Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-4 Filed 11/30/20 Page 1 of 9 PageID #: 67
`
`USO10559199B1
`
`( 12 ) United States Patent
`Demisse
`
`( 10 ) Patent No .: US 10,559,199 B1
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`* Feb . 11 , 2020
`
`( 54 ) VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
`Applicant : RideShare Displays , Inc. , Fairfield , NJ
`( 71 )
`( 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 / 514,492
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Jul . 17 , 2019
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 16 / 198,140 , filed on
`Nov. 21 , 2018 , now Pat . No. 10,395,525 , which is a
`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 .
`Provisional application No. 62 / 004,753 , filed on May
`29 , 2014 .
`Int . Ci .
`( 51 )
`( 2006.01 )
`GO8G 1/017
`( 52 ) U.S. CI .
`G08G 1/017 ( 2013.01 )
`???
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`CPC
`G08G 1/017
`340 / 425.5 , 426.1 , 539.1 , 933
`USPC
`See application file for complete search history .
`
`( 63 )
`
`( 60 )
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`G06F 3/023
`340 / 12.53
`GO1S 19/17
`340 / 539.12
`
`3/1995 Wilson
`9/1999 Kail , IV
`3/2002 Paul
`9/2003 Ur
`6/2004 Ayed
`1/2014 Lalancette et al .
`11/2016 Millspaugh
`8/2017 Kalanick et al .
`2/2018 Demisse
`1/2019 Demisse
`4/2003 Takanashi et al .
`4/2004 Ando et al .
`9/2004 Lee
`1/2005 Berquist
`8/2012 Choi et al .
`1/2019 Schofield et al .
`
`*
`5,400,246 A
`*
`5,959,529 A
`6,356,838 B1
`6,615,046 B1
`6,756,913 B1
`8,635,556 B2
`9,488,494 B2
`9,718,397 B2
`9,892,637 B2
`10,169,987 B1
`2003/0065556 Al
`2004/0076280 A1
`2004/0177109 Al
`2005/0012598 Al
`2012/0203599 A1
`2019/0009721 A1
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner - Daryl C Pope
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm
`Welsh Flaxman & Gitler
`LLC
`( 57 )
`ABSTRACT
`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 .
`2 Claims , 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`CONTROLLER
`110
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`120
`
`15
`
`21 .
`130
`
`29
`
`20
`
`EXHIBIT D
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 10,559,199 B1
`
`15
`
`MLET
`NA
`
`TAXI
`
`111
`
`FIG . 1A
`
`21
`130 131
`
`?? - ? . 19
`
`20
`
`TRANSCEIVER 120
`
`CONTROLLER 110
`
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`
`P
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 10,559,199 B1
`
`-150
`
`MAY
`
`17
`TAXI
`
`111
`
`* * * MAY W ty
`
`27
`130
`
`5
`
`NH
`
`UT
`
`M
`
`HLS
`
`07
`
`an
`
`dels
`NO
`
`14
`
`TRANSCEIVER 120
`
`CONTROLLER 110
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-4 Filed 11/30/20 Page 3 of 9 PageID #: 69
`
`11
`
`FIG . 1B
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 10,559,199 B1
`
`VARALE
`HAVO
`
`CODE - C
`
`DRIVER'S MOBILE
`DEVICE 150C
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130D
`
`151
`
`R
`
`CODE - D
`
`DRIVER'S MOBILE
`DEVICE 150D
`
`RIDER'S MOBILE
`DEVICE 140D
`
`RIDE REQUEST - D
`
`RIDE REQUEST - C
`
`NOTIFICATION - C
`
`UMUM NU V
`
`NOTIFICATION - D
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130C
`
`WA W Z * * WE EN BY
`
`TRANSCEIVER 120
`
`w
`
`ww
`
`ww
`
`***
`
`wer
`
`1 .
`
`was w
`
`**
`** ** ** **
`
`**
`
`*
`
`***
`
`AN A A A
`
`NOTIFICATION - A
`
`NOTIFICATION - B
`
`
`RIDER'S MOBILE DEVICE 140C
`u wet19
`UN DOWN
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130B
`
`Huu
`
`2
`
`DRIVER'S MOBILE
`DEVICE 150B
`
`WUDY
`
`W
`
`DOPE
`
`W
`
`FIG . 2
`
`wa
`
`CODE - B
`
`RIDER'S MOBILE
`DEVICE 140B
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-4 Filed 11/30/20 Page 4 of 9 PageID #: 70
`
`CONTROLLER 110
`
`DRIVER'S MOBILE
`DEVICE 150A
`
`
`
`RIDER'S MOBILE DEVICE 140A
`
`RIDE REQUEST - B
`
`Aws
`
`CODE - A
`
`5
`
`vad
`
`
`
`DISPLAY PANEL 130A
`
`RIDE REQUEST - A
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 10,559,199 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
`
`GENERATE AN INDICATORY SIGNAL REPRESENTING AN INDICATOR
`IN RESPONSE TO RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATION SIGNAL
`
`310
`
`320
`
`330
`
`DISPLAY , ON A DISPLAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE , AN INDICATOR
`BASED ON THE INDICATORY SIGNAL . THE DISPLAY BEING LOCATED TO BE
`VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE
`
`DISPLAY THE INDICATOR ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE USER
`
`Case 1:20-cv-01629-UNA Document 1-4 Filed 11/30/20 Page 5 of 9 PageID #: 71
`
`IDENTIFY 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
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE
`
`350
`
`FIG . 3
`
`

`

`1
`VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
`
`US 10,559,199 B1
`
`2
`A continuing need exists for systems and methods adapted
`for use by transportation services to ensure rider and driver
`security .
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`5
`
`10
`
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser . No. 16 / 198,140 , filed Nov. 21 , 2018 , entitled
`“ VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ” , which is now
`U.S. Pat . No. 10,395,525 , which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser . No. 15 / 860,939 , entitled “ VEHICLE
`IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ” , filed Jan. 3 , 2018 , which is
`now U.S. Pat . No. 10,169,987 , which is a continuation of
`U.S. patent application Ser . No. 14 / 723,049 , filed May 27 ,
`2015 , entitled “ VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ” ,
`15
`which is now U.S. Pat . No. 9,892,637 , which claims priority
`to , and the benefit of , U.S. Provisional Application Ser . No.
`62 / 004,753 , 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
`
`20
`
`According to an aspect of the present disclosure , a vehicle
`identification system is provided . The vehicle identification
`system includes one or more displays associated with a
`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
`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
`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
`25 is provided . The method includes : when it is determined that
`the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the location
`of the user , generating a notification signal to a mobile
`Technical Field
`communication device associated with the driver ; generat
`ing an indicatory signal representing an indicator in response
`The present disclosure relates generally to a system and 30 to receiving the notification signal ; and displaying , on a
`display associated with the vehicle , the indicator based on
`method for vehicle identification . More particularly , the
`present invention relates to a system adapted to provide an
`the notification signal . The display is located to be visible on
`indicator on a mobile communication device of a user
`the exterior of the vehicle . The method also includes :
`having requested a ride service to allow the user to identify
`displaying the indicator on a mobile communication device
`a vehicle prior to boarding the vehicle .
`35 associated with the user ; and identifying the vehicle based
`on appearance of a match , by visual observation of the user ,
`Related Art
`between the indicator being displayed on the mobile com
`munication device associated with the user and the indicator
`The rapid technological advances in the Internet , mobile
`being displayed on the display associated with the vehicle .
`communications technologies , and social networking have 40
`opened up opportunities for tech - enabled transportation ser
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`vices that provide on - demand individual transportation . In
`one ride - hailing model , drivers and riders use mobile phones
`Objects and features of the presently - disclosed systems
`connected to a web service to arrange rides . Before riding
`and methods for vehicle identification will become apparent
`with UBER , for example , customers are required to create 45 to those of ordinary skill in the art when descriptions of
`an account with their personal and payment information , and
`various embodiments thereof are read with reference to the
`rides can only be requested through the application .
`accompanying drawings , of which :
`To varying degrees , on - demand transportation service
`FIG . 1A is a diagrammatic illustration of a system for
`providers employ ideas from social networking , reputation
`vehicle identification in accordance with an embodiment of
`systems , and Global Positioning System ( GPS ) tracking to 50 the present disclosure ;
`provide service . Although these companies may appear to be
`FIG . 1B is a diagrammatic illustration of a system for
`taxi companies to riders , they are actually dispatching ser
`vehicle identification in accordance with another embodi
`vices which serve both riders and drivers .
`ment of the present disclosure ;
`Technology - enabled transportation services , such as
`FIG . 2 is schematic illustration of the system for vehicle
`UBER and LYFT , may help to improve the public's trans- 55 identification of FIG . 1A servicing multiple riders in accor
`portation options . Expanding the availability of on - demand
`dance with an embodiment of the present disclosure ; and
`transportation modes and technology - enabled tools may
`FIG . 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of identifying
`give more people the freedom to live " car - free ” or “ car
`a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`light ” lifestyles avoiding the cost of owning , insuring ,
`disclosure .
`maintaining and garaging a private vehicle .
`There are numerous barriers that have prevented people
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`from using non - driving modes of transportation . Public
`Hereinafter , embodiments of a system and method for
`transportation use , for example , is often limited by percep
`vehicle identification are described with reference to the
`tions of personal security in public transportation travel .
`Rider safety is fundamental to the continued success of 65 accompanying drawings . Like reference numerals may refer
`transportation services , but driver safety has also become an
`to similar or identical elements throughout the description of
`the figures .
`issue .
`
`BACKGROUND
`
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`60
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`US 10,559,199 B1
`
`3
`4
`110 , a transceiver 120 , and one or more displays associated
`This description may use the phrases “ in an embodiment , ”
`with a motor vehicle 20. In the illustrative embodiment
`“ in embodiments , ” “ in some embodiments , ” or “ in other
`shown in FIG . 1A , a first display 130 is associated with a
`embodiments , " which may each refer to one or more of the
`passenger side rear window 21 of a motor vehicle 20 , and a
`same or different embodiments in accordance with the
`present disclosure .
`5 second display 131 is associated with the front windshield of
`the motor vehicle 20. In some embodiments , the controller
`As used herein , the term “ controller ” may include any
`110 may be a computer network controller or a server . In
`type of computing device , computational circuit , or any type
`some embodiments , the controller 110 is communicatively
`of processor or processing circuit capable of executing a
`coupled to the transceiver 120. The transceiver 120 may
`series of instructions that are stored in a memory associated
`with the controller . As it is used herein , “ mobile communi- 10 consist of one or more cell phone towers of a tower network .
`cation device ” generally refers to any portable wireless
`It is to be understood that the transceiver 120 may be any
`device . In one instance , the mobile communication device
`device capable of wireless communication with a mobile
`more processors and memory capability .
`communication device 150 associated with the driver D
`has one
`or
`Examples of mobile communication devices include , with
`and / or a mobile communication device 140 associated with
`out limitation , cellular ( cell ) and mobile telephones , smart 15 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
`a mobile communication device of a user having 20 an alphanumeric string ) , an icon , or other identifier , on the
`on
`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 25 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 30 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
`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 35 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- 40 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- 45 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 , 50 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 55 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 60 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
`memory of any programmable computing device .
`requested by the user P , a request may be sent to the user P
`FIG . 1A shows a vehicle identification system 10 in 65 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
`
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`US 10,559,199 B1
`
`5
`6
`vehicles . When the user P who requested the ride service
`described in more detail below , and may provide other
`approaches the pickup area , in order to locate his / her ride the
`functionality , e.g. , a panic button for sending to law enforce
`user P need only visually observe a vehicle 20 with the
`ment and / or emergency services providers information
`display 130 displaying the indicator 111 that is a match to the
`related to the mobile communication device 140 including
`its location , information about the user P associated with the 5 indicator 111 ( e.g. , A22 shown in FIGS . 1A and 1B ) being
`mobile communication device 140 , and / or information
`displayed on the user's mobile communication device 140 .
`recorded by the mobile communication device 140 during
`Once the user Phas identified the vehicle 20 , the user may
`and subsequent to the time the panic button is activated . It
`be requested to show the indicator 111 displayed on his / her
`is to be understood that although various components are
`mobile communication device 140 to the driver D , e.g. , to
`illustrated and described above as separate entities , each 10 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 "
`such as an alphanumeric string , e.g. , A22 , B11 , C44 , and so
`firmware or any combination of these .
