GB2577309A

GB2577309A - Apparatus and method for vehicle searching

Info

Publication number: GB2577309A
Application number: GB1815418.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ahmed Imran
Original assignee: Miwhip Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Miwhip Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-21
Filing date: 2018-09-21
Publication date: 2020-03-25
Also published as: WO2020058431A1; GB201815418D0

Abstract

The application relates to searching for vehicles in a private vehicle hire service. Two different condition sets are stored S310, S320, one for each of two vehicle types. Each condition set defines conditions which must be fulfilled for a journey to be undertaken by the associated vehicle type. Parameters defining requirements for a vehicle journey are received S330. If the parameters meet the first set of conditions S340, a request for the first vehicle type is transmitted S350. If not, but the parameters meet the second set of conditions S360, a request for the second vehicle type is transmitted S370. Journey parameters may include start location, destination, journey length, user location, vehicle location or number of passengers. The first condition set may comprise maximum journey length, maximum distance between the user and the vehicle, maximum number of trips within a period, maximum proportion of trips taken in the first vehicle type, range of passenger numbers, or attaining a randomly generated outcome, e.g. a random number. If the first set of conditions are met, a subtype of the first type may be selected based on the parameters, and the request transmitted to a vehicle of this subtype.

Description

Apparatus and method for vehicle searching

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for receiving, storing, and applying, data transmitted over a packet-based communication network for determining a vehicle to be requested.

Background

Modem packet-based communication networks such as the internet have developed to allow highly efficient transmission of large quantities of traffic between users of different user terminals and between user terminals and remote servers and storage. The development of such packet-based communication networks has enabled the use of user terminals for placing requests for vehicles to provide a private vehicle hire service for the user of the terminal.

To request a vehicle for a private vehicle service, a user typically makes use of an application running on a user terminal to issue a request for the vehicle. When making the request, the user may input certain information, such as the pickup location, the drop off destination, the preferred vehicle type, whether the ride in the vehicle is to he a ride shared with other passengers or if the vehicle is a solo hire, etc. On the basis of these input parameters, the user terminal may calculate a price for the trip, and upon payment by the user, transmit a request for the vehicle. The request is transmitted to a remote server via the packet switched network, which forwards the request to a further user terminal of the vehicle driver. The vehicle driver then responds to the request by driving to the location of the user to pick up and transport the user to the requested drop off location.

As the number of users, and hence the number of vehicles in an area increases, the amount of data relating to the selection and request of vehicles that is exchanged over the network becomes more and more profligate. It is important to ensure, when selecting a vehicle to be requested for a service to a user, that the correct information is retrieved, stored, and applied to select an appropriate vehicle. An efficient searching process is needed that results in efficient use of network resources.

In particular, problems relating to a searching process for a vehicle may arise when there are vehicles of multiple different types within the vicinity of the user of the device. Some of these vehicles may be more suited to user requirements that others. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a method for sorting through the available vehicles to enable a request to be formulated for a vehicle well suited to the needs of the user. The approach discussed above, allows a user to make a manual selection of the type of vehicle in which they would like to travel. However, this selection process fails to take into account additional criteria, such as whether or not the selected vehicle type is much further from the user's requested pick up location than other vehicles in the vicinity.

is Summary

According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: storing a first set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a first type; storing a second set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a second type, wherein the second set of conditions differs from the first set of conditions: receiving a plurality of parameters, at least some of said plurality of parameters defining requirements for a vehicle journey; in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, transmitting a request for a vehicle of the first type; and in response to determining that the plurality of parameters meet the second set of conditions but do not meet the first set of conditions, transmitting a request for the vehicle of the second type.

In some embodiments, the plurality of parameters comprise at least one of: a start location of the vehicle journey; a destination of the vehicle journey; a length of the vehicle journey; a location of a user device; a location of one or more vehicle devices; and a number of passengers specified.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises attainment of a randomly generated outcome.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a journey length to be undertaken by a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum journey length.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a distance of the vehicle from a user device location being less than a maximum distance.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a number of trips undertaken by vehicles of the first type within a predefined time period being less than is a maximum.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a number of passengers for the vehicle journey being within a predefined range.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a proportion of trips undertaken by a user in vehicles of the first type being less than a maximum.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, selecting a subtype of the first type of vehicle in dependence upon the parameters; and transmitting a request for a vehicle of the subtype.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a user interface configured to receive at least some of the plurality of parameters from user input.

In some embodiments, the server is configured to receive at least some of the plurality of parameters from a user device. a

According to a second aspect, a method comprising: storing a first set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a first type; storing a first set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a first type; storing a second set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a second type, wherein the second set of conditions differs from the first set of conditions; receiving a plurality of parameters, at least some of said plurality of parameters defining requirements for a vehicle journey; in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, transmitting a request for a vehicle of the first type; and in response to determining that the plurality of parameters meet the second set of conditions but do not meet the first set of conditions, transmitting a request for the vehicle of the second type.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a distance of the vehicle 25 from a user device location being less than a maximum distance.

In some embodiments, the first set of conditions comprises a number of trips undertaken by vehicles of the first type within a predefined time period being less than a maximum.

In some embodiments, the method comprises: in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, selecting a subtype of the first type of vehicle in dependence upon the parameters; and transmitting a request for a vehicle of the subtype.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable to medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform a method according to the second aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

To assist understanding of the present disclosure and to show how examples may be put into effect, reference is made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows schematically an example of a communication device; Figure 2 shows schematically an example of a communication system; Figure 3 shows an example of a method according to embodiments of the application; Figure 4 shows an example of a communication system, showing the server in greater detail; and Figure 5 shows an example of a communication system, showing the user device in greater detail.

Detailed Description

One proposal for a method of searching for a vehicle to be selected is to apply one or more conditions to requirements input by a user for all or some of the relevant vehicles and to select a vehicle for which the conditions are met. For example, the user may input a pickup location to a user terminal. The user terminal may also s receive, from a remote server, indications cf the locations of a plurality of vehicles within a predefined area. The user terminal may be configured to select a vehicle that is within a predefined maximum distance (i.e. meets a condition) from the pickup location and transmit a request for the selected vehicle. However, there are problems with this proposal. In some cases, there may be no vehicles available for which the conditions are met, in which case a vehicle cannot be requested for the user unless the conditions are expanded until an appropriate vehicle is found. This can lead to network associated delays as the information regarding the available vehicles and updated conditions must be transmitted over the network. It also creates a burdensome experience for the user, since the user may be required to input additional information so as to expand the conditions.

According to embodiments of the application a first set of conditions is established that is applied to select a first type of vehicle but not applied to select a second type of vehicle. By doing so, a first type of vehicle (which may be preferred vehicle) may be requested if it meets the first set of conditions. In the case that such a vehicle does not meet the first set of conditions -and is therefore considered unavailable a second type of vehicle (which may be a backup vehicle) may be requested, even if that vehicle does not meet the first set of conditions. Therefore, the conditions for requesting the first type of vehicle are disregarded when determining whether or not to request the second type of vehicle. This provides an efficient searching process, since there is no need for the user to expand the conditions until a suitable vehicle is found, which would be the case if the same set of conditions is applied to vehicles of all types. Furthermore, the searching process is more efficient in terms of the use of hardware resources, since the burden that may otherwise be placed on the network, when updated information regarding further vehicles and updated conditions is transmitted, may be avoided.

The second type of vehicle is subsequently requested in response to determining that a second set of conditions are met. The second of conditions are different from the first set of conditions.

A user may access the vehicle requesting service so as to undertake a journey in a requested vehicle using an appropriate user device. An application may run on the user device so as to enable the user to access the service.

An example user device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 1, which shows a schematic, partially sectioned view of a wireless communication device 100. An appropriate wireless communication device 100 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a 'smart phone'. a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on.

A user device 100 may be for example a mobile device, that is, a device not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a stationary device.

The wireless device 100 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 107 via appropriate apparatus for receiving radio signals and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 1, a transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 106. The transceiver apparatus 106 may be provided for example by a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device 100.

The wireless device 100 is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 101, at least one memory 102 and other possible components 103 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 104. The user may control the operation of the wireless device by means of s a suitable user interface such as key pad 105, voice command interface, touch sensitive screen or pad, or combinations thereof or the like. A display 108, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 100 may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices andlor for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

The wireless device 100 may be part of a system used to request vehicles so as to allow a user of the wireless device 100 to undertake a journey, e.g. a minicab ride, in the vehicle. Reference is made to Figure 2, which illustrates such a system.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 200 for implementing some embodiments of the present invention. The system comprises a server 215, which is configured to administer the vehicle request service to users. The server 215 communicates with the user device 100 over the network 210. The network 210 may be a wide area network, such as the Internet. The server 215 also communicates over the network 210 with further communications devices 205, 207. Each of the further communications devices 205, 207 is a device associated with a vehicle that is requested for the user of the user device 100. Each of the further communication devices 205, 207 may be a user device of the driver of the vehicle. Therefore, each of the further communications devices 205, 207 may be substantially the same as the user device 100 described above with respect to Figure 1.

The server 215 comprises a network interface 220, which is used for sending and receiving data with the user device 100 and further communications devices 205, 207 over the network 210. The server 215 additionally comprises at least one processor 225 and at least one memory 230. The at least one processor 225 is configured to receive requests for a vehicle for a journey from the user device 100, the requests including one or more input parameters defining requirements for a vehicle journey.

The at least one processor 225 is configured to process these requests and provide a request to the communication device associated with the appropriate vehicle.

Reference is made to Figure 3, which illustrates a method 300 according to s embodiments of the application. The method 300 may be implemented in the user device 100 or in the server 215 or in another suitable apparatus. The method 300 is performed as a result of computer code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium being executed by at least one processor of the user device 100 or server 215 in communication with at least one memory of the user device 100 or server 215. 10 At S310, a first set of conditions for a journey are stored in the at least one memory. The first set of conditions comprise certain conditions that must be met for a request for a vehicle of a first type to be transmitted. The first set of conditions may comprise one or more of: attainment of a randomly generated outcome; a journey length to be is undertaken by a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum journey length; a distance of the vehicle from a user device location being less than a maximum distance: a number of trips undertaken by vehicles of the first type within a predefined time period being less than a maximum; a number of passengers for the vehicle journey being within a predefined range; a proportion of trips undertaken by a user in a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum; a maximum amount of luggage for the vehicle journey; and a predefined area in which the trip must take place.

At 5320, a second set of conditions for a journey are stored in the at least one memory. The second set of conditions comprises certain conditions that must be met for a request for a vehicle of a second type to be transmitted. The second set of conditions may comprise one or more of: attainment of a randomly generated outcome; a journey length to be undertaken by a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum journey length; a distance of the vehicle from a user device location being less than a maximum distance; a number of trips undertaken by vehicles of the first type within a predefined time period being less than a maximum; a number of passengers for the vehicle journey being within a predefined range; a proportion of trips undertaken by a user in a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum; a maximum amount of luggage for the vehicle journey; and a predefined area in which the trip must take place.

At 5330, a set of parameters relating to a vehicle journey are received. At least some of the set of parameters define user requirements for a vehicle journey. At least some of the parameters may be part of a request for a vehicle journey input by a user. Some of the parameters (such as a user device location) may be received from another communication device or server or determined by the device carrying out the method. The parameters may include a start location of the vehicle journey; a destination of the vehicle journey; a length of the vehicle journey; a location of the user; a location of one or more vehicles (including one or more vehicles of the first type and one or more vehicles of the second type); a number of passengers; and a quantity of luggage to be taken on the journey; an indication of the number of journeys undertaken by a vehicle of the first type. The location of one or more vehicles may comprise the location of one or more devices associated with said vehicles.

At S340, the parameters relating to the vehicle journey are compared to a first set of conditions to determine whether or not the first set of conditions are met for a vehicle of a first type. For example, the first set of conditions may be met if a vehicle of a first type is within 1 mile of the location of the requesting user device 100. In another example, the conditions may be met if the trip length between the start location and destination location is less than 5 miles; and within the greater London area. Any of the conditions discussed may be used or combined together to form a first set of conditions that is applied.

