Method for providing a searchable, comprehensive database of proposed rides

• US 20090049044A1
• Filed: 08/13/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clyde Mitchell
• Original Assignee: Clyde Mitchell
• Inventors: Mitchell, Clyde
• Granted Patent: US 9,111,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/29 characterised by micropayments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

A method is disclosed that matches travelers for ride sharing according to personal preferences, such as smoking, music, allergies, drive sharing, expense sharing, number of riders, and gender, as well as basic trip details. In preferred embodiments the method is accessed via a website, and trips can be over any distance and/or by any land, air, or water vehicle. Embodiments require traveler verification by a payment and/or other means, and/or require travelers to supply identifying information. Matches can take into account ratings of travelers by other travelers. Confirmations, reminders, and ride sharing advice can be sent to riders before scheduled rides, and information about a shared ride can be sent to a non-rider. Fees can be charged, and credited if no match is accepted. Communications can be secure and requesting and/or accepting matches can be logged. Origin and/or destination radii can be automatically enlarged to provide more matches.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method for identifying ride sharing matches for travelers, each ride sharing match matching at least two travelers, the method comprising:

establishing a database on a server, the database being capable of containing ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences;

providing to travelers access to the database;

accepting from the travelers ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences;

Identifying a ride sharing match based on the ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences; and

providing to all travelers matched by the ride sharing match access to information regarding the ride sharing match.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

verifying the identity of a traveler before at least one of;

accepting from the traveler ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences; and

identifying a ride sharing match for the traveler.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein verifying the identity of the traveler includes at least one of:

accepting from the traveler a user ID and a password, at least one of the user ID and the password being provided by the traveler using one of a computer, a wireless access device, and other communication devices; and

receiving a payment, so as to establish the identity of at least someone associated with the traveler who is at least able to make payments.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising obtaining identifying information from a traveler before at least one of:

accepting from the traveler ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences; and

identifying a ride sharing match for the traveler,

at least some of the identifying information being usable by other travelers to verify the identity of the traveler.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the identifying information includes at least one of:

personal information, including at least one of an address, a telephone number, an email address, a date of birth, a gender, a driver'"'"'s license number, a driver'"'"'s license state of issue, and other personal information;

vehicle information, including at least one of a vehicle make, a vehicle model, a vehicle year of manufacture, a vehicle license plate number, a vehicle registration, a vehicle owner name, a vehicle color, a description of vehicle condition, and other vehicle information; and

student information, including at least one of a student ID number, a name of a college attended by the traveler, a name of a college campus attended by the traveler, and other student information.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

accepting from travelers rating information pertaining to other travelers based on ride sharing experiences.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising at least one of:

providing to a first traveler rating information pertaining to a second traveler who is matched by a ride sharing match with the first traveler;

identifying ride sharing matches taking into account rating information that pertains to travelers; and

accepting from a first traveler a personal ride sharing preference regarding rating information, so as to avoid matching the first traveler with a second traveler if rating information pertaining to the second traveler does not satisfy the personal ride sharing preference of the first traveler.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from a traveler can include at least one of:

a ride requirement that the number of travelers matched by a ride sharing match must not exceed a maximum capacity of a vehicle; and

a ride sharing preference regarding the number of riders that share a ride.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein ride requirements and ride sharing preferences accepted from a traveler can include:

ride requirements and ride sharing preferences for a first ride from an origin to a destination; and

ride requirements and ride sharing preferences for a second ride from the destination back to the origin.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising, upon acceptance of a ride sharing match by at least two matched travelers, at least one of:

providing notice of acceptance of the ride sharing match to all travelers who have accepted the ride sharing match;

providing suggestions regarding practical issues of ride sharing to all travelers who have accepted the ride sharing match; and

providing information regarding the ride sharing match to someone not matched by the ride sharing match upon request of a traveler who has accepted the ride sharing match.

31. The method of claim 21, further comprising sending reminders to travelers who have accepted a ride sharing match, the reminders being sent at specified intervals of time in advance of an agreed upon date and time for a shared ride.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the specified intervals of time include at least one of a day and a week.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from a traveler are considered at specified time intervals together with ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from other travelers, so as to identify ride sharing matches at the specified time intervals.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one of a communication between a traveler and the database and between a first traveler and a second traveler includes a communication that is a secure communication.

35. The method of claim 21, further comprising maintaining a record of at least one of:

ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from a traveler;

identified ride sharing matches; and

acceptances by a traveler of ride sharing matches.

36. The method of claim 21, wherein ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from travelers can include at least one of:

a ride requirement regarding the use of at least one of a ground vehicle, an aircraft, a water vessel and other vehicles; and

a personal ride sharing preference regarding the use of at least one of a ground vehicle, an aircraft, a water vessel and other vehicles.

37. The method of claim 21, wherein ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from travelers can include at least one of:

a ride requirement for a ride over any desired distance; and

a personal ride sharing preference for a ride over any desired distance.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein identifying a ride sharing match includes calculating a radius about at least one of a departure point and a destination point.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein at least one of the calculated radii is automatically enlarged until a specified minimum number of ride sharing matches is identified.

40. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing information to a first traveler regarding ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from a second traveler when a possible ride sharing match has been identified based on ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from the first traveler and the ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from the second traveler.

41. The method of claim 21, further comprising requiring payment by a traveler of at least one fee so as to use the method.

42. The method of claim 21, further comprising crediting to a traveler at least part of a fee paid by the traveler if use of the method by the traveler does not result in acceptance of a minimum number of ride sharing matches.

43. The method of claim 21, wherein ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences accepted from a traveler can be changed at any time before a ride sharing match based on the ride requirements and personal ride sharing preferences is accepted by the traveler and by at least one other traveler.

44. The method of claim 21, wherein personal ride sharing preferences of a traveler can include at least one of an expense sharing preference, a gender preference, a departure time preference, a pick up location preference, a drop off location preference, a music preference, an allergy avoidance preference, a preference for accommodating disabilities, a pet related preference, and a preference for accommodating special needs.

45. The method of claim 21, wherein access to the database is provided to travelers through a website.