METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

• US 20150325128A1
• Filed: 06/27/2014
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Lord, Richard T., Lord, Robert W., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T.
• Application Number:
  US14/318,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20150325128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A method substantially as shown and described the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. A device substantially as shown and described the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein.

Claims

1-4. -4. (canceled)

5. A computationally-implemented method implemented by hardware, comprising:

transmitting a request for transporting one or more end users towards a destination location;

receiving the request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location;

providing a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the travel plan identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

transmitting at least one or more portions of the travel plan;

receiving the at least one or more portions of the travel plan;

presenting the at least one or more portions of the travel plan including an end user option to accept or decline the travel plan;

transmitting confirmation data indicative of acceptance of the at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

receiving the confirmation data;

directing, in response at least in part to receiving the confirmation data, the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

transmitting a request for transporting one or more second end users to at least a second destination location;

receiving the request for transporting the one or more second end users to at least a second destination location;

identifying a second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit;

transmitting one or more directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more second end users in order to transport the one or more end users to at least the second destination location;

receiving the one or more directives;

transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users;

receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages;

receiving the one or more instructions to transport the one or more second end users, the transport of the one or more end users to be in accordance with the one or more instructions and not to interfere with the delivery of the one or more packages in accordance with the one or more package delivery directive;

presenting the one or more instructions to transport the one or more second end users;

transmitting two or more carpooling requests to respectively transport two or more independent end users including at least a first carpooling request to transport a first one or more independent end users and a second carpooling request to transport a second one or more end users;

receiving the two or more carpooling requests to transport the two or more independent end users;

assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to a third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been at least pre-approved for transport by a driver associated with the third transportation vehicle;

transmitting one or more results of assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

receiving the one or more results of the assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

transmitting to a transport computing device associated with the third transportation vehicle unit one or more transport directives to transport the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to one or more destination locations in response to receiving the one or more results of the assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

transmitting one or more preferences of the driver associated with the third transportation vehicle related to preferred characteristics of independent end users to be selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit;

receiving the one or more transport directives to transport the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to one or more destination locations; and

presenting the one or more transport directives.

6. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting a request for transporting one or more end users towards a destination location comprises:

transmitting the request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location by relaying a request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location that was received from a computing device associated with at least one of the one or more end users.

7. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said presenting the at least one or more portions of the travel plan including an end user option to accept or decline the travel plan comprises:

presenting the at least one or more portions of the travel plan by presenting at least one or more portions of a travel plan that calls for a first transportation vehicle to transport the one or more end users over a first route leg of the travel plan and a second transportation vehicle to transport the one or more end users over a second route leg.

8. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said presenting the at least one or more portions of the travel plan including an end user option to accept or decline the travel plan further comprising:

presenting at least one or more portions of a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel towards the destination location from the starting location and that further identifies a rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the at least one transportation vehicle unit, the at least one or more portions of the travel plan to be presented identifying the rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the at least one transportation vehicle unit.

9. The computationally-implemented method of claim 8, wherein said presenting at least one or more portions of a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from the starting location and that further identifies a rendezvous location and/or time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the at least one transportation vehicle unit, the at least one or more portions of the travel plan to be presented identifying the rendezvous location and/or time for the one or more end users to rendezvous with the at least one transportation vehicle unit further comprising:

presenting at least one or more portions of another travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location in response to determination that the one or more end users and/or the transportation vehicle unit is unable to rendezvous at the rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time.

10. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said directing, in response at least in part to receiving the confirmation data, the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg comprises:

directing the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users in response to detecting that the one or more end users are within a predefined travel distance from the rendezvous location, a travel distance being the distance traveled by the one or more end users along at least a portion of a travel route defined by the travel plan.

11. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said identifying a second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit comprises:

identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit, the one or more package delivery obligations being one or more obligations to deliver the one or more packages by a particular point or range in time.

12. The computationally-implemented method of claim 11, wherein said identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit, the one or more package delivery obligations being one or more obligations to deliver the one or more packages by a particular point or range in time further comprising:

identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that transporting by the second transportation vehicle unit of the one or more second end users will not violate one or more transport obligations for transporting the one or more second end users to the at least the second destination location.

