TAXI DISPATCH SYSTEM

• US 20120130627A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mohammad R. Islam, Rakibul Islam
• Original Assignee: Mohammad R. Islam, Rakibul Islam
• Inventors: Islam, Mohammad R., Islam, Rakibul
• Application Number:
  US12/953,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20120130627A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

A system, method and computer program are provided for dispatching taxis. A list of the closest, available taxis is sent to a customer. The customer selects at least one taxi in the list that is to receive a travel request. After one of the taxis has accepted the travel request, a display is provided which indicates the location of the customer and the location of a taxi which has accepted the travel request. Updated location information is periodically submitted to determine updated locations for the customer and taxi throughout the pendency of the travel request.

Claims

1. A method for dispatching taxis, comprising:

sending a list of taxis to a customer;

selecting at least one taxi from the list that is to receive a travel request;

providing a display which indicates a location of the customer and a location of a taxi which has accepted the travel request; and

updating location information of the customer and taxi during pendency of the accepted travel request.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the location of the customer and the location of the taxi on the display using the updated location information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising initially determining whether a travel request from a previous session is pending for a user.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering a pickup address for the customer, wherein the list sent to the customer comprises a predetermined number of available taxis which are closest in proximity to the pickup address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the list comprises a predetermined number of available taxis which are closest in proximity to a pickup address which has been submitted by the customer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a request ID is assigned to the travel request to permit users to query a server for details about the travel request.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a display involves providing an interactive map which indicates the location of the both the customer and the taxi.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing taxis with a list of travel requests which have been submitted by customers.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising updating the location of the customer and the location of the taxi on the display using the updated location information.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising initially determining whether a travel request from a previous session is pending for a user.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising entering a pickup address for the customer, wherein the list sent to the customer comprises a predetermined number of available taxis which are closest in proximity to the pickup address.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein a request ID is assigned to the travel request to permit users to query a server for details about the travel request.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein providing a display involves providing an interactive map which indicates the location of the both the customer and the taxi.

15. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising providing taxis with a list of travel requests which have been submitted by customers.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the updated location information is used to update the location of the customer and the location of the taxi on the display.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the system initially makes a determination as to whether a travel request from a previous session is pending for a user.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the list comprises a predetermined number of available taxis which are closest in proximity to a pickup address which has been submitted by the customer.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein a request ID is assigned to the travel request to permit users to query a server for details about the travel request.

9. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of:

sending a list of taxis to a customer;

selecting at least one taxi from the list that is to receive a travel request;

providing a display which indicates a location of the customer and a location of a taxi which has accepted the travel request; and

updating location information of the customer and taxi during pendency of the accepted travel request.

16. A system for dispatching taxis, comprising:

a communication device configured to receive a list of taxis and to permit the selection of at least one taxi in the list that is to receive a travel request;

a display which indicates a location of a customer and a location of a taxi which has accepted the travel request; and

a server configured to receive updated location information for determining updated locations for the customer and taxi.