GB2428511A

GB2428511A - Service request device

Info

Publication number: GB2428511A
Application number: GB0614267A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Maridos Gomez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-18
Filing date: 2006-07-18
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Also published as: GB0614267D0; GB0514693D0

Abstract

A service request device 10 is disclosed. A housing having dimensions suitable to be substantially hand held includes a plurality of actuators 30-33 and an illuminable display 20. The service request device 10 is arranged to accept a user's input via one or more of the plurality of actuators 30-33 and illuminate one or more symbols on the illuminable display 20 in dependence on the user's input. The functionality of the device may be incorporated into a mobile phone.

Description

Service Request Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for use in requesting a service and is particularly applicable for requesting service by a transport entity such as a bus or taxi.

Background to the Invention

Users of transport systems such as busses and taxis are well aware of problems in requesting service. Users of busses often expect bus drivers to have the telepathic ability to read minds and know whether the user standing at a bus stop wants the driver's bus or not. Similarly, other users are frustrated when the first bus to arrive stops at a bus stop but others, potentially on different routes, do not because access to the bus stop is blocked or they cannot see people waiting at the stop because the other bus is blocking their line of sight.

Users of taxis experience similar problems as it is not always easy to get a taxi driver's attention from the side of the road (or across on the other side of the road) and thereby hail the cab.

These problems are exacerbated at night when driver's vision is restricted, particularly where pavement lighting is poor or non-existent.

Statement of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service request device according to claim 1. The service device includes an illuminable display and a number of actuators arranged to accept a user's selection and visually indicate a request for a service on demand The present invention seeks to provide a device that is preferably of a size suitable for being held in a user's hand that includes a display that can be operated to provide a visual indication that a service is requested.

Preferably the device is substantially credit card sized. The device may be integrated into a bus pass holder or into the body of a mobile phone.

Alternatively, the display of a mobile phone may be operated to function as display.

The display may be formed from an array of light emitting diodes, an array of conventional light bulbs, electroluminescent devices or any other display means. Preferably, the display is lit or is light emitting so that the service request can be clearly seen, particularly at night or in low light conditions.

The display may be pre-programmed with a number of predetermined service requests. For example, a service request may be a symbol, a word or words (such as TAXI") or an identifier (such as the desired bus number/route, for

example "Nb").

The device may include a selector enabling the service request to be displayed to be selected (either from one of the pre-programmed set or by selecting from the alphabet and numbers/symbols to compose a service request).

Preferably, the device includes an actuator to allow the display with the selected or pre-programmed service request to be activated. The display may include a manual or automatic illumination setting. The display may be illuminated whenever it is on or may include a dial allowing the user to set illumination (and thereby save battery power when illumination is not needed).

Alternatively, the device may include a sensor arranged to detect the level of ambient light and control illumination in dependence on the sensed light levels.

Preferably the device is battery powered, although it may be rechargeable via an appropriate connection or via use of a docking station.

The device may include an REID tag or other smart card type technology to enable an electronic wallet or the like to be incorporated so that the device can also be used to pay for predetermined transportation services.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a service request device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 when its display is activated; and, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mobile phone incorporating a service request device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Detailed Description

Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, front and rear perspective views of a service request device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The service request device 10 includes an illuminable display 20 arranged to visually indicate a request for a service on demand.

The device that is preferably of a size suitable for being held in a user's hand that includes a display that can be operated to provide a visual indication that a service is requested. Most preferably, the device is substantially credit card sized.

The display 20 is formed from an array of light emitting diodes 21-23.

The device 10 includes a plurality of actuators 30-33 for selection of one of a number service requests to be displayed on the display 20. Preferably, actuation of one (or a predetermined combination) of the actuators 30-33 is arranged to trigger the display 20 to display (or stop displaying) the service request.

In this embodiment, the actuators 30-33 comprise push buttons, although other selector types or numbers could be used. For example, if the service request was formed from a 2 digit alphanumeric code then 2 dials could be provided to allow the appropriate digits to be selected. In such an example the dials could be turned to display each of a sequence such as "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzol23456789" in turn until the user stops at which point the selected number or letter is displayed on the display 20 The letters and numbers may be etched on the dials or may briefly flash on the display as the dials are turned. Where the device is pre- programmed for one or a small number of service requests, one or no actuators 30-33 may be used. For a single service request such as "TAXI", only the on/off button 33 is needed.

For multiple service requests, one or more actuators 30-33 may be used.

For example, a service request may be a symbol, a word or words (such as "TAXI", or an identifier corresponding to a bus route such as 61d", as shown by letters 21-23 in Figure 3 (the hatching in figure 3 is simply to illustrate the letters illuminated)).

The display 20 may include a manual or automatic illumination setting. The display may be illuminated whenever it is on or may include a dial allowing the user to set illumination (and thereby save battery power when illumination is not needed). Alternatively, the device may include a sensor arranged to detect the level of ambient light and control illumination in dependence on the sensed light levels.

Preferably the device 10 is battery powered, although it may be rechargeable via an appropriate connection or via use of a docking station. In another alternative, the device 10 may include a power cell chargeable by a winding handle, solar power or the like.

The device 10 may include an RFID tag or other smart card type technology to enable an electronic wallet or the like to be incorporated so that the device can also be used to pay for predetermined transportation services.

The device 10 may include attachment means 50 for attachment to clothing, a rucksack or the like. For example, the attachment means may be a clip, a section of Velcro (RTM), a loop or the like enabling the device to be attached to a user or his or her back when walking along a road etc. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mobile phone incorporating a service request device according to another embodiment of the present invention In this embodiment, a mobile phone 15 incorporates a display 20, actuators 30-33. In this particular embodiment, the service request device is provided on the reverse side of the mobile phone to the mobile phone screen, keyboard etc. Although the display 20 and actuators 30-33 are illustrated as separate entities to the display and keyboard of the mobile phone 15, the mobile phone's display and/or keyboard could be substituted for these functions.

In alternative embodiments, the service request device could be incorporated into a keyring, mobile phone case, wallet, bag, handbag or the like.

Claims

Claims 1 A service request device comprising a housing having dimensions

suitable to be substantially hand held, the housing including a plurality of actuators and an illuminable display, wherein the service request device is arranged to accept a user's input via one or more of the plurality of actuators and illuminate one or more symbols on the illuminable display in dependence on the user's input.
2. A service request device according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises one or more of: an array of light emitting diodes; an array of light bulbs; or one or more electroluminescent devices.
3 A service request device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising selectable illumination means for illuminating the illuminable display on demand
4. A service request device according to claim 3, wherein the selectable illumination means comprises means for setting the level of illumination.
A service request device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the selectable illumination means includes a sensor arranged to detect the level of ambient light and control illumination in dependence on the sensed light levels.
6. A service request device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the selectable illumination means includes a user actuable control.
7. A service request device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more symbols comprise one or more of: alphanumeric symbols; one or more predetermined combinations of alphanumeric symbols; one or more predetermined words, and one or more pictorial symbols.
8. A service request device according to any preceding claim, wherein the service request device is arranged to display the one or more symbols on the display upon actuation of a predetermined one or a predetermined combination of the actuators.
9 A service request device according to any preceding claim, further comprising an RFID tag or smart card type technology incorporating an electronic wallet for use in payment for predetermined transportation services.
10. A service request device according to any preceding claim wherein the device is substantially credit card sized.
11 A bus pass holder including the service request device of any preceding claim.
12. A mobile phone including a plurality of actuators and an illuminable display visible from a distance when illuminated, wherein the mobile phone is arranged to accept a user's input via one or more of the plurality of actuators and illuminate one or more symbols on the illuminable display in dependence on the user's input.
13. A mobile phone according to claim 12, wherein the illuminable display is positioned on a different side of the mobile phone to the display of the mobile.
14. A mobile phone according to claim 12, wherein the illuminable display is the display screen of the mobile phone.
15. A mobile phone according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the mobile phone's keypad includes the plurality of actuators.
16. A service request device as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

17 A mobile phone as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.