METHOD FOR REQUESTING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
A method is described for safely and efficiently requesting transportation services through the user of mobile communications devices capable of geographic location determination. New customers may be efficiently serviced, and the requester and transportation provider locations may be viewed in real time on the mobile devices.
1 . A method comprising operating a wireless communication device associated with a first transportation provider, wherein the wireless communication device is a first node in a distributed computing network that manages requests for transportation services, wherein the operating of the wireless communication device comprises:
sharing, at the wireless communication device associated with the first transportation provider, at least one task performed by the distributed computing network that manages requests for transportation services;
receiving, from a second node in the distributed computing network, a request for transportation service from a transportation requester, wherein the request includes a time limit to accept the request for transportation service.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second node is a wireless communication device associated with a second transportation provider.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second node is an automated dispatch computer.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the automated dispatch computer received the request for transportation service via an IP address on the Internet.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the automated dispatch computer decided to send the request for transportation service to the first transportation provider based on provider availability.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the automated dispatch computer stores information on all transportation providers that have signaled initial communication with the automated dispatch computer.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the automated dispatch computer stores information on all transportation requesters that have signaled initial communication with the automated dispatch computer.
8 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising transmitting from the automated dispatch computer periodic messages requesting identifying information from transportation providers that have initiated communication with the automated dispatch computer.
9 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising receiving at the automated dispatch computer a message signaling the end of communication by the first transportation provider.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving at the second node periodic messages including the geographic locations of wireless mobile devices associated with transportation requesters.
11 . A system comprising a wireless communication device operable by a first transportation provider as a first node in a distributed computing network operable to manage requests for transportation services, the wireless communication device being configured to perform a method comprising:
sharing at least one task performable by the distributed computing network in managing requests for transportation services;
receiving, from a second node in the distributed computing network, a request for transportation service from a transportation requester, wherein the request is associated with a time limit to accept the request for transportation service.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the second node is a wireless communication device operable by a second transportation provider.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the second node is an automated dispatch computer.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the automated dispatch computer is configured to receive the request for transportation service via an IP address on the Internet.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the automated dispatch computer is configured to decide to send the request for transportation service to the first transportation provider based on provider availability.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the automated dispatch computer is configured to store information on all transportation providers that have signaled initial communication with the automated dispatch computer.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the automated dispatch computer is configured to store information on all transportation requesters that have signaled initial communication with the automated dispatch computer.
18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the automated dispatch computer is configured to transmit periodic messages requesting identifying information from transportation providers that have initiated communication with the automated dispatch computer.
19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises receiving at the automated dispatch computer a message signaling the end of communication by the first transportation provider.
20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises receiving at the second node periodic messages including the geographic locations of wireless mobile devices associated with transportation requesters.