System and method for ride matching
First Claim
1. A method of matching users with similar travel requirements to facilitate ridesharing, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a start location SL for a user based on cross-streets,receiving a destination location DL for the user based on cross-streets,receiving a start time ST for the user;
receiving an arrival time AT for the user;
receiving a listing preference for the user, wherein the listing preference indicates whether time or distance is a more important factor for the user;
converting the received cross-streets for the start location SL for the user and the destination location DL for the user to latitude and longitude values;
comparing the converted start location SL for the user with the converted start locations of other users stored in a database;
comparing the converted destination location DL for the user with the converted destination locations of other users stored in the database;
comparing the start time ST for the user with the start times of other users stored in the database;
comparing the arrival time AT for the user with the arrival times of other users stored in the database;
matching the other users stored in the database with the user based on the steps of comparing the start locations, comparing the destination locations, comparing the start times, and comparing the arrival times;
presenting the user with alias information regarding the matched users in the database, wherein the matched users are listed in an order of priority based upon the received listing preference, wherein more weight is given to distance when the received listing preference indicates distance as a more important factor for the user, and more weight is given to time when the received listing preference indicates time as a more important factor for the user;
providing the user with access to the matched users with the alias information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Users are matched for ridesharing based on where they are from (origin), where they are going (destination), when they are traveling (time), and how often (frequency). Other commuting preferences may also be considered. Geographic matching is based on cross-streets rather than exact street addresses. Locations are geocoded for latitude and longitude. The other users stored in the database are matched with the user by comparing the user'"'"'s data with the other user'"'"'s data stored in a database. The user is presented with alias information regarding the matched users in the database for ridesharing. The order in which the matched users are presented may be weighed towards distance or time. Along with the alias information, ratings of these matched users can be displayed. The rating of a user is based on the past impressions of the rated user by other users.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of matching users with similar travel requirements to facilitate ridesharing, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a start location SL for a user based on cross-streets, receiving a destination location DL for the user based on cross-streets, receiving a start time ST for the user; receiving an arrival time AT for the user; receiving a listing preference for the user, wherein the listing preference indicates whether time or distance is a more important factor for the user; converting the received cross-streets for the start location SL for the user and the destination location DL for the user to latitude and longitude values; comparing the converted start location SL for the user with the converted start locations of other users stored in a database; comparing the converted destination location DL for the user with the converted destination locations of other users stored in the database; comparing the start time ST for the user with the start times of other users stored in the database; comparing the arrival time AT for the user with the arrival times of other users stored in the database; matching the other users stored in the database with the user based on the steps of comparing the start locations, comparing the destination locations, comparing the start times, and comparing the arrival times; presenting the user with alias information regarding the matched users in the database, wherein the matched users are listed in an order of priority based upon the received listing preference, wherein more weight is given to distance when the received listing preference indicates distance as a more important factor for the user, and more weight is given to time when the received listing preference indicates time as a more important factor for the user; providing the user with access to the matched users with the alias information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of matching users with similar travel requirements to facilitate ridesharing, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a start location SL for a user based on cross-streets, receiving a destination location DL for the user based on cross-streets, receiving a start time ST for the user; receiving an arrival time AT for the user; converting the received cross-streets for the start location SL for the user and the destination location DL for the user to latitude and longitude values; comparing the converted start location SL for the user with the converted start locations of other users stored in a database; comparing the converted destination location DL for the user with the converted destination locations of other users stored in the database; comparing the start time ST for the user with the start times of other users stored in the database; comparing the arrival time AT for the user with the arrival times of other users stored in the database; matching the other users stored in the database with the user based on the steps of comparing the start locations, comparing the destination locations, comparing the start times, and comparing the arrival times; presenting the user with alias information regarding the matched users in the database as a result from the step of matching, and ratings for the matched users, wherein the rating of the matched user is based on feedback from a peer user regarding the past performance of the matched user; providing the user with access to the other users with the alias information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of matching users with similar travel requirements to facilitate ridesharing, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a start location SL for a user based on cross-streets, receiving a travel limit TL for the user; converting the received cross-streets for the start location SL for the user to latitude and longitude values; comparing the converted start location SL for the user with the converted start locations of other users stored in a database; determining whether the converted destination locations of other users stored in the database are within the distance defined by the travel limit TL; matching the other users stored in the database with the user based on the steps of comparing and determining; presenting the user with alias information regarding the matched users in the database; providing the user with access to the matched users with the alias information. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification