`
`US010395525B1
`
`( 12 ) United States Patent
`Demisse
`
`( 10 ) Patent No . : US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`* Aug . 27 , 2019
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 54 ) VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
`( 71 ) Applicant : RideShare Displays , Inc . , Fairfield , NJ
`( US )
`( 72 ) Inventor : Dereje M . Demisse , Los Angeles , CA
`( US )
`( 73 ) Assignee : RideShare Displays , Inc . , Fairfield , NJ
`( US )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U . S . C . 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer .
`( 21 ) Appl . No . : 16 / 198 , 140
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Nov . 21 , 2018
`Related U . S . Application Data
`( 63 ) Continuation of application No . 15 / 860 , 939 , filed on
`Jan . 3 , 2018 , now Pat . No . 10 , 169 , 987 , which is a
`continuation of application No . 14 / 723 , 049 , filed on
`May 27 , 2015 , now Pat . No . 9 , 892 , 637 .
`( 60 ) Provisional application No . 62 / 004 , 753 , filed on May
`29 , 2014 .
`Int . Ci .
`G08G 1 / 017
`( 2006 . 01 )
`( 52 )
`U . S . CI .
`G08G 1 / 017 ( 2013 . 01 )
`CPC
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . GOSG 1 / 017
`CPC
`
`( 51 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`GO8G 1 / 017
`
`USPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 / 425 . 5 , 426 . 1 , 539 . 1 , 933
`See application file for complete search history .
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`8 , 635 , 556 B2
`1 / 2014 Lalancette
`11 / 2016 Millspaugh
`9 , 488 , 494 B2
`9 , 718 , 397 B2
`8 / 2017 Kalanick
`9 , 892 , 637 B2
`2 / 2018 Demisse
`10 , 169 , 987 B1 *
`1 / 2019 Demisse
`1 / 2005 Berquist
`2005 / 0012598 A1
`2012 / 0203599 AL
`8 / 2012 Choi
`2019 / 0009721 A1 *
`1 / 2019 Schofield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B60R 1 / 02
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Daryl C Pope
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Welsh Flaxman & Gitler
`LLC
`ABSTRACT
`( 57 )
`A vehicle identification system includes one or more dis
`plays associated with a vehicle , a transceiver , and a control
`ler communicatively coupled to the transceiver . The one or
`more displays are located to be visible from an exterior of
`the vehicle . The controller is adapted to generate a first
`signal to be transmitted by the transceiver to a mobile
`communication device associated with a driver of the
`vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is within a
`predetermined distance of a specific location . The mobile
`communication device associated with the driver is adapted
`to generate a second signal to be transmitted to the one or
`more displays . The second signal represents an indicator .
`1 Claim , 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`CONTROLLER
`110
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`120
`postoso
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`
`TAXI
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`EXHIBIT C
`
`
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Aug . 27 , 2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
`
`- 150
`
`fet
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`to www
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`FIG . 1A
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`MB
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`120
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`CONTROLLER 110
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 11/30/20 Page 2 of 9 PageID #: 59
`
`
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Aug . 27 , 2019
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
`
`Abbi
`
`SODUC
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`o
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`upodobe
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`3
`
`FIG . 1B
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`1
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`11
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`130mm
`130
`131
`
`1
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`140
`
`TRANSCEIVER 120
`
`CONTROLLER 110
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 11/30/20 Page 3 of 9 PageID #: 60
`
`A
`
`
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Aug . 27 , 2019
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
`
`Hy
`
`v
`
`*
`
`
`
`DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150D
`
`
`
`RIDER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 140D
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130D
`
`
`
`DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150C
`
`CODE - D
`
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`DISPLAY PANEL 130C
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`w
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`CODE - C
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`
`RIDER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 140C
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`m
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`#
`
`*
`
`* *
`
`- NOTIFICATION - B
`
`FIG . 2
`
`CODE - B
`
`
`
`DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150B
`
`
`
`RIDER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 140B
`
`RIDE REQUEST - D
`
`RIDE REQUEST - C
`
`Mummy
`
`Perth M w
`
`NOTIFICATION - D
`
`- NOTIFICATION - C
`
`W
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`AMY
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`white
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`with
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`With
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`white
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`with
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`*
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`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`120