`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- 15 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
`( or third location , etc. ) , the vehicle identification system 10
`the pickup location , e.g. , within a predetermined distance 20 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
`can be generated for the next rider who is going to share the
`distance is approximately one quarter mile from the pickup 25 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
`to another person who is going to share the ride .
`fication signal , an application on the mobile communication 30
`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
`generate any number of notification signals . In an illustrative
`received by the display 130 and / or a receiver operatively 35 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
`referred to herein as “ riders ” ) for pickup . The controller 110
`may additionally , or alternatively , be received by the mobile 40 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
`DRIVER'S MOBILE DEVICE 150B , a third DRIVER'S
`device 150 to the mobile communication device 140 asso- 45 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
`transmits an indicatory signal CODE - A to the DISPLAY
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure . 50 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
`TION - C the third DRIVER'S MOBILE DEVICE 150C
`indicatory signal 14 to be transmitted to the mobile com- 55 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
`PANEL 130D .
`does not communicate with the user's mobile communica- 60
`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
`ER’S MOBILE DEVICE 140B may receive the indicatory
`arrives at the pickup location and waits for the user P who 65 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
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`US 10,559,199 B1
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`7
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`limited thereby . It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
`third DRIVER'S MOBILE DEVICE 150C , and the fourth
`in the art that various modifications to the foregoing embodi
`RIDER'S MOBILE DEVICE 140D may receive the indica
`tory signal CODE - D from the fourth DRIVER’S MOBILE ments may be made without departing from the scope of the
`DEVICE 150D . In other embodiments , wherein the vehicle
`disclosure .
`identification system 11 is utilized , an indicatory signal to 5
`What is claimed is :
`the rider's mobile communication device may be generated
`1. A vehicle identification method implemented as an
`by the controller 110 .
`Application on mobile communication devices over a wire
`FIG . 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of iden
`less communication network , comprising :
`tifying a vehicle being dispatched to a location of a user
`requesting a ride from a transportation service from a
`having requested a ride from a transportation service in 10
`mobile communication device of a user ;
`accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure .
`determining that a vehicle is within a predetermined
`At block 310 , when it is determined that the vehicle 20 is
`distance of the location of the user ;
`within a predetermined distance of the location of the user
`generating a notification signal to a mobile communica
`P , a notification signal 15 is generated to a mobile commu
`tion device associated with a driver of the vehicle ;
`nication device 150 associated with the driver D.
`15
`generating an indicatory signal representing an indicator ;
`At block 320 , an indicatory signal 17 representing an
`displaying the indicator based on the notification signal on
`indicator 111 is generated in response to receiving the
`a display associated with the vehicle , the mobile com
`notification signal 15 .
`munication device associated with the driver , and the
`At block 330 , an indicator 111 based on the indicatory
`user's mobile communication device , wherein the dis
`signal 17 is displayed on a display 130 associated with the 20
`play associated with the vehicle is located to be visible
`vehicle 20. The display 130 , 131 is located to be visible on
`from the exterior of the vehicle ; and
`the exterior of the vehicle 20 .
`identifying the vehicle based on appearance of a match ,
`At block 340 , the indicator 111 is displayed on a mobile
`by visual observation of the user , between the indicator
`communication device 140 associated with the user P.
`being displayed on the user's mobile communication
`At block 350 , the vehicle 20 is identified based on 25
`device and the indicator being displayed on the display
`appearance of a match , by visual observation of the user P ,
`associated with the vehicle .
`between the indicator 111 being displayed on the mobile
`2. The method of claim 1 , further including
`communication device 140 associated with the user P and
`identifying the user based on appearance of a match , by
`the indicator 111 being displayed on the display 130 , 131
`visual observation of the driver , between the indicator
`associated with the vehicle 20 .
`30
`being displayed on the mobile communication device
`Although embodiments have been described in detail with
`associated with the driver and the indicator being
`reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of
`displayed on the user's mobile communication device .
`illustration and description , it is to be understood that the
`disclosed systems and processes are not to be construed as
`
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