GB2257873A

GB2257873A - Taxi pager system.

Info

Publication number: GB2257873A
Application number: GB9115511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shu-Lien Liou; Ching-Yun Liu
Original assignee: LIU CHING YUN
Current assignee: LIU CHING YUN
Priority date: 1991-07-18
Filing date: 1991-07-18
Publication date: 1993-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-18
Also published as: GB9115511D0; GB2257873B

Abstract

A radio transmitter 20 is built in a portable personal article 1 to form a taxi pager, and when operated produces a relatively short range signal to be received by a taxi 40 provided with a radio receiver 30 adapted to receive such a signal and produce a sound, so that the taxi driver is notified that someone nearby is calling a taxi. The radio transmitter can be built in such articles as the handle of an umbrella or briefcase, or in a pen, watch, lipstick, belt, keyholder or handbag, (Figs 5 to 13). A light (24) on the transmitter may be activated simultaneously with, or independently of, the radio transmission to identify the passenger visually to the taxi driver. <IMAGE>

Description

I eAGE YSIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pager systems and more particularly to a taxi pager system to help people call a vacant taxi by use of a radio transaission.

At the present tire, transportation vehicles have become a requisite i te. in our daily lives. Many people regardless of age or sex use a taxi to go fron one place to another. It is dangerous and difficult for a taxi driver to look for people who wish to hire a taxi when his taxi is not being used. To a person who wishes to hire a taxi. it is also dangerous to stand at the side of a road to look for a vacant taxi; for if he stands far enough into the road to be noticed by a taxi driver, he might be hit by a pasing vehicle.

Moreover, particularly during rainy days. people who wish to hire a taxi tend to stay in an arcade while looking for a vacant taxi, and it is therefore difficult for taxi drivers to see the people who wish to hire a taxi.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a taxi pager system which helps taxi drivers rapidly find the people who wish to hire a taxi.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a taxi pager system which helps a taxi user to find a vacant taxi within a short tiae.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a taxi pager systen which enables a taxi driver to concentrate his attention on driving without needing to search for a passenger, and thus to ensure safe driving.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a taxi pager system which helps a user find a vacant taxi without having to expose himself to bad weather while looking for a vacant taxi.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a taxi pager system which is simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture. practical, and convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The taxi pager system according to this invention includes a radio transmitter built in a portable personal article which can be conveniently carried by the person who looks for a taxi, the radio transmitter being adapted to produce a radio signal when activated, to be received by a taxi which is provided with a radio receiver capable of receiving the radio signal. and a sound producing device such as a buzzer which produces a sound as soon as the radio receiver receives the radio signal. The radio transmitter is so designed to transmit a radio signal within the range of about 50 meters so that it can be as small as one which is capable of being installed in a personal article such as a pen, handbag. the handle of an umbrella, or the handle of a briefcase.A signal light can be operatively connected to the radio transmitter to be selectively lit by the taxi user when calling a taxi so as to enable the taxi driver to find the taxi user who calls the taxi with the radio transmitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of an nbodiment of the taxi pager according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an electric wiring diagram of the first embodiment of the taxi pager of the present invenlion.

Fig. 3 is an electric wiring diagram of a second embodiment of the taxi pager of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an electric wiring diagram of a third embodiment of the taxi pager of the present invention.

Figs. 5 through 13 Illustrate various embodiments of the taxi pager of the present invention, showing actual examples of building the radio transnitter in a personal article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TUE PREFERRED D-EMBQDIMENT As sown in Fig. I, the first embodiment of the taxi pager of this invention includes a radio transaitter 20 which is adapted to produce a radio signal to be received by a radio receiver 30 installed in a taxi 40, the radio transmitter 20 being installed in a portable. personal article 1.

Radio transmitter 20 is connected to a power source 23 which nay be a battery, through a switch 22 which is operable by a push button 21 operable from the outside of personal article 1. The radio transmitter 20 is so designed to produce a radio signal when push button 21 is operated to close switch 22. to reach the range of about 50 meters. such that it can be made small enough to be mounted within a personal article to be discussed later.

Radio receiver 30 mounted in a taxi is provided wit a sound producing device (not shown) which produces a sound when radio transitter 30 receives a radio signal from the radio transmitter 20 operated by the person who is looking for a taxi.

As shown in Fig. 2. a signal light 24 may be connected in parallel with the radio transmitter 20 so that signal light 24 is lit when switch 22 is closed to operate radio transmitter 20; in this way, the person who uses the taxi pager may use the signal light to indicate his location to the taxi which he is calling.

As sown in Fig. 3, signal light 24 may be provided with its own switch 25 to co-operate with switch 22; and the signal light 24 nay also be provided with its own switch 25 independent from switch 22 as shown in Fig. 4 so that the person who uses the taxi pager may selectively use the signal light in association with or independent from radio transmitter 20.

The radio transmitter 20 and the signal light 24 described above may be mounted on various kinds of personal articles as shown in Figs. 5 through 13.

Fig. 5 shows an example in which a radio transmitter is installed in a rectangular case 1 having a clip 2. with signal light 24 and a push button 21 exposed to the outside of case 1. The taxi pager of this example can be conveniently carried by the person who looks for a taxi. by hanging the taxi pager on a belt or a pocket with clip 2.

Fig. 6 shows another example of the taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in a pendant 1 connected to a keyholder 4 by a chain 3, with a push button 21 on one side of the pendant and the signal light 24 on another side.

Fig. 7 shows another example in which the radio transmitter is built in a pen 5 with signal light 24 mounted on the top of the pen and the push button 21 on the side surface of the pen.

Fig. 8 shows another example of the taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in a lipstick 6 with the signal light 24 on one end of the lipstick 6 and the push button 21 on one side thereof.

Fig. 9 shows another example of the taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in a watch case 7, with the signal light 24 on an upper surface and push button 21 on a side surface.

Fig. 10 shows another example of the taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in the handle 8 of an umbrella. with the signal light 24 on one side of the handle and the push button 21 on another side.

Fig. 11 shows another example of a taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in the buckle 10 of belt '). with the signal light 24 on the front surface of the buckle 10 and the push button 21 on a side surface.

Fig. 12 shows another example of the taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in a handbag 11.

with the signal light 24 on one side surface of the handbag and the push button 21 on the front surface of the handbag.

Fig. 13 shows another example of the taxi pager of this invention in which the radio transmitter is built in the handle of a brief case 12. with signal light 24 on a side surface of the handle 13 and push button 21 on a side surface.

When the user wants to call a taxi, he can simply press push button 21 of the taxi pager without him having to appear at a roadside. The radio transmitter 20 is then activated to transmit a radio signal to a taxi within the reach of the radio signal. Then the taxi driver is notifIed by the sound produced by the radio receiver mounted on the taxi that someone nearby is looking for a taxi. The taxi driver may then pull his taxi to a roadside or an appropriate place and wait for the person who calls the taxi to come.

Ile may look around the area to find the person who called the taxi without him having to continue driving on the street. At the same time. the person who uses the taxi pager may turn on the signal light and wave the taxi pager with its signal light lit so as to identify himself to the taxi driver.

According to the taxi pager of the present invention, the person who uses the taxi pager can conveniently call a taxi within a certain range without him having to stand at a roadside or to go to a taxi stop in order to call a vacant taxi. At the same time. the taxi driver is notified of a call from someone looking for a taxi without him having to divert his attention from driving.

Furthermore. the person who looks for a taxi may stay at any convenient place: he does not necessarily have to be in a place where he can be conspicuous to the taxi driver, particularly on a hot summer day or a cold rainy day; he may stay in some place relatively comfortable and safe, and still be able to call a taxi. Morevoer, the taxi pager of the present invention enables the taxi driver to find a passenger easily such that his idle driving time is reduced and the possibility of missing a passenger is minimized; therefore, fuel can be saved, and safety of driving can be ensured.

As the taxi pager of this invention is built in a personal article such as the handle of an umbrella, or the handle of a briefcase. therefore the user may conveniently operate the taxi pager with the same hand carrying the umbrella or the briefcase.

It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As indicated. the present invention may be variously eabodied. Recognizing that various modifications are possible. it is apparent that the scope herein shall be deemed as defined in the claims set forth hereinafter.

Claims

What is claimed is;

I. A taxi pager system. comprising a radio transsitter capable of scnding a radio signal. to be received by a radio receiver mounted on a taxi, said radio transmitter device being built in a portable article. with a switch operable by a push button mounted on the outside of said personal article. said radio receiver having a sound device capable of producing a sound when said radio signal is received by said radio receiver.

The taxi pager system of Claim 1, which further comprises a signal light operatively connected to said radio transmitter.

The taxi pager system of Claim I or 2. wherein said portable article is a small casing having a clip.

A. The taxi pager system of Claim I or 2. wherein said portable article is a pendant connected to a key holder.

5. The taxi pager system of Claim I or 2. wherein said portable article is a pen.

6. The taxi pager system of Clais 1 or 2. wherein said portable article is a lipstick.

7. The taxi pager systes of Claim I or 2. wherein said portable article is a watch.

8. The taxi pager systea of Claim 1 or 2. wherein said portable article is an umbrella.

9. The taxi pager system of Claim I or 2. wherein said portable article is a buckle of a belt.

10. The taxi pager system of Claim 1 or 2. wherein said portable article is a handbag.

II. The taxi pager system of Claim I or 2. wherein said portable article is a briefcase or suitcase.

12. A taxi pager system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying dragrammatic dravings.