METHOD FOR REQUESTING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for safely and efficiently requesting transportation services through the use of mobile communications devices capable of geographic location is described. Individual and package transportation may be provided. New customers may be efficiently serviced, and the requester and transportation provider locations may be viewed in real time on the mobile devices.
30 Citations
44 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A computerized method for managing a transportation system, comprising:
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receiving at a computer via a communications network an identifier of a transportation provider from a first wireless mobile communications device; receiving at a computer via a communications network a request for transportation from a second wireless mobile communications device of a transportation requester, wherein the request for transportation includes an initial geographic location of the second wireless mobile communications device determined by the second wireless mobile communications device or entered into the second wireless mobile communications device by the transportation requester; transmitting from the computer via the communications network to the first wireless mobile communications device the request for transportation, inducing the geographic location of the second wireless mobile communications device; receiving at the computer via the communications network confirmation from the first wireless mobile communications device that transportation will be provided by the transportation provider; transmitting from the computer via the communications network to the second wireless mobile communications device a notification that transportation will be provided by the transportation provider; periodically receiving at the computer tracking information via the communications network, wherein the tracking information comprises geographic locations of the first wireless mobile communications device; and transmitting from the computer via the communications network to the second wireless mobile communications device information that can be displayed on a screen of the second wireless mobile communications device, wherein the information includes an estimated time of arrival of the transportation provider and a geographic location of the transportation provider that can be displayed on a map on the screen of the second wireless mobile communications device, wherein the information is periodically updated to include real time data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for managing a transportation service, comprising:
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receiving at a computer system via a network a request for transportation from a first wireless device of a transportation requester, wherein the request for transportation includes a geographic location of the transportation requester determined by the first wireless device or entered into the first wireless device by the transportation requester; the computer system automatically selecting as a selected transportation provider one of a plurality of transportation providers; transmitting from the computer system via the network to a second wireless device of the selected transportation provider the request for the transportation service, including the geographic location of the transportation requester; receiving at the computer system via the network confirmation from the second wireless device of the selected transportation provider that transportation can be provided by the selected transportation provider; the computer (1) automatically and periodically receiving tracking information via the network, wherein the tracking information comprises geographic locations of the first wireless device of the transportation requester, and (2) periodically relaying via the network the geographic locations of the first wireless device of the transportation requester to the second wireless device of the selected transportation provider; and the computer (1) automatically and periodically receiving tracking information via the network, wherein the tracking information comprises time-varying geographic locations of the second wireless device of the selected transportation provider and (2) periodically relaying via the network the time-varying geographic locations of the second wireless device of the selected transportation provider to the first wireless device of the transportation requester. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A device comprising:
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a processor; a memory storing instructions for requesting transportation services; a wireless transceiver for transmitting a request for transportation services from a transportation requester and receiving confirmation that transportation services will be provided by a transportation provider; means for automatically deterring a geographic location of a mobile device of the transportation provider; and a display comprising; (i) a user interface control for requesting the transportation service; and (ii) a map, which is updated periodically and automatically, showing the geographic location of the transportation provider. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification