WO2002080510A1

WO2002080510A1 - Apparatus and method for service calling

Info

Publication number: WO2002080510A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2002/000047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory Jon Tarrant
Original assignee: Gregory Jon Tarrant
Priority date: 2001-03-30
Filing date: 2002-03-28
Publication date: 2002-10-10

Abstract

A service request apparatus which may be utilised in the provision of transport services includes a processing means (2) and a telecommunications network interface (4) which allows communication through a telecommunications network (8) with a service provider (10). The funds receiving means (5) which may include a coin feed or a phone billing system receives funds from a user and this is polled by a processing means (2) to establish when the predetermined amount of funds have been received. The system may use wireless communication and battery power so as to be portable.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SERVICE CALLING

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for service calling, and in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus and method for requesting a taxi.

In order to provide convenient access to services, many taxi companies provide free telephones in order to allow a customer to request a taxi to the location of the phone. For example, at a public place such as a club, bar, sports ground or shopping mall, telephones may be provided with the contact number of one or more taxi service providers stored in memory. The user then picks up the phone, selects the required taxi company, if more than one is provided, after which the phone makes connection to the taxi service centre. The user then requests that a taxi is forwarded to their current location.

A disadvantage of this system, is that it may be difficult to contact the taxi service provider by telephone, particularly during busy periods. Also, errors may arise in the oral communication between the user and the taxi service provider, especially if there is significant background noise at the location of the telephone handset.

A further disadvantage of systems of this type is that the number of prank calls or people changing their mind after calling a taxi may be numerous.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and/or method for service requesting which overcomes or at least alleviates problems in such methods and apparatus at present, or at least one which provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided service request apparatus including:

• telecommunications network interface means suitable for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from a service provider through a telecommunications network; • funds receiving means for receiving funds from a user;

• dispensing means to dispense a confirmation of service request by a user to the service provider; and

• processing means adapted to control communication of the apparatus with said telecommunications network; wherein, after receipt of predetermined funds by the funds receiving means, said processing means causes or allows the apparatus to make a request for service from a service provider through said telecommunications network and dispense a confirmation of service request.

Preferably, the apparatus may further include a computer readable memory, storing contact details of at least one service provider and readable by the processing means, whereby the processing means is adapted to automatically send a service request to a service provider through the telecommunications network using said contact details.

Preferably, the processing means may be adapted to automatically send a service request upon receipt of the predetermined funds by the funds receiving means.

Preferably, the apparatus may be adapted to disconnect from said telecommunications network once handshake signals have been received from an automated service provider system.

Preferably, said dispensing means may include a ticket dispensing means and said confirmation of service request is a ticket to a user.

Preferably, the apparatus may be adapted to dispense said confirmation of service request after a successful communication has been made to a service provider.

Preferably, the apparatus may include a user interface adapted to communicate to a user, verification of whether or not a service has been successfully requested.

Preferably, the user interface may include an audio system adapted to produce sound output indicating at least that a service request has been successfully performed.

Preferably, said computer readable memory may store contact details of a plurality of service providers and the apparatus may include a selection means to allow a user to select to which service provider the apparatus is to make service request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of receiving service requests and supplying a service, the method including:

• providing at least one terminal at a predetermined location, wherein the or each terminal is adapted to receive funds from a user and effect a request for service through a telecommunications network once predetermined funds have been received;

• receiving a service request from said terminal via said telecommunications network; • providing an identification means to said user;

• supplying a service to said user and varying a charge for said service in consideration for said identification means.

Preferably, the method may include reducing a charge for said service in consideration for said identification means.

Preferably, the method may include reducing a charge for said service by an equivalent amount to funds received by said terminal.

Preferably, said service may be the provision of transport services.

Preferably, said transport services may be taxi services.

Preferably, the step of providing an identification means to said user may include dispensing a ticket from said terminal.

Preferably, the method may include providing an identification means to said user only after predetermined funds have been received by said terminal.

Preferably, the method may include providing an identification means to said user only after a request for service has been effected by said terminal.

