WO2013164660A1

WO2013164660A1 - Taxi, taxicab, or vehicle-for-hire, automatic vacancy status and availability detection technique and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2013164660A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wai Tung CHU; Kwok Man Clement LEE; Kim Fong Lao
Original assignee: Chu Wai Tung; Lee Kwok Man Clement
Priority date: 2012-04-30
Filing date: 2012-04-30
Publication date: 2013-11-07

Abstract

The invention presented in this application is a method and apparatus to automatically detect vacancy "status" of the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle. By implementing an electrical relay connection to the rooftop lamp or light, or along the wires that connect between the taxi, taxicab meter and to the rooftop lamp. The focus of the novelty is the method to receive "status" signal through the wiring connection between the taxi, taxicab meter and the rooftop lamp component with a voltage-to-serial converter circuit board. In the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle, the taxi, taxicab meter status mode dictate whether or not if the vehicle is available for hire. When the taxi, taxicab meter is at the "off" mode, the rooftop lamp is on, which this is the indication of taxi, taxicab is available for hire. When the taxi, taxicab meter is at the "on" mode, the rooftop lamp is now off, which this is the indication of the taxi, taxicab is unavailable. There are three options to use for retrieving the taxi meter status signal in this invention. First option, a wired USB serial cable that connects to a voltage-to-serial converter, a serial output through the USB connector into the USB port of the computing device installed in the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle, which the voltage side of the voltage-to-serial converter is connected with one of the wires that connect between the taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp. Second option, a RS-232 serial cable that connects to a voltage-to-serial converter, a serial output through the connector into the serial port of the computing device installed in the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle, which the voltage side of the voltage-to-serial converter is connected with one of the wires that connect between the taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp. Third option, a bluetooth serial port profile (spp) transmitter and a receiver will be used to serve the same function as the wired RS-232 cable or USB cable; however, with the open wireless communication protocol. The bluetooth transmitter will connect with the serial side of a voltage-to-serial converter, which the voltage side of the voltage-to-serial converter is connected with one of the wires that connect between taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp, and the bluetooth receiver that can be internal or external, which will be reside at the computing device inside the taxi, taxicab vehicle. Once, serial signal is collected by the computing device inside the taxi, taxicab vehicle, a program application will output this "status" data by the mean of internet, either 3G or other mobile data network connection, for the use of automated vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab calling and booking service through internet website, smart phone apps or by other mobile data exchange method.

Description

TAXI, TAXICAB, OR VEHICLE-FOR-HIRE, AUTOMATIC VACANCY STATUS AND AVAILABILITY DETECTION TECHNIQUE AND APPARATUS

Technical Field

This invention relates to a method and apparatus to detect the vacancy or availability of a vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle, a computing device in the vehicle to receive signal from a component that connects to the taxi, taxicab meter. In this method presented in this application, we use the electronic relay that provides electrical power to the rooftop light or lamp, or the wires along the connection from the taxi, taxicab meter and or electric power source to the rooftop lamp of the vehicle-for-hire, taxi, or taxicab vehicle. Transmittal, in computer science, by serialization with component through an electronic protocol with three options. First, with bluetooth serial port profile (spp) standard, a proprietary open wireless technology. Second, through a wired USB serial cable method, and third, by RS-232 serial cable. This signal will then be translated to information, through internet connections, the information of the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab availability will be processed through a system application to be used for vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab booking or calling service, or other vehicle-for-hire, taxi, taxicab electronic processing service, in the form of smart phone apps or internet website, or by telephone mobile data exchange method.

Background Art

In the vehicle-for-hire and taxi, taxicab industry, commonly, a taxi, taxicab meter has a "hired" on or off mode to indicate rather or not if the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle is available or not. When the hired mode is "on", it represents this vehicle is unavailable, and when the hired mode is "off", the vehicle is now available. For automated vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab booking or calling service, it is important to have a self efficient electronic system that can provides active data of the vehicle status.

In a Korean patent abstracts, an application number 1020050011274 utilizes the bluetooth technology for short distance open wireless transmission of information. This apparatus claims to make direct connection with a taxi, taxicab meter, which differentiate our method describes in the present application. There are no other prior art that has similar system.

Also in a Korean patent abstracts, an application number 1020070019178, which it claims for a taxi calling system with produce boarding data and empty car data; however, there is no detail to explain how the data is captured and the method to collect such data, and process the data.

The novelty to this method lies on the vacancy signal detection apparatus. A computing serial component, which can be assemble in three ways, first (1), equipped with a bluetooth serial port profile (spp) transmitter that is connected to the vehicle rooftop lamp or lighting equipment of a taxi, taxicab. Second (2), to use a wired USB serial component to connect to the rooftop lamp, and third (3), by using a RS-232 serial cable to also connects to the rooftop lamp. With a voltage convert to serial signal method, the electronic relay and connection to be used in detecting a power source. In the normal operation of a taxi, taxicab vehicle, when taxi or taxicab meter is at the hired mode off, this represent no customers in the vehicle and it is available for hire. Whereas, when the taxi or taxicab meter hired mode is on, the vehicle is not available, which indicate the taxi, taxicab is hired with customer in the vehicle. Each vehicle-for-hire, mainly in the taxi or taxicab industry, all vehicle are equipped with a rooftop lamp or light signal that turns on when the vehicle is available for hire, and light off, when the taxi, taxicab is unavailable. The invention of the present application utilizes the electrical power source relays to the lamp of the taxi, taxicab rooftop signage component, which electricity comes on and off voltage signal to be sent to a serial converter component that connects and equips with either bluetooth transmitter, then, a bluetooth receiver reside and connects to a computing device internally or external, or a wired USB serial cable, or a RS-232 serial cable, that can be connected to the computing device in the taxi or taxicab vehicle that captures the vacancy information, which signaled by the lamp, to be used for internet vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab calling or booking service.

Technical Problem

The current challenge to automatically detect the vacancy of the vehicle-for-hire or taxi or taxicab vehicle requires connection directly to the taxi or taxicab meter, for example, per the prior art viewed on the Korean patent application number 1020050011274, a connection to the taxi, taxicab meter claims to deliver a signal that transmit through bluetooth technology. It is uncleared how a signal of the hired mode is captured, nor where the connection is made at the taxi, taxicab meter from this prior art method. In addition, with taxi, taxicab industry world wide, mostly regulated in the majority of the operation regions, it is further a challenge to request for permission to alter or modify a taxicab or taxi meter.

Technical Solution

The invention apparatus in the present application provides step by step solution to overcome the challenge and produce a turn key solution in delivering the "status" of the hired mode signal in the manners by bluetooth serial port profile (spp), an open wireless protocol, or connects with a wired USB voltage to serial cable connection, or by using RS-232 serial cable connection, with a voltage to serial circuit board converter; however, with a quick electrical voltage connection to the taxi, taxicab rooftop lamp or along the wires that connect between taxi, taxicab meter, electric power source and to the rooftop lamp or light as our novelty, a bluetooth transmitter, which delivers signal wirelessly to a bluetooth receiver at a computing device, or a direct USB wire, or RS-232 serial cable, connection between the rooftop lamp to a computing device inside the taxi, taxicab vehicle. By a mean of internet or mobile network, the information will be sent to a system for the purpose of taxi, taxicab or vehicle-for-hire booking and calling service, by smart phone apps, website, or telephone mobile data exchange method.

Advantageous Effects

By using the method describes in the present application, there is no alternation, nor immediate connection to the taxi, taxicab meter is required. This way, the method is more acceptable to allow the industry to experience the automated live vacancy status for the vehicle-for-hire and taxi, taxicab booking or calling service. The connection to the rooftop lamp provides safe environment to the taxi, taxicab meter in avoiding unnecessary technical failure cause by modification or intrusion to the physical taxi, taxicab meter

Description of Drawings

In figure 1, this is a source of electricity as power source to all the electronic of a taxi, taxicab vehicle, such as a battery.

In figure 2, a taxi, taxicab meter, which receives source of electricity from figure 1, and has connection to rooftop lamp or light.

In figure 3, a taxi, taxicab rooftop lamp or light, which connects to taxi, taxicab meter per figure 2, to receive source of power and "status" on / off mode signal.

in figure 4, this is a voltage to serial converter, which contain a circuit boad to process the conversion.

In figure 5, this is a computing device, which to process data and information.

In figure 6, a bluetooth open wireless device with serial port profile (spp), this is a transmitter to send wireless signal.

In figure 7, this is a bluetooth serial port profile (spp) receiver to receive data signal from the bluetooth transmitter connects to the rooftop lamp.

In figure 8, this is a USB cable that provide connections between the rooftop lamp and computing device through a voltage to serial converter.

In figure 9, this is a RS-232 serial cable that connects between the rooftop lamp and computing device through a voltage to serial converter

In figure 10, this represent the world wide web, also known as internet cloud.

In figure 11, a computing device, also known as a server.

In figure 12, this represent related program applications for vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab booking and calling service.

Best Mode

In this section, we will provide step-by-step instructions to setup the taxi, taxicab vacancy detection apparatus. The inventive steps lie on the relationship of the component in the surrounding at the rooftop lamp or light of the taxi, taxicab vehicle and the voltage to serial conversion.

As we have three options for the connection between the rooftop lamp signal and the computing device in the taxi, taxicab vehicle, all options can provide serial data, either through a wired USB cable, RS-232 serial cable, or a bluetooth open wireless protocol with using the serial port profile.

First (step 1), we will disassemble the rooftop lamp to test for power source and taxi, taxicab meter signal to make sure that when the meter is at "On" mode, no electricity will be supplied, whereas, the meter is at "Off" mode, electric power source will be supplied to turn on the lamp or light at the rooftop.

Next (step 2), from the two electrical wires, positive and negative, that is providing the power source to the rooftop lamp, we will cut the positive wire.

Next (step 3), we will connect the voltage to serial converter to the positive wire of the rooftop lamp, which was cut from Step 2. The voltage side of the converter has two wires, a positive and negative wires, we will connect the positive of the voltage converter wire to one end of the cut wire of the rooftop lamp, and the negative wire to the other end of the cut wire of the rooftop lamp, either one of the positive or negative wires to connect with either side of the cut positive wires of the rooftop lamp will serve the solution for the same result, see figure 4.

Next (step 4), we will connect the USB serial cable, one end with the USB connector plug into the computing device.

Next (step 5), at the USB serial cable, the other end with a positive and negative wires, we will connect to the serial side of the converter, positive from USB to the positive at the converter, and negative from the USB to the negative at the converter serial end.

Next (step 6), a daemon, in computing, a small program application that runs in the background to process computer tasks. We will install a daemon in the computing device of our taxi, taxicab vehicle.

Next (step 7), a voltage signal is sent from the rooftop lamp to the voltage serial converter, through conversion, a serial signal output is sent to the wired USB cable, and is detected at the USB port of the computing device.

Next (step 7), a daemon reside at the computing device of the taxi, taxicab vehicle will translate the data for our custom taxi, taxicab booking or calling program application as "status" of the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab, which define as the vehicle vacancy "status".

Next (step 8), since our computing device in the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle is equipped with 3G or mobile data connections, the "status" is now submitted into the internet cloud, also known as the World Wide Web, it will be sent to a specific computing machine to be identified with an unique internet protocol address, also known as IP address.

Next (step 9), from the internet, the "status" data reaches the server computing device per figure 11 in our description, a custom vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab booking and calling program application will process the "status" data.

Next (step 10), with the "status" data processed, the taxi, taxicab booking or calling application has the information necessary to determine if the taxi, taxicab is vacant or not. This will end the first option with USB type connection.

The following procedures will serve as the second option for the connection between the rooftop lamp signal and the computing device in the taxi, taxicab vehicle.

At (step 11), we will repeat step 1 and 2 from this Best Mode section.

At (step 12), we will repeat step 3, connect the voltage to serial converter to the positive wire of the rooftop lamp, which was cut from Step 2. The voltage side of the converter has two wires, a positive and negative wires, we will connect the positive of the voltage converter wire to one end of the cut wire of the rooftop lamp, and the negative wire to the other end of the cut wire of the rooftop lamp, either one of the positive or negative wires to connect with either side of the cut positive wires of the rooftop lamp will serve the solution for the same result, see figure 4.

At (step 13), we will replace step 4, connect the RS-232 serial cable, one end with the RS-232 connector plug into serial port of the computing device.

At (step 14), we will replace step 5, at the RS-232 serial cable, the one end that is not connected to the computing device, we will connect to the serial side of the voltage to serial converter to the RS-232 serial cable, mainly to provide contact to the pin/wires 2,3, and 5 or (pin 7) of the serial cable plug that manage the transmit data, receive data and signal ground.

At (step 15), repeat step 6.

At (step 16), replace step 7, a voltage signal is sent from the rooftop lamp to the voltage serial converter, through conversion, a serial signal output is sent through the RS-232 serial cable, and is detected at the serial port of the computing device.

At (step 17), repeat step 8.

At (step 18), repeat step 9.

At (step 19), repeat step 10. This will end the second option with the RS-232 serial cable option.

The following procedures will serve as the third option for the connection between the rooftop lamp signal and the computing device in the taxi, taxicab vehicle.

At (step 20), we will repeat step 1 and 2 from this Best Mode section.

At (step 21), we will repeat step 3, connect the voltage to serial converter to the positive wire of the rooftop lamp, which was cut from Step 2. The voltage side of the converter has two wires, a positive and negative wires, we will connect the positive of the voltage converter wire to one end of the cut wire of the rooftop lamp, and the negative wire to the other end of the cut wire of the rooftop lamp, either one of the positive or negative wires to connect with either side of the cut positive wires of the rooftop lamp will serve the solution for the same result, see figure 4.

At (step 22), we will replace step 4, an internal or external bluetooth receiver with serial port profile (spp) is installed at the computing device located in the taxi, taxicab vehicle.

At (step 23), we will replace step 5, at the bluetooth serial port profile (spp) transmitter, with serial connector to the serial side of the voltage to serial converter.

At (step 24), we will repeat step 6.