If the first set of conditions are met, at 5350, a request for a vehicle of a first type is transmitted to a further communication device, such as one of devices 205, 207, that are associated with a vehicle of the first type. Step S350 may additionally comprise, prior to transmitting the request, using the set of received parameters to select a subtype of the first type of vehicle. For example, the first type may be a broad category, such as supercars. The method may further comprise selecting a type of supercar from the category of supercars in dependence upon the received parameters. The method then comprises transmitting a request for a vehicle of the selected subtype.

If the first set of conditions are not met, the method proceeds to S360. At 3360, it is determined whether or not the parameters meet the second set of conditions for a vehicle of the second type. The second set of conditions are different from the first set of conditions and so different standards are applied. For example, the second set of conditions may be met if a vehicle of a second type is within 2 miles of the location of the requesting user device 100. Additionally or alternatively, the conditions may be met if the trip length between the start location and destination location is less than 10 miles. Any of the conditions discussed above may be used or combined together to form a second set of conditions that is applied.

If the second set of conditions are met for a vehicle of the second type, at 3370, a request for a vehicle of a second type is transmitted to a further communication device, such as devices 205, 207 that are associated with a vehicle of the second type.

If the second set of conditions are not met for the vehicle of the second type, the method proceeds to S380, where no request for a vehicle of a first type or a second type is transmitted.

The method 300 allows a first set of conditions to be applied to select a vehicle of a 20 first type without applying this same set of conditions to select a vehicle of a second type. The vehicle of the first type may he priority or preferred vehicle to which more stringent conditions are applied.

The first set of conditions may such that one in every hundred vehicle journeys requested by users of the service is undertaken in the vehicle of the first type. This may be explicit in the first set of conditions, e.g. by specifying the maximum proportion of vehicle journeys that may be undertaken in a vehicle of the first type, or it may statistically result on average from the application of the conditions to received parameters. The first set of conditions may include the attainment of a randomly generated outcome, For example, the method may comprise running a random number generator to obtain a random number. The randomly generated outcome may be attained in the case that the random number has a predefined value or is within a predefined range. The first set of conditions may be such that the randomly generated outcome is attained for one in every hundred requests made by a user.

The first set of conditions such that the proportion of vehicle journeys requested by users of the service being undertaken in the vehicle of the first type is dynamically adjustable. For example, the proportion of vehicle journeys being undertaken in the s vehicle of the first type may be adjusted such that one in every fifty journeys is undertaken in the vehicle of the first type. The probability of the randomly generated outcome being attained may be adjustable so as to adjust the proportion of journeys being undertaken in the vehicle of the first type.

The method 300 has the advantage of providing an efficient vehicle searching process by applying a first set of conditions to vehicles of a first type without applying that same set of conditions to vehicles of the second type. This may reduce the burden placed on the network and computing resources that will occur if the searching process applies the same conditions to vehicles of all types. In that case, if no vehicles are determined to be available, the conditions must be expanded to locate an appropriate vehicle, otherwise no vehicle may be located. This results in the retrieval and analysis of additional information, and creates an additional burden on the user. In embodiments of the application, if the first set of conditions are applied to request vehicles of the first type, without being applied to request vehicles of the second type, a decision may rapidly be made to select a vehicle of the first type if the first set of conditions are met or, alternatively, to select a vehicle of the second type if the first set of conditions are not met, hence reducing the demand on computing and network resources and on the burden placed on the user.

As noted. the method 300. may be implemented in a server 215 or in a user device 100.

Reference is made to Figure 4, which illustrates the system 200 in more detail in the case that the method 300 is implement in the server 215. The at least one processor 225 makes use of different data types stored in the at least one memory 230 to determine an appropriate communication device to transmit the request for a vehicle to. The at least one processor 225 is configured to apply a first set of conditions to determine whether or not to transmit the request for a vehicle of a first type.

In this embodiment, the at least one memory 230 stores user data 410, which may comprises data about the user's account, identification information for the user, location information of the user device 100: etc. The server may receive live updates of the user's location information, which it stores as part of user data 410 or may receive updates of the user device's 100 location as part of the vehicle journey request. The memory 230 also stores vehicle data 420, such as information about the location of the different vehicles, and information about the vehicle type. The memory 230 stores request parameters 440 which are received as part of the vehicle journey request from the user device 100. The memory also stores the conditions 430, which are used to determine which communication device a request is to be forwarded to.

The at least one processor 225 is configured to receive a request for a vehicle journey from user device 100. The request comprises one or more request parameters, such as the start/pick up location for the journey, the destination of the journey, the location of the user device 100, the number of passengers to be taken on the journey, the amount of baggage to be taken on the journey, the length (in time or distance) of the journey. These request parameters define requirements for a vehicle journey.

The at least one processor 225 extract these request parameters from the request and stores them in memory 230. The at least one processor 225 applies a first set of the conditions 430 to a plurality of parameters to determine whether or not to transmit a vehicle journey request for a vehicle of a first type. The plurality of parameters comprise the one or more request parameters 440. The plurality of parameters may also comprise vehicle data 420, such as location data of one or more vehicles of the first type. The plurality of parameters may also comprise user data 410, such as an indication of the location of the user device 100.

If the at least one processor 225 determines that the plurality of parameters meet the 30 first set of the conditions 430, the at least processor 225 formulates a request for a vehicle of the first type that is transmitted over the interface 220 to the further communication device 205 associated with a vehicle of the first type, If the at least one processor 225 determines that the plurality of parameters do not meet the first set of the conditions, the at least processor 225 formulates a request for a vehicle of the second type that is transmitted over the interface 220 to the further communication device 207 associated with a vehicle of the second type. The at least one processor 225 determines to transmit the request for a vehicle of the second type in response to determining that the plurality of parameters meet a second set of the conditions 430.

Reference is made to Figure 5, which illustrates a system in more detail in which the 10 method 300 is implement in the user device 100. The user device is shown including at least one processor 101, at least one memory 102, and a communication interface 106, as also shown in Figure 1.

The at least one processor 101 makes use of different data types stored in the at least is one memory 102 to determine an appropriate communication device to transmit the request for a vehicle to. The at least one processor 101 is configured to apply a first set of the conditions 530 to determine whether or not to transmit the request for a vehicle of a first type.

In this embodiment, the at least one memory 230 stores user data 510, which may comprise data about the user's account, identification information for the user, location information of the user device 100, etc. The memory 102 also stores vehicle data 540, such as information about the location of the different vehicles (or devices associated with those vehicles), and information about the vehicle type. The memory 103 also stores request parameters 520. The request parameters 520 may be input by the user using a user interface, such as touch screen. The memory 102 also stores the conditions 530, which are used to determine to which communication device a request is to be forwarded.

The at least one processor 101 is configured to receive a request for a vehicle journey input by the user. The request comprises one or more request parameters, such as the start/pick up location for the journey, the destination of the journey, the location of the user device 100, the number of passengers to be taken on the journey, the amount of baggage to be taken on the journey, the length (in time or distance) of the journey.

The at least one processor 101 extracts these request parameters 520 input by the user and stores them in memory 102. The at least one processor 101 applies a first set of the conditions 530 to a plurality of parameters to determine whether or not to transmit a vehicle journey request for a vehicle of a first type. The plurality of parameters comprise the one or more request parameters 520. The plurality of parameters may also comprise vehicle data 420, such as location data of one or more vehicles of the first type. The plurality of parameters may also comprise user data 410, such as an indication of the location of the user device 100.

If the at least one processor 101 determines that the plurality of parameters meet the first set of the conditions 530, the at least processor 101 formulates a request for a vehicle of the first type that is transmitted over the interface 106 to the further communication device 205 associated with a vehicle of the first type. The request may be transmitted to device 205 via the server 215.

If the at least one processor 101 determines that the plurality of parameters do not meet the first set of the conditions 530, the at least processor 101 formulates a request for a vehicle of the second type that is transmitted over the interface 106 to the further communication device 207 associated with a vehicle of the second type. This request may be transmitted via server 215. The at least one processor 101 determines to transmit the request for a vehicle of the second type in response to determining that the plurality of parameters meet a second set of the conditions 530.

Embodiments of the invention may be applied for use in an application for requesting a minicab ride service. The application provides users with the opportunity to undertake some journeys in a supercar or special car (i.e. a vehicle of the first type). A user making a request for vehicle, makes a request for a minicab through the application. The application may be configured such that one in every hundred (or another number) rides is undertaken in a vehicle of the first type, providing certain conditions are met. The conditions may be one or more of: whether the supercar or special car is within a certain distance of the user's pick up location, whether the trip length is less than a predefined distance (e.g. 5 miles), whether the trip is within the greater London area, and whether the number of passengers and/or the amount of luggage is appropriate for the vehicle of the first type. If these conditions are not met, the user may receive an ordinary vehicle (i.e. a vehicle of the second type) instead of the special car or super car.

It will be understood that the processor or processing system or circuitry referred to herein may in practice be provided by a single chip or integrated circuit or plural chips or integrated circuits, optionally provided as a chipset, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), graphics processing units (OPUS), etc. The chip or chips may :i.o comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry, which are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments. In this regard, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by computer software as stored in (non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware).

Reference is made herein to data storage for storing data. This may be provided by a single device or by plural devices. Suitable devices include, for example, a hard disk and non-volatile semiconductor memory.

Although at least some aspects of the embodiments described herein with reference to the drawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems or processors, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of non-transitory source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other non-transitory form suitable for use in the implementation of processes according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD) or other semiconductor-based RAM; a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM; a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or hard disk; optical memory devices in general; etc. The examples described herein are to be understood as illustrative examples of embodiments of the invention. Further embodiments and examples are envisaged. Any feature described in relation to any one example or embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features. In addition, any feature described in relation to any one example or embodiment may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples or embodiments, or any combination of any other of the examples or embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described herein may also be employed within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code: the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: storing a first set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a first type; storing a second set cf conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a second type, wherein the second set of conditions differs from the first set of conditions; receiving a plurality of parameters, at least some of said plurality of parameters defining requirements for a vehicle journey; in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, transmitting a request for a vehicle of the first type; and in response to determining that the plurality of parameters meet the second set of conditions but do not meet the first set of conditions, transmitting a request for the vehicle of the second type.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters comprise at least one of: a start location of the vehicle journey; a destination of the vehicle journey; a length of the vehicle journey; a location of a user device; a location of one or more vehicle devices; and a number of passengers specified.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first set of conditions comprises attainment of a randomly generated outcome.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a journey length to be undertaken by a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum journey length.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a distance of the vehicle from a user device location being less than a maximum distance.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a number of trips undertaken by vehicles of the first type within a predefined time period being less than a maximum.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a number of passengers for the vehicle journey being within a predefined range.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a proportion of trips undertaken by a user in vehicles of the first type being less than a maximum.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, selecting a subtype of the first type of vehicle in dependence upon the parameters; and transmitting a request for a vehicle of the subtype.
10. A user device comprising the apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the user device comprises a user interface configured to receive at least some of the plurality of parameters from user input.
11. A server comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the server is configured to receive at least some of the plurality of parameters from a user device.
12. A method comprising: storing a first set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a first type; storing a first set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a first type; storing a second set of conditions defined for a journey to be undertaken by a vehicle of a second type, wherein the second set of conditions differs from the first set of conditions; receiving a plurality of parameters, at least some of said plurality of parameters defining requirements for a vehicle journey; in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, transmitting a request for a vehicle of the first type; and in response to determining that the plurality of parameters meet the second set of conditions but do not meet the first set of conditions, transmitting a request for the vehicle of the second type.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of parameters comprise at least one of: a start location of the vehicle journey; a destination of the vehicle journey; a length of the vehicle journey; a location of a user device; a location of one or more vehicle devices; and a number of passengers specified.
14. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first set of conditions comprises attainment of a randomly generated outcome.
15. A method according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a journey length to be undertaken by a vehicle of the first type being less than a maximum journey length.
16. A method according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a distance of the vehicle from a user device location being less than a maximum distance.
17. A method according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a number of trips undertaken by vehicles of the first type within a predefined time period being less than a maximum.
18. A method according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a number of passengers for the vehicle journey being within a predefined range.
19. A method according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the first set of conditions comprises a proportion of trips undertaken by a user in vehicles of the first type being 15 less than a maximum.
20. A method according to any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the method comprises: in response to determining that the first set of conditions are met for the plurality of parameters, selecting a subtype of the first type of vehicle in dependence upon the 20 parameters; and transmitting a request for a vehicle of the subtype.
21. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform a method according to any of claims 12 to 20.