13. The computationally-implemented method of claim 12, wherein said identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that transporting by the second transportation vehicle unit of the one or more second end users will not violate one or more transport obligations for transporting the one or more second end users to the at least the second destination location comprises:

identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that transporting by the second transportation vehicle unit of the one or more second end users will not violate one or more transport obligations for transporting the one or more second end users to the at least the second destination location, the one or more transport obligations being one or more obligations to transport to at least the second destination location one or more pieces of luggage and/or multiple end users.

14. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said identifying a second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit comprises:

identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified satisfying one or more transportation vehicle unit preferences of at least one of the one or more second end users.

15. The computationally-implemented method of claim 14, wherein said identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified satisfying one or more transportation vehicle unit preferences of at least one of the one or more second end users comprises:

identifying the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified satisfying one or more transportation vehicle unit preferences of at least one of the one or more second end users, the one or more transportation vehicle unit preferences being one or more vehicle type preferences and/or driver one or more preferences.

16. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users comprises:

transmitting the one or more instructions to the transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users, the one or more instructions at least identifying rendezvous location and/or rendezvous time for rendezvousing with the one or more second end users.

17. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users comprises:

transmitting the one or more instructions to the transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users, the one or more instructions at least providing information identifying at least one of the one or more second end users.

18. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users further comprising:

transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with a substitute transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second user upon determining that the transportation vehicle unit will not be able to rendezvous with the one or more second end user in order to transport the one or more second end users to the at least the second destination.

19. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages comprises:

receiving the one or more package delivery directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit including receiving one or more package delivery directives that identifies one or more package pickup locations, one or more drop-off locations, one or more delivery deadlines, and/or number of packages for delivery.

20. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages further comprising:

transmitting a confirmation of acceptance of package delivery assignment as defined by the one or more package delivery directives.

21. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting status information related to delivery of the one or more packages by the second transportation vehicle unit.

22. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting two or more carpooling requests to respectively transport two or more independent end users including at least a first carpooling request to transport a first one or more independent end users and a second carpooling request to transport a second one or more end users comprises:

transmitting the two or more carpooling requests by relaying two or more carpooling requests received from two or more end user computing devices.

23. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving the two or more carpooling requests to transport the two or more independent end users comprises:

receiving the two or more carpooling requests including receiving information indicating one or more preferences of at least one of the end users of the first one or more independent end users and/or the second one or more end users related to other carpooling passengers.

24. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to a third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been at least pre-approved for transport by a driver associated with the third transportation vehicle comprises:

assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been determined to satisfy one or more end user preferences of the driver related to one or more end user characteristics related to gender, profession, interest, and/or group affiliation.

25. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to a third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been at least pre-approved for transport by a driver associated with the third transportation vehicle comprises:

assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit based, at least in part, on determining that the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users are requesting to be transported to the same destination location.

26. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to a third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been at least pre-approved for transport by a driver associated with the third transportation vehicle comprises:

assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit based, at least in part, on determining that the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users are located in the near vicinity of each other.

27. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting one or more preferences of the driver associated with the third transportation vehicle related to preferred characteristics of independent end users to be selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit comprises:

transmitting the one or more preferences of the drivers by transmitting one or more preferences that one or more end users to be transported by the third transportation vehicle unit be destined for a particular geographic location or destined for a particular geographic area.

28. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said transmitting one or more preferences of the driver associated with the third transportation vehicle related to preferred characteristics of independent end users to be selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit comprises:

transmitting the one or more preferences of the drivers by transmitting one or more preferences that one or more end users to be transported by the third transportation vehicle unit be of a particular gender, have the same interests, or be affiliated with a common group.

29. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said presenting the one or more transport directives comprises:

identifying one or more replacement end users for transporting, the one or more replacement end users replacing one or more independent end users previously assigned to be transported by the third transportation vehicle unit through the one or more transport directives.