At (step 25), replace step 7, a voltage signal is sent from the rooftop lamp to the voltage serial converter, through conversion, a serial signal output is sent to the bluetooth serial port profile transmitter, through open wireless bluetooth signal, and is detected at the internal or external bluetooth serial port profile receiver of the computing device.

Next (step 26), repeat step 8 and step 9 of this Best Mode section.

At (step 27), repeat step 10, This will end the third option with the bluetooth serial port profile option.

Mode for Invention

The novelty of the invention presented in this application center on the voltage-to-serial converter, and working with the apparatus that connects to the component of the rooftop lamp or light at the vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle, including the wires that runs along and connect the taxi, taxicab meter to the rooftop lamp. It is non-obvious to utilize the method stated herein as there is no prior-art with the same system exist. Common method rely on connection to the actual taxi, taxicab meter, whereas, this invention bypass the complexity and avoid intrusion of taxi, taxicab meter.

Industrial Applicability

The invention presented in this application is a solution for the vehicle-for-hire and taxi, taxicab industry. Application includes detection of taxi, taxicab vehicle vacancy status, which then translate to data information for automated taxi, taxicab booking and calling service. This will replace the traditional method of manually contacting the driver of the taxi, taxicab vehicle by telephone or Citizens' Band Radio, also known as CB Radio, to get the availability status update verbally. The invention presented in this application will change the way vehicle-for-hire industry to conduct business, be more self-efficient, will increase business transaction, and also provide a new channel for the consumer to dispatch a taxi, taxicab with an automated booking or calling system.

Claims

A method of detecting the vacancy status of the vehicle-for-hire and taxi, taxicab vehicle automatically will involve the following steps and components.

(1) A vehicle-for-hire or taxi, taxicab vehicle with a taxi, taxicab meter

(2) An electronic taxi, taxicab meter

(3) A rooftop lamp or light.

(4) An electrical wire connections between taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp.

(5) A voltage to serial converter circuit board.

(6) As one of the three options, an USB serial cable equipped with one end contain positive and negative wires, and the other end with a USB standard connector.

(7) As one of the three options, a RS-232 serial cable.

(8) As one of the three options, the third option is to use a bluetooth serial port profile (spp) open wireless protocol in place for the serial cables. This bluetooth serial connection equips with a transmitter, and a bluetooth receiver.

(9) A computing device to be installed in the taxi, taxicab vehicle.

(10) A method to detect the vacancy status signal, which an interception will take place at the wired connections between the taxi, taxicab meter and the rooftop lamp. By using a voltage to serial converter in connecting a RS-232 cable, serial USB cable, or bluetooth wireless connection to perform a wiretap action, the same vacancy status signal that sends to rooftop lamp from the taxi, taxicab meter will also be collected by the serial connections through a voltage to serial converter, which then routed to the computing device in the taxi, taxicab vehicle for data processing.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: an electronic taxi, taxicab meter that equips with the function of status mode "On and Off". When a taxi, taxicab vehicle is available for hire, the mode is "Off", whereas, when the mode is "On", the taxi, taxicab vehicle is no longer available.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: a taxi, taxicab meter as described in the Claim number 2, having an electrical wire connection to the rooftop lamp.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: a voltage-to-serial converter with a circuit board, which provide conversion of the voltage signal received from the rooftop lamp, then, output as serial signal to the serial component described in this present application.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: an interception, a wiretap action takes place at the connection at Claim number 3.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: an USB serial cable to be used as interception at Claim number 5, which this USB cable will connect to the serial side of the voltage to serial converter per Claim number 4, whereas the voltage side of the converter connects to one of the two electrical wires that route to the rooftop lamp. Either one of the positive or the negative wires that connect the taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp per Claim number 3 can be used to divert the "status" signal to the USB serial cable through a voltage to serial converter as described in the Best Mode.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: a RS-232 serial cable to be used as interception at Claim number 5, which this serial cable will connect to the serial side of the voltage to serial converter per Claim number 4, whereas the voltage side of the converter connects to one of the two electrical wires that route to the rooftop lamp. Either one of the positive or the negative wires that connect the taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp per Claim number 3 can be used to divert the "status" signal to the RS-232 serial cable through a voltage to serial converter as described in the Best Mode.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: a bluetooth open wireless protocol serial connection to be used as interception at Claim number 5, which the bluetooth transmitter will connect to the serial side of the voltage to serial converter per Claim number 4, whereas the voltage side of the converter connects to one of the two electrical wires that route to the rooftop lamp. Either one of the positive or the negative wires that connect the taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp per Claim number 3 can be used to divert the "status" signal to the bluetooth transmitter, then, data to be sent wireless to a bluetooth receiver as described in the Best Mode.
A method as claimed in Claim number 1 wherein: a computing device, which installed in the taxi, taxicab vehicle having an electronic