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`110
`
`NOTIFICATION - A
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130A
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 11/30/20 Page 4 of 9 PageID #: 61
`
`RIDE REQUEST - A
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130B
`
`RIDE REQUEST - B
`
`
`
`DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150A
`
`CODE - A
`
`
`
`RIDER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 140A
`
`WWW
`
`
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Aug . 27 , 2019
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
`
`WHEN IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN A
`PREDETERMINED DISTANCE OF THE LOCATION OF THE USER ,
`GENERATE A NOTIFICATION SIGNAL TO A MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVER
`
`Ay
`
`7
`
`OOOOOO
`
`000000000
`
`0 00000000000000000000000000000
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`0000000000gooooOOOOOO
`
`6310
`
`- 320
`
`GENERATE AN INDICATORY SIGNAL REPRESENTING AN INDICATOR
`E
`IN RESPONSE TO RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATION SIGNAL
`
`G
`
`S
`
`00000000000000080606800900300dodao
`
`?????????????????????????deededecadeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee88858986666666666
`
`66666
`
`- 330
`DISPLAY , ON A DISPLAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE , AN INDICATOR
`BASED ON THE INDICATORY SIGNAL , THE DISPLAY BEING LOCATED TO BE
`Fans
`www
`VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE
`
`* * *
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`DISPLAY THE INDICATOR ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`1
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE USER
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`000 XOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AUKOM 10900040000000000000000000000
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`340
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`DENTIFY THE VEHICLE BASED ON APPEARANCE OF A MATCH , BY VISUAL
`OBSERVATION OF THE USER , BETWEEN THE INDICATOR BEING
`DISPLAYED ON THE MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH
`THE USER AND THE INDICATOR BEING DISPLAYED ON THE DISPLAY
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 11/30/20 Page 5 of 9 PageID #: 62
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`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
`
`VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
`
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`The present application claims priority to , and the benefit
`of , U . S . Provisional Application Ser . No . 62 / 004 , 753
`entitled “ VEHICLE IDENTIFYING SYSTEM , ” filed on
`May 29 , 2014 , the disclosure of which is herein incorporated
`by reference in its entirety .
`STATEMENT RE : FEDERALLY SPONSORED
`RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT
`Not Applicable
`
`vehicle , a transceiver , and a controller communicatively
`coupled to the transceiver . The one or more displays are
`located to be visible from an exterior of the vehicle . The
`controller is adapted to generate a first signal to be trans
`5 mitted by the transceiver to a mobile communication device
`associated with a driver of the vehicle when it is determined
`that the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a
`specific location . The mobile communication device asso
`ciated with the driver is adapted to generate a second signal
`10 to be transmitted to the one or more displays . The second
`signal represents an indicator .
`According to another aspect of the present disclosure , a
`method of identifying a vehicle dispatched to a location of
`a user having requested a ride from a transportation service
`15 is provided . The method includes : when it is determined that
`the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the location
`BACKGROUND
`of the user , generating a notification signal to a mobile
`communication device associated with the driver ; generat
`ing an indicatory signal representing an indicator in response
`Technical Field
`20 to receiving the notification signal ; and displaying , on a
`display associated with the vehicle , the indicator based on
`The present disclosure relates generally to a system and
`the notification signal . The display is located to be visible on
`method for vehicle identification . More particularly , the
`the exterior of the vehicle . The method also includes :
`present invention relates to a system adapted to provide an
`displaying the indicator on a mobile communication device
`indicator on a mobile communication device of a user
`having requested a ride service to allow the user to identify 25 associated with the user ; and identifying the vehicle based
`a vehicle prior to boarding the vehicle .
`on appearance of a match , by visual observation of the user ,
`between the indicator being displayed on the mobile com
`Related Art
`munication device associated with the user and the indicator
`being displayed on the display associated with the vehicle .
`The rapid technological advances in the Internet , mobile 30
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`communications technologies , and social networking have
`opened up opportunities for tech - enabled transportation ser
`vices that provide on - demand individual transportation . In
`Objects and features of the presently - disclosed systems
`one ride - hailing model , drivers and riders use mobile phones
`and methods for vehicle identification will become apparent
`connected to a web service to arrange rides . Before riding 35 to those of ordinary skill in the art when descriptions of
`with UBER , for example , customers are required to create
`various embodiments thereof are read with reference to the
`an account with their personal and payment information , and
`accompanying drawings , of which :
`rides can only be requested through the application .
