MOBILE FOR-HIRE-VEHICLE HAILING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20140067488A1
• Filed: 09/26/2012
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IVSC IP LLC
• Original Assignee: Frias Transportation Infrastructure, LLC
• Inventors: Wisniewski, James Alan, James, Mark Alan, Samson, Leocadio Dominquez
• Application Number:
  US13/627,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067488A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Systems and methods for engaging a for-hire vehicle (FHV) are provided. A mobile computing device receives information from a remote server indicating FHV activity in a geographical region of interest. A user interface of the mobile computing device displays a map having one or more icons thereon indicating locations of one or more FHVs. A user provides an input indicating a desire to hail one of the one or more FHVs, and receives an acceptance of hail. Once within range of the FHV, the device links with a computing device disposed within the hailed FHV over a local area network, providing information related an FHV trip to the remote server, receiving a calculated fare, and displaying the calculated fare to the user.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for engaging a for-hire vehicle, the method comprising:

by a first mobile computing device;

receiving information from a remote server indicating FHV activity in a geographical region of interest;

providing a user interface for viewing by a user seeking FHV transportation service, the user interface displaying a map having one or more icons thereon indicating locations of one or more FHVs;

receiving user input indicating a desire to hail one of the one or more FHVs;

transmitting a hailing signal;

receiving an acceptance of the hailing signal and notifying the user of the acceptance;

linking with a second computing device disposed within the hailed FHV over a local area network;

providing information related to an FHV trip to the remote server;

receiving a calculated fare; and

displaying the calculated fare to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second computing device is a mobile computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated fare is received from the remote server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated fare is based at least in part on a first set of rules when the first mobile computing device is located within a first jurisdiction and is based on a second set of rules when the first mobile computing device is located within a second jurisdiction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface displays information associated with the one or more icons indicating a type of vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, further including providing functionality for the user to pay the calculated fare.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein providing functionality for the user to pay the fare includes presenting a payment user interface, wherein the user may input payment information using the payment user interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes an icon indicating a current location of the user.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising linking with a third mobile computing device over a local area network.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving a signal from the third mobile device indicating the start of the FHV trip.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an estimated time of arrival of the hailed FHV.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a distance of the hailed FHV from a current location of the user or a designated pick-up location.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing functionality for the user to select an FHV for hailing from among a group of available FHVs.

14. A system for managing calculated fares associated with for-hire vehicle activity, the system comprising:

a computer memory; and

computer hardware including a processor in communication with the memory and configured to;

receive information from a remote server indicating FHV activity in a geographical region of interest;

provide a user interface for viewing by a user seeking FHV transportation service, the user interface displaying a map having one or more icons thereon indicating locations of one or more FHVs;

receive user input indicating a desire to hail one of the one or more FHVs;

transmit a hailing signal;

receive an acceptance of the hailing signal and notify the user of the acceptance;

link with a second mobile computing device disposed within the hailed FHV over a local area network;

provide information related to an FHV trip to the remote server;

receive a calculated fare; and

display the calculated fare to the user.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is configured to display information associated with the one or more icons indicating a type of vehicle.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to provide functionality for the user to pay the calculated fare.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to present a payment user interface to the user, wherein the user may input payment information using the payment user interface.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface includes an icon indicating a current location of the user.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to link with a third mobile computing device over a local area network.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a signal from the third mobile device indicating the start of the FHV trip.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to display an estimated time of arrival of the hailed FHV.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to display a distance of the hailed FHV from a current location of the user or a designated pick up location.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to provide functionality for the user to select an FHV for hailing from among a group of available FHVs.