Preferably, the method may include sending a confirmation of receipt of request for service to said terminal and providing an identification means to said user only after said terminal receives said confirmation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided service request apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of receiving service requests and supplying a service substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further aspects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG 1 : Show schematically one possible embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the attached figure, an apparatus for requesting services according to one embodiment of the present invention is referenced in block diagram form by box 1 . The service request apparatus 1 includes a processing means 2 and an associated memory 3. The processing means 2 is communicative with a telecommunications network interface 4, to allow communication through a telecommunications network 8 with a service provider 10. A funds receiving means 5 is provided to receive funds from a user who wishes to request one or more services. The funds receiving means may be polled by the processing means 2 to establish when a predetermined amount of funds have been received.

The service request apparatus 1 may be provided at specified locations within a suitable housing to house its components and provide protection from the environment. The specified locations may include any place where it is anticipated members of the public will need to request a service. The present invention is anticipated to have particular application to the request of transport services, more particularly taxi services. Therefore, the service request apparatus 1 may be located at places such as a club, bar, sports ground or shopping mall. However, the present invention may be applied to any service request. For example, food or other delivery orders may be effected by the service request apparatus 1 .

Also, however, the system 1 may be portable and movable to any suitable location, this being facilitated utilising wireless communication and a battery power or possibly solar panel supply.

To use the service request apparatus 1 , a user provides funds to the funds receiving means 5. The funds receiving means 5 may be a coin slot. Further or alternative funds receiving means may also be provided, including but not limited to a currency notes receiver, a swipe card reader, or a smart card reader. Alternatively a phone billing system may be used whereby a user rings a number displayed on the device and a fee is added to a phone or charge account. The service request apparatus 1 may also be adapted to provide change to a user. The service request apparatus 1 may require full payment for a service before requesting a service. However, in the preferred form of the invention as presently contemplated, only a nominal fee or a deposit is required.

The processing means 2 may periodically poll the funds receiving means 5 in order to determine whether the required predetermined amount of funds have been received. Alternatively, an interrupt line to the processing means 2 may be actuated by the funds receiving means 5 upon receipt of the required funds. Once the processing means 2 detects that the required amount of funds have been supplied, it may automatically initiate a communication to the telecommunications network 8 through the telecommunications network interface 4. The processing means 2 may use information held in the memory 3 in order to supply the required network address within the telecommunications network 8. The processing means 2 may be any suitable processor, including for example a microprocessor or microcontroller.

The telecommunications network 8 may be a wireless or wired system or a combination. Similarly, the telecommunications network interface 4 may be adapted to allow communication with a radio network, a cellular network or a fixed line telephone network such as a PSTN.

In the preferred form of the invention as presently contemplated the processing means 2 effects a call to an automated call distribution system administered by the service provider 10. The automated call distribution system receives a service request from the processing means 2, and identifies the location of the service request apparatus 1 from the service request. A confirmatory signal may be communicated back to the service request apparatus 1 , at which time the service request apparatus 1 disconnects from the telecommunications network 8. This communication process may be achieved very quickly, with only the handshake signals required to be communicated between the service request apparatus 1 and an automated call distribution apparatus of the service provider 10. The automatic call distribution system may use the caller identification system to identify the service request apparatus 1 which has effected a service request. The automated call distribution system may then attend to dispatching a suitable service. For example, a taxi may be dispatched to the location of the service request apparatus 1 .

In alternative, less preferred embodiments, the service request apparatus 1 may play an automated message to a manual operator of the service provider 10. Alternatively, the service request apparatus 1 may allow the user to talk to either an automated system or manual operator of the service provider 10 using a handset or similar. These and similar embodiments are less preferred due to taking more time, and being more susceptible to human error.

If the first attempt to make a service request is unsuccessful, the processing means 2 may make multiple attempts at predetermined time intervals, may try another number or an alternative communication channel. If a service request can not be successfully performed, the apparatus may notify this to the user through a user interface, such as an error message displayed on a liquid crystal display, an audio message or a simple flashing indicator.