`FIG . 1A is a diagrammatic illustration of a system for
`To varying degrees , on - demand transportation service
`vehicle identification in accordance with an embodiment of
`providers employ ideas from social networking , reputation 40 the present disclosure ;
`systems , and Global Positioning System ( GPS ) tracking to
`FIG . 1B is a diagrammatic illustration of a system for
`provide service . Although these companies may appear to be
`vehicle identification in accordance with another embodi
`taxi companies to riders , they are actually dispatching ser -
`ment of the present disclosure ;
`FIG . 2 is schematic illustration of the system for vehicle
`vices which serve both riders and drivers .
`Technology - enabled transportation services , such as 45 identification of FIG . 1A servicing multiple riders in accor
`UBER and LYFT , may help to improve the public ' s trans -
`dance with an embodiment of the present disclosure ; and
`portation options . Expanding the availability of on - demand
`FIG . 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of identifying
`transportation modes and technology - enabled tools may
`a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`give more people the freedom to live " car - free ” or “ car -
`disclosure .
`light ” lifestyles - avoiding the cost of owning ; insuring , 50
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`maintaining and garaging a private vehicle .
`There are numerous barriers that have prevented people
`Hereinafter , embodiments of a system and method for
`from using non - driving modes of transportation . Public
`vehicle identification are described with reference to the
`transportation use , for example , is often limited by percep -
`tions of personal security in public transportation travel . 55 accompanying drawings . Like reference numerals may refer
`Rider safety is fundamental to the continued success of
`to similar or identical elements throughout the description of
`transportation services , but driver safety has also become an
`the figures .
`This description may use the phrases “ in an embodiment , "
`issue .
`A continuing need exists for systems and methods adapted
`“ in embodiments , " " in some embodiments , " or " in other
`for use by transportation services to ensure rider and driver 60 embodiments , " which may each refer to one or more of the
`same or different embodiments in accordance with the
`security .
`present disclosure .
`As used herein , the term “ controller ” may include any
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`type of computing device , computational circuit , or any type
`According to an aspect of the present disclosure , a vehicle 65 of processor or processing circuit capable of executing a
`series of instructions that are stored in a memory associated
`identification system is provided . The vehicle identification
`system includes one or more displays associated with a
`with the controller . As it is used herein , “ mobile communi
`
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`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
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`It is to be understood that the transceiver 120 may be any
`cation device ” generally refers to any portable wireless
`device capable of wireless communication with a mobile
`device . In one instance , the mobile communication device
`communication device 150 associated with the driver D
`has one or more processors and memory capability .
`and / or a mobile communication device 140 associated with
`Examples of mobile communication devices include , with
`out limitation , cellular ( cell ) and mobile telephones , smart 5 the user P . For example , the transceiver 120 may consist of
`mobile telephones , mobile e - mail devices , digital personal
`satellites instead of land - based cell towers .
`The vehicle identification system 10 may be adapted to
`assistants , etc .
`Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
`generate one or more signals representing an indicator ,
`vehicle identification system adapted to provide an indicator
`which may be displayable as a " code ” ( e . g . , a text string or
`on a mobile communication device of a user having 10 an alphanumeric string ) , an icon , or other identifier , on the
`requested a ride service to allow the user to identify a vehicle
`display 130 and on a mobile communication device 140
`prior to boarding the vehicle . Various embodiments of the
`associated with the user P to enable the user P to identify the
`presently - disclosed vehicle identification systems are
`vehicle that he / she has requested for a ride service . Although
`adapted to provide a notification signal for activating a
`one display 130 is shown associated with a passenger side
`driver ' s mobile communication device to generate a signal 15 rear window 21 of the motor vehicle 20 , it is to be under
`representing an indicator , whereby the indicator is displayed
`stood that one or more displays 130 may be mounted on or
`on a display visible from the exterior of the vehicle . The
`otherwise associated with the front windshield , rear shield ,
`indicator may additionally , or alternatively , be displayed on
`passenger side front window , passenger side rear window ,
`a display associated with an article of clothing ( e . g . , coat or
`driver side rear window , and / or driver side front window of
`hat ) worn by the driver and / or displayed on a remote 20 the ride - service vehicle . Those skilled in the art will readily
`hand - held display device ( e . g . , tablet computer ) held by the
`appreciate that the display may be disposed on other areas of
`driver . The presently - disclosed vehicle identification sys -
`the vehicle , e . g . , door and body panels . Display 130 may be
`tems and methods for vehicle identification may be used in
`operatively connected to a receiver . As described in more
`coordination with services that use mobile fleets of vehicles
`detail below , the vehicle identification system 10 may be
`or personnel in a variety of scenarios . Vehicle identification 25 adapted to generate a first signal that is transmitted via the
`systems and methods described herein may be used in
`transceiver 120 to a mobile communication device 150
`combination with chauffeured driving services , such as taxi
`associated with the driver , wherein , in response to receiving
`cab providers , car sharing and car services ( e . g . , UBER ,
`the first signal , an application on the mobile communication
`LYFT , FLYWHEEL ) , limo services , shuttles ( e . g . , airport -
`device 150 associated with the driver D generates a second
`operated shuttle buses , door - to - door shuttles ) , police dis - 30 signal 17 representing an indicator 111 that is transmitted to
`patch , package delivery services ( e . g . , UPS , FEDEX , cou -
`the display 130 .
