Systems and Methods for Coordinating Transportation Between Riders and Volunteer Drivers

• US 20090083111A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bob Carr
• Original Assignee: Bob Carr
• Inventors: Carr, Bob
• Application Number:
  US11/859,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0279 Fundraising management

Abstract

A method for facilitating the matching of riders and volunteer drivers where a transportation request is communicated by or on behalf of one or more riders to one or more potential volunteer drivers who are selected from a pool of potential volunteer drivers, and where the selected potential volunteer drivers may either accept or decline the transportation request.

Claims

1. A method for coordinating transportation, comprising:

maintaining a database of driver information for a pool of potential drivers, wherein the potential drivers are volunteer drivers who have volunteered to provide rides without monetary compensation;

receiving a transportation rider request, the request associated with a rider transportation opportunity that requests a driver to transport a rider;

determining a subset of one or more drivers of the pool of potential drivers based at least in part on the potential driver information and the transportation rider request;

communicating to each of the subset of one or more drivers the transportation opportunity such that each driver in the subset may optionally accept or deny the transportation opportunity;

receiving an acceptance of the transportation opportunity from an accepting driver of the subset of one or more drivers; and

confirming the transportation arrangement by notifying the rider and the accepting driver.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a unique transportation opportunity verification code.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising communicating the transportation opportunity verification code to the rider.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising communicating the transportation opportunity verification code to the accepting driver.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportation request is made by the rider.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising tracking transportation segments.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising confirming completion of the transportation opportunity.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential driver information includes one or more of personal ID information, vehicle information, preferred trip time information, preferred trip location information, preferred rider information, typical route information, contact method information, current availability information, current location information, or sponsorship information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential driver information includes sponsorship information indicating an exclusive destination for the driver.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential driver information comprises a dynamic profile reflecting current availability of the driver.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dynamic profile reflects a current position of the driver.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the dynamic profile is based on a schedule for the driver.

13. A method for coordinating transportation, comprising:

receiving a transportation request, the request associated with a transportation opportunity that requests a driver to transport a rider;

requesting one or more drivers to accept or decline the transportation opportunity;

receiving an acceptance of the transportation opportunity from an accepting driver;

confirming the transportation arrangement by notifying the rider and the accepting driver;

generating a unique transportation opportunity verification code; and

communicating the transportation opportunity verification code to the rider and accepting driver.

14. A method for coordinating transportation between at least one rider and a volunteer driver, comprising:

determining a pool of potential volunteer drivers;

maintaining a database of potential volunteer driver information;

receiving a transportation request from a rider;

defining a transportation opportunity based on the transportation request;

determining a subset of the pool of potential volunteer drivers based at least in part on the potential volunteer driver information;

communicating the transportation opportunity to the subset of potential volunteer drivers who may optionally accept or decline the transportation opportunity;

receiving an acceptance of the transportation opportunity from a member of the subset of potential volunteer drivers;

generating a unique transportation opportunity verification code;

communicating the transportation opportunity verification code separately to the rider and the member of the subset of potential volunteer drivers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein information about the pool of potential drivers includes one or more of a driver'"'"'s driving record, age, gender, vehicle make and model, current location, preferences regarding travel to particular destinations, or preferences regarding particular times and dates of travel.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the request information includes one or more of time of day during which travel is desired, a desired pick-up and drop-off location, a needed wait time prior to a return trip, or special vehicle needs.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the communication link between the one or more of the plurality of drivers and the one or more passengers is via one or more of telephone, text messaging, Internet, e-mail, instant messaging, or pager.

18. A method for coordinating a volunteer activity, comprising:

maintaining a database of volunteer information for a pool of potential volunteers;

receiving a volunteer-activity request from a person-in-need, the request associated with a volunteer opportunity that requests a volunteer to assist the person-in-need;

determining a subset of one or more potential volunteers within the pool of volunteers based at least in part on the volunteer information and the volunteer-activity request;

requesting each of the subset of one or more volunteers to accept or decline the volunteer opportunity;

receiving an acceptance of the transportation opportunity from an accepting volunteer of the subset of one or more volunteers; and

confirming the volunteer arrangement by notifying the person-in-need and the accepting volunteer.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising generating a unique volunteer opportunity verification code.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising communicating the volunteer opportunity verification code to the person-in-need.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising communicating the volunteer opportunity verification code to the accepting volunteer.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the volunteer-activity request is made by the person-in-need.