After a service request has been effected, the processing means 2 may then control a ticket dispensing apparatus 9 to dispense a ticket to the user. This ticket may be produced to the taxi driver in order to obtain a reduction in the cost of the fare. This reduction may be equivalent to the amount of funds received by the funds receiving means 5. Alternatively, the reduction may be some other value, less than or greater than the funds received by the service request apparatus and the value of difference may depend on marketing issues.

Alternative identification means from a ticket may be provided by the service request apparatus 1 . This may include a password or code, a stamp, token or any other identification means which may be conveniently shown to the service provider when the service is provided to the user.

A speaker 6 may produce an audio message telling a user that a taxi is on the way. Alternatively, a display, such as a liquid crystal display may provide equivalent information. If a single service request apparatus 1 is capable of requesting multiple services, a selection means 7 may be provided in order to allow the user to select the appropriate service. In this manner, separate service providers may share a single service request apparatus 1 . Where only one service can be requested by the service request apparatus 1 , a single button may still be provided to allow the user to confirm that the service request should be effected after the required funds have been supplied.

In the case of food delivery orders, multiple selections may be required. This could be achieved through the use of multiple buttons or scroll menus. The dispensed ticket acts as a way to identify who placed the delivery service request.

Thus, the present invention provides a method of automatically calling a service such as a taxi. The requirement for a person to provide funds before the service is requested is expected to reduce the number of prank calls and the occurrence of people changing their mind. However, if enough prank service requests are made the service provider may be partially compensated by the funds entered into the funds receiving means 5.

In alternative business models, the service provider may not receive the funds which are supplied to the service request apparatus 1 . These funds may go wholly, or in part to the owner of the location of the service request apparatus, or to the provider or administrator of the service request apparatus. The service provider, such as the taxi company would still benefit by increased sales, justifying the discount in service provided.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Service request apparatus including:

• telecommunications network interface means suitable for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from a service provider through a telecommunications network;

• funds receiving means for receiving funds from a user;

2. Service request apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including a computer readable memory storing contact details of at least one service provider and readable by the processing means, whereby the processing means is adapted to automatically send a service request to a service provider through the telecommunications network using said contact details.

3. Service request apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the processing means is adapted to automatically send a service request upon receipt of the predetermined funds by the funds receiving means.

4. Service request apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is adapted to disconnect from said telecommunications network once handshake signals have been provided from an automated service provider system.

5. Service request apparatus as claimed in claim in any one of the preceding claims where said dispensing means includes a ticket dispensing means and said confirmation of service request is a ticket to a user.

6. Service request apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and adapted to dispense said confirmation of service request after a successful communication has been made to a service provider.

7. Service request apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and including a user interface adapted to communicate to a user, verification of whether or not the service has been successfully requested.

8. Service request apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said user interface includes an audio system adapted to produce sound output indicating at least that a service request has been successfully performed.

9. Service request apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 8 when dependent on claim 2 wherein said computer readable memory stores contact details of a plurality of service providers and said apparatus further includes a selection means to allow a user to select to which service provider the apparatus is to make a service request.

10. Service request apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said telecommunications network incorporates wireless telecommunications and said apparatus is portable.

1 1 . Service request apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said funds receiving means includes a phone billing system.

12. Service request apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

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13. A method of receiving service requests and supplying a service:

• receiving a service request from said terminal via said telecommunications network;

• providing an identification means to said user;

14. A method of receiving service requests as claimed in claim 13 including the step of reducing the charge for said service in consideration for said identification means.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said step of reducing a charge for said service reduces said charge by an equivalent amount to funds received by said terminal.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 1 5 wherein said service is the provision of transport services.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said transport services are taxi services.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein said step of providing an identification means of said user includes dispensing a ticket from said terminal.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 including the step of providing an identification means to said user only after predetermined funds have been received by said terminal.

20. A method as claimed in claim 1 9 wherein said step of providing an identification means to the said user occurs only after a request for service has been effected by said terminal.

21 . A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20 including the step of sending a confirmation of receipt of request for service to said terminal and providing an identification means to said user only after said terminal receives said confirmation.

22. A method of receiving a service request substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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