`riers , drones ) , and / or mobile military units . Vehicle
`It is to be understood that the dashed lines indicative of
`identification systems and methods described herein may be
`wireless links between various components of the vehicle
`implemented , in whole or in part , as an application running
`identification system 10 shown in FIG . 1A and the vehicle
`as a standalone program or may be embedded into third - 35 identification system 11 shown in FIG . 1B are merely
`party applications , e . g . , UBER , LYFT , etc . Embodiments of
`illustrative and non - limiting examples of wireless connec
`the presently - disclosed vehicle identification system can be
`tions , and that vehicle identification system embodiments of
`implemented as software , hardware , firmware or any com -
`the present disclosure may utilize many different configu
`bination thereof . Where a component is implemented as
`rations of wireless connections , some with additional , fewer ,
`software , it can be implemented as a standalone program , 40 or different links than depicted in FIGS . 1A and 1B . For
`but can also be implemented in other ways , for example as
`example , in some embodiments , the display 130 may be
`part of a larger program , as a plurality of separate programs ,
`adapted to establish a wireless connection with a mobile
`as a kernel loadable module , as one or more device drivers
`communication device 140 associated with the user P .
`or as one or more statically or dynamically linked libraries .
`A signal from a mobile communication device 140 of a
`Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that where the 45 user P may be provided to a taxi cab service , in order to have
`presently - disclosed vehicle identification system is imple -
`a taxi driver D dispatched to the location of the user P . A
`mented in whole or in part in software , the software com -
`signal from a user ' s mobile communication device 140 may
`ponents thereof may be stored on computer readable media
`be provided to a car service , e . g . , the UBER service , in order
`as computer program products . Any form of computer
`to have a driver from the service dispatched to the location
`readable medium may be used in this context , such as 50 of the user P . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate
`magnetic or optical storage media . Additionally , software
`that various different transportation services , e . g . , UBER ,
`portions of the present invention may be instantiated ( for
`LYFT , limos and any other kind of ride service , may be
`example as object code or executable images ) within the
`requested by the user P . Once a ride service has been
`requested by the user P , a request may be sent to the user P
`memory of any programmable computing device .
`FIG . 1A shows a vehicle identification system
`10 in 55 to download an application to the user ' s mobile communi
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure .
`cation device 140 . The application may be adapted to
`The vehicle identification system 10 includes a controller
`receive an indicatory signal and display an indicator , as
`110 , a transceiver 120 , and one or more displays associated
`described in more detail below , and may provide other
`with a motor vehicle 20 . In the illustrative embodiment
`functionality , e . g . , a panic button for sending to law enforce
`shown in FIG . 1A , a first display 130 is associated with a 60 ment and / or emergency services providers information
`passenger side rear window 21 of a motor vehicle 20 , and a
`related to the mobile communication device 140 including
`second display 131 is associated with the front windshield of
`its location , information about the user Passociated with the
`the motor vehicle 20 . In some embodiments , the controller
`mobile communication device 140 , and / or information
`110 may be a computer network controller or a server . In
`recorded by the mobile communication device 140 during
`some embodiments , the controller 110 is communicatively 65 and subsequent to the time the panic button is activated . It
`coupled to the transceiver 120 . The transceiver 120 may
`is to be understood that although various components are
`consist of one or more cell phone towers of a tower network .
`illustrated and described above as separate entities , each
`
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`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
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`5
`
`allow the driver D to verify that he / she is picking up the
`illustrated component represents a collection of functional
`person who actually requested the ride service .
`ities which can be implemented as software , hardware ,
`In some embodiments , the indicator 111 may be a " code "
`firmware or any combination of these .
`such as an alphanumeric string , e . g . , A22 , B11 , C44 , and so
`The controller 110 may generate a first signal ( also
`on . Preferably , the code would not be duplicated in the same
`referred to herein as a “ notification signal ” ) that is trans -
`pickup location . In some embodiments , when the driver D
`mitted via the transceiver 120 to the mobile communication
`turns on the fare meter , the code ( or other indicator ) is
`device 150 associated with the driver D . In some embodi
`deleted . If there is a need for the driver D to pick up another
`ments , the vehicle identification system 10 is adapted to
`person , when the driver D approaches the second location
`generate a notification signal once the vehicle 20 approaches
`the pickup location , e . g . , within a predetermined distance 10 ( or third location , etc . ) , the vehicle identification system 10
`may generate another notification signal . Alternatively , the
`based on GPS location . Preferably , the predetermined dis
`vehicle identification system 10 may be adapted to allow the
`tance is a suitable distance to provide the user P an oppor
`driver to enter a command on the driver ' s mobile commu
`tunity to view the display 130 as the vehicle 20 approaches
`nication device 150 so that another code ( or other indicator )
`the pickup location . In an embodiment , the predetermined 15 can be generated for the next rider who is going to share the
`distance is approximately one quarter mile from the pickup
`same vehicle . In some embodiments , the vehicle identifica
`location . In other embodiments , the vehicle identification
`tion system 10 may be adapted to allow the user P who
`system 10 may be adapted to generate a notification signal
`originally requested the ride service that was picked up at the
`once the vehicle 20 arrives at the pickup location .
`first location to text the code , or otherwise send the indicator ,
`In some embodiments , in response to receiving the noti - 20 to another person who is going to share the ride .
`fication signal , an application on the mobile communication
`It is to be understood that multiple drivers and vehicles
`device 150 associated with the driver D generates a second
`may be dispatched to the same or different locations , e . g . ,
`signal 17 ( also referred to herein as an “ indicatory signal ” )
`concurrently or sequentially , and the vehicle identification
`representing an indicator . The indicatory signal 17 transmit -
`system 10 ( and / or the vehicle identification system 11 ) may
`ted by the mobile communication device 150 may be 25 generate any number of notification signals . In an illustrative
`received by the display 130 and / or a receiver operatively
`embodiment of the vehicle identification system 10 shown in
`associated therewith . Responsive to receiving the indicatory
`FIG . 3 , four ride service requests VEHICLE REQUEST - A ,
`signal 17 , the display 130 displays the indicator 111 . The
`VEHICLE REQUEST - B , VEHICLE REQUEST - C , and
`indicatory signal 17 representative of indicator 111 trans -
`VEHICLE REQUEST - D are received from four users ( also
`mitted by the driver ' s mobile communication device 150 30 referred to herein as “ riders ” ) for pickup . The controller 110
`may additionally , or alternatively , be received by the mobile
`generates four different notification signals , NOTIFICA
`communication device 140 associated with the user P . In
`TION - A , NOTIFICATION - B , NOTIFICATION - C , and
`some embodiments , as shown for example in FIG . 1A , a
`NOTIFICATION - D , to be transmitted by the transceiver 120
`second indicatory signal 19 representative of the indicator
`to a first DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150A , a second
`111 is transmitted by the driver ' s mobile communication 35 DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150B , a third DRIVER ' S
`device 150 to the mobile communication device 140 asso -
`MOBILE DEVICE 150C , and a fourth DRIVER ' S
`ciated with the user P . Responsive to receiving the indicatory
`MOBILE DEVICE 150D , respectively .
`signal 19 , the mobile communication device 140 displays
`As seen in FIG . 2 , in response to receiving the NOTIFI
`the indicator 111 .
`CATION - A the first DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150A
`FIG . 1B shows a vehicle identification system 11 in 40 transmits an indicatory signal CODE - A
`to the DISPLAY
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure .
`PANEL 130A , in response to receiving the NOTIFICA
`The vehicle identification system 11 is similar to the vehicle
`TION - B the second DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150B
`identification system 10 shown in FIG . 1A , except for the
`transmits an indicatory signal CODE - B
`to the DISPLAY
`configuration of the wireless links . As seen in FIG . 1B ,
`PANEL 130B , in response to receiving the NOTIFICA
`vehicle identification system 11 is adapted to generate an 45 TION - C the third DRIVER ’ S MOBILE DEVICE 150C
`indicatory signal 14 to be transmitted to the mobile com -
`transmits an indicatory signal CODE - C to the DISPLAY
`munication device 140 associated with the user P and a
`PANEL 130C , and in response to receiving the NOTIFICA
`notification signal 15 to be transmitted to the mobile com -
`TION - D the fourth DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150D
`munication device 150 associated with the driver D . In this
`transmits an indicatory signal CODE - D to the DISPLAY
`embodiment , the driver ' s mobile communication device 150 50 PANEL 130D .
`does not communicate with the user ' s mobile communica -
`In some embodiments , wherein the vehicle identification
`tion device 140 , being an accommodation for users who
`system 10 is utilized , the first RIDER ' S MOBILE DEVICE
`prefer to communicate directly with the dispatching service ,
`140A may receive the indicatory signal CODE - A from the
`rather than the driver D .
`first DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150 A , the second RID
`In an illustrative example wherein a dispatched vehicle 20 55 ER ’ S MOBILE DEVICE 140B may receive the indicatory
`arrives at the pickup location and waits for the user P who
`signal CODE - B from the second DRIVER ' S MOBILE
`requested the ride service , the vehicle 20 may be parked by
`DEVICE 150B , the third RIDER ' S MOBILE DEVICE
`itself or parked among other similar and / or not similar
`140C may receive the indicatory signal CODE - C from the
`vehicles . When the user P who requested the ride service
`third DRIVER ' S MOBILE DEVICE 150C , and the fourth
`approaches the pickup area , in order to locate his / her ride the 60 RIDER ’ S MOBILE DEVICE 140D may receive the indica
`user P need only visually observe a vehicle 20 with the
`tory signal CODE - D from the fourth DRIVER ' S MOBILE
`display 130 displaying the indicator 111 that is a match to the
`DEVICE 150D . In other embodiments , wherein the vehicle
`indicator 111 ( e . g . , A22 shown in FIGS . 1A and 1B ) being
`identification system 11 is utilized , an indicatory signal to
`displayed on the user ' s mobile communication device 140 .
`the rider ' s mobile communication device may be generated
`Once the user Phas identified the vehicle 20 , the user P may 65 by the controller 110 .
`be requested to show the indicator 111 displayed on his / her
`FIG . 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of iden
`mobile communication device 140 to the driver D , e . g . , to
`tifying a vehicle being dispatched to a location of a user
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 11/30/20 Page 8 of 9 PageID #: 65
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`US 10 , 395 , 525 B1
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`having requested a ride from a transportation service in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure .
`At block 310 , when it is determined that the vehicle 20 is
`within a predetermined distance of the location of the user
`P , a notification signal 15 is generated to a mobile commu -
`nication device 150 associated with the driver D .
`At block 320 , an indicatory signal 17 representing an
`indicator 111 is generated in response to receiving the
`notification signal 15 .
`At block 330 , an indicator 111 based on the indicatory 10
`signal 17 is displayed on a display 130 associated with the
`vehicle 20 . The display 130 , 131 is located to be visible on
`the exterior of the vehicle 20 .
`At block 340 , the indicator 111 is displayed on a mobile
`communication device 140 associated with the user P .
`At block 350 , the vehicle 20 is identified based on
`appearance of a match , by visual observation of the user P ,
`between the indicator 111 being displayed on the mobile
`communication device 140 associated with the user P and
`the indicator 111 being displayed on the display 130 , 131 20
`associated with the vehicle 20 .
`Although embodiments have been described in detail with
`reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of
`illustration and description , it is to be understood that the
`
`15
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`disclosed systems and processes are not to be construed as
`limited thereby . It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
`in the art that various modifications to the foregoing embodi
`ments may be made without departing from the scope of the
`5 disclosure .
`What is claimed is :
`1 . A vehicle identification system , comprising :
`a display associated with a front windshield of a vehicle ,
`wherein the display is movable so as to be visible from
`an exterior of the vehicle by a rider ;
`a controller communicatively coupled to mobile commu
`nication devices , wherein the controller generates a first
`signal representing an indicator which is transmitted to
`a mobile communication device associated with a
`driver of the vehicle and a second signal representing
`the indicator which is transmitted to a mobile commu
`nication device associated with the rider ; and
`wherein the mobile communication device associated
`with the driver of the vehicle generates a third signal
`representing the indicator which is transmitted to the
`display , the third signal representing the indicator iden
`tifies the vehicle .
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 11/30/20 Page 9 of 9 PageID #: 66
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