30. A system, comprising:

circuitry for transmitting a request for transporting one or more end users towards a destination location;

circuitry for receiving the request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location;

circuitry for providing a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the travel plan identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

circuitry for transmitting at least one or more portions of the travel plan;

circuitry for receiving the at least one or more portions of the travel plan;

circuitry for presenting the at least one or more portions of the travel plan including an end user option to accept or decline the travel plan;

circuitry for transmitting confirmation data indicative of acceptance of the at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

circuitry for receiving the confirmation data;

circuitry for directing, in response at least in part to receiving the confirmation data, the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

circuitry for transmitting a request for transporting one or more second end users to at least a second destination location;

circuitry for receiving the request for transporting the one or more second end users to at least a second destination location;

circuitry for identifying a second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit;

circuitry for transmitting one or more directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more second end users in order to transport the one or more end users to at least the second destination location;

circuitry for receiving the one or more directives;

circuitry for transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users;

circuitry for receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages;

circuitry for receiving the one or more instructions to transport the one or more second end users, the transport of the one or more end users to be in accordance with the one or more instructions and not to interfere with the delivery of the one or more packages in accordance with the one or more package delivery directive;

circuitry for presenting the one or more instructions to transport the one or more second end users;

circuitry for transmitting two or more carpooling requests to respectively transport two or more independent end users including at least a first carpooling request to transport a first one or more independent end users and a second carpooling request to transport a second one or more end users;

circuitry for receiving the two or more carpooling requests to transport the two or more independent end users;

circuitry for assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to a third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been at least pre-approved for transport by a driver associated with the third transportation vehicle;

circuitry for transmitting one or more results of assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

circuitry for receiving the one or more results of the assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

circuitry for transmitting to a transport computing device associated with the third transportation vehicle unit one or more transport directives to transport the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to one or more destination locations in response to receiving the one or more results of the assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

circuitry for transmitting one or more preferences of the driver associated with the third transportation vehicle related to preferred characteristics of independent end users to be selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit;

circuitry for receiving the one or more transport directives to transport the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to one or more destination locations; and

circuitry for presenting the one or more transport directives.

31. A system, comprising:

means for transmitting a request for transporting one or more end users towards a destination location;

means for receiving the request for transporting the one or more end users towards the destination location;

means for providing a travel plan for facilitating the one or more end users to travel to the destination location from a starting location, the travel plan identifying at least two route legs including at least one transport route leg that calls for at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

means for transmitting at least one or more portions of the travel plan;

means for receiving the at least one or more portions of the travel plan;

means for presenting the at least one or more portions of the travel plan including an end user option to accept or decline the travel plan;

means for transmitting confirmation data indicative of acceptance of the at least one transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

means for receiving the confirmation data;

means for directing, in response at least in part to receiving the confirmation data, the at least one transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more end users at a rendezvous location in order to transport the one or more end users over the transport route leg;

means for transmitting a request for transporting one or more second end users to at least a second destination location;

means for receiving the request for transporting the one or more second end users to at least a second destination location;

means for identifying a second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users to at least the second destination location based, at least in part, on determination that the second transportation vehicle unit that is identified would not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the second transportation vehicle unit if the one or more second end users are transported by the second transportation vehicle unit;

means for transmitting one or more directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to rendezvous with the one or more second end users in order to transport the one or more end users to at least the second destination location;

means for receiving the one or more directives;

means for transmitting one or more instructions to a transport computing device associated with the second transportation vehicle unit to transport the one or more second end users;

means for receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct the second transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages;

means for receiving the one or more instructions to transport the one or more second end users, the transport of the one or more end users to be in accordance with the one or more instructions and not to interfere with the delivery of the one or more packages in accordance with the one or more package delivery directive;

means for presenting the one or more instructions to transport the one or more second end users;

means for transmitting two or more carpooling requests to respectively transport two or more independent end users including at least a first carpooling request to transport a first one or more independent end users and a second carpooling request to transport a second one or more end users;

means for receiving the two or more carpooling requests to transport the two or more independent end users;

means for assigning the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to a third transportation vehicle unit for transporting the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users, the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more independent end users having been at least pre-approved for transport by a driver associated with the third transportation vehicle;

means for transmitting one or more results of assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

means for receiving the one or more results of the assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

means for transmitting to a transport computing device associated with the third transportation vehicle unit one or more transport directives to transport the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to one or more destination locations in response to receiving the one or more results of the assignment of the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to the third transportation vehicle unit;

means for transmitting one or more preferences of the driver associated with the third transportation vehicle related to preferred characteristics of independent end users to be selected for transport by the third transportation vehicle unit;

means for receiving the one or more transport directives to transport the first one or more independent end users and the second one or more end users to one or more destination locations; and

means for presenting the one or more transport directives.