available routes of travel. The server notifies the user of transportation options, including available routes of travel and associated charges. The user selects one of the transportation options and requests transportation according to the specified travel parameters. The server books the requested transportation and notifies the transporting vehicle of the new transportation assignment.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An on-demand transportation system for use in scheduling at least one of passenger or package transportation, comprising:
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a user system for scheduling the at least one of passenger or package transportation, the user system having a communications device capable of communication;
a vehicle having a vehicle user for providing the at least one of passenger or package transportation, the vehicle comprising a communications device for transmitting and receiving information, a user interface for allowing the vehicle user to perform various interactive functions, and a processing system having a processor, a memory, and a database for controlling vehicle system components;
a server maintaining information on logistical and geographic features of the area for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered, information on the location, capacity, and availability of the vehicle to transport the at least one of passenger or package, and information on current and historical traffic conditions along possible routes of travel for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered; and
a data channel providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An on-demand transportation system for use in scheduling at least one of passenger or package transportation, comprising:
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a means for scheduling the at least one of passenger or package transportation, the means having a communications device capable of communication;
a transportation means for providing the at least one of passenger or package transportation, the means comprising a communications device for transmitting and receiving information, and a processing system having a processor, a memory, and a database for controlling vehicle system components;
a means for maintaining information on at least one of logistical and geographic features of the area for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered, information on the location, capacity, and availability of transportation means to transport the at least one of passenger or package, and information on current and historical traffic conditions along possible routes of travel for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered; and
a means for providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for scheduling at least one of passenger or package transportation in an on-demand transportation system, the on-demand transportation system having a user system for scheduling the at least one of passenger or package transportation capable of communication, a vehicle having a vehicle user for providing the at least one of passenger or package transportation and capable of transmitting and receiving information, a server maintaining information relevant to the at least one of passenger or package transportation, and a data channel providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server, the method comprising:
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requesting transportation information from the server for the at least one of passenger or package transportation via the data channel, the request including transportation request information;
evaluating the transportation request information to determine transportation options, including available routes of travel and costs associated with transporting the at least one of passenger or package;
notifying the user system of transportation options via the data channel;
selecting transportation according to at least one of the transportation options; and
scheduling transportation for the at least one of passenger or package according to the at least one of the selected transportation options. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for scheduling at least one of passenger or package transportation in an on-demand transportation system, the on-demand transportation system having a user system for scheduling the at least one of passenger or package transportation capable of communication, a vehicle for providing the at least one of passenger or package transportation and capable of transmitting and receiving information, a server maintaining information relevant to the at least one of passenger or package transportation, and a data channel providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server, comprising:
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receiving transportation request information from the user system for the at least one of passenger or package transportation via the data channel;
determining routes of transportation for the at least one of passenger or package transportation;
calculating charges associated with routes for the at least one of passenger or package transportation;
notifying the user system of transportation options via the data channel;
if user system selects a transportation option, selecting transportation according to the selected transportation option;
scheduling transportation for the at least one of passenger or package according to the selected transportation option; and
updating the server with information on the selected transportation option. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for scheduling delivery of goods to a passenger in an on-demand transportation system, the on-demand transportation system having at least one vehicle for providing passenger and goods transportation along a travel route and a server maintaining information relevant to passenger and goods transportation, the method comprising:
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ordering goods for the passenger from a participating retailer;
submitting passenger goods to the on-demand transportation system;
determining the passenger'"'"'s scheduled transportation route in the on-demand transportation system;
associating passenger goods with the passenger'"'"'s scheduled transportation route in the on-demand transportation system; and
transferring passenger goods to a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system that is scheduled to transport the passenger along the passenger'"'"'s scheduled transportation route. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for scheduling service for a service item to be delivered to a passenger in an on-demand transportation system, the on-demand transportation system having at least one vehicle for providing passenger and service item transportation along a travel route and a server maintaining information relevant to passenger and service item transportation, the method comprising:
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submitting a service item needing service from a service provider to the on-demand transportation system;
transferring the service item to the service provider;
receiving the serviced item from the service provider at the on-demand transportation system;
determining the passenger'"'"'s scheduled transportation route in the on-demand transportation system;
associating serviced item with the passenger'"'"'s scheduled transportation route in the on-demand transportation system; and
transferring passenger goods to a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system that is scheduled to transport the passenger along the passenger'"'"'s scheduled transportation route. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for sending and receiving a package delivery in an on-demand transportation system, the on-demand transportation system having at least one user system capable of communication for use by at least one of a sender and a receiver in scheduling package pickup and delivery, at least one vehicle capable of transmitting and receiving information for providing package transportation along a travel route, a server maintaining information relevant to package delivery, and a data channel providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server, the method comprising:
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submitting package delivery request information from the sender to the server;
evaluating the delivery request information to determine delivery options, including available pickup routes and delivery routes, and pickup location and delivery location;
notifying the sender of delivery options via the data channel and user system;
selecting delivery according to at least one of the delivery options;
scheduling delivery of the package according to the at least one of the selected delivery options;
notifying the sender via the data channel and a user system of the imminent arrival of a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system at the pickup location along a pickup route;
receiving the package from the sender at the vehicle in the on-demand transportation system at the pickup location along the pickup route;
transferring the package to a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system that is scheduled to transport the package along the delivery route;
notifying the receiver via the data channel and a user system of the scheduled delivery of the package by a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system at the delivery location along the delivery route; and
delivering package to receiver at the delivery location along the delivery route. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for scheduling delivery of a package to a passenger in an on-demand transportation system, the on-demand transportation system having at least one user system for use by a delivery requester in scheduling package delivery, at least one vehicle for providing passenger and package transportation along a travel route, a server maintaining information relevant to passenger transportation and package delivery, and a data channel providing communication among the user system, vehicle, and server, comprising:
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receiving a package delivery request for delivery of a package to a passenger in the on-demand transportation system from the requester, the request including requester identification information and passenger identification information;
evaluating the package delivery request to determine delivery options, including availability of the passenger in the on-demand transportation system, available pickup routes and passenger route, and pickup location;
if the passenger in the on-demand transportation system is unavailable to receive the delivery, notifying the requester of the passenger unavailability;
determining at the server if the requester has previously been authorized by the passenger to make the delivery;
if the requester is not authorized by the passenger to make the delivery, contacting the passenger regarding authorizing the requester to make the delivery;
if the passenger authorizes delivery of the package, notifying the requester via the data channel and user system of delivery options;
selecting delivery according to at least one of the delivery options;
receiving the package from the requester at a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system at the pickup location along the pickup route;
transferring the package to a vehicle in the on-demand transportation system that is scheduled to transport the package along the passenger route; and
delivering package to passenger along the passenger route. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method for calculating charges associated with transportation of at least one of a passenger or package in an on-demand transportation system having a user system for scheduling the at least one of passenger or package transportation, a vehicle having a vehicle user for providing the at least one of passenger or package transportation, and a server maintaining information on logistical and geographic features of the area for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered, the method comprising:
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receiving the scheduled passenger or package transportation request from the user system;
evaluating information maintained by the server on the logistical and geographic features of the area for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered;
determining the location, capacity, and availability of the vehicle to transport the at least one of passenger or package;
anticipating traffic conditions in the area for which transportation of the at least one of passenger or package is offered based on current and historical traffic conditions maintained by the server; and
calculating charges associated with the transportation of at least one of a passenger or package according to at least one of the logistical and geographic features of the area for which transportation is offered, location, capacity, and availability of the vehicle, and anticipated traffic conditions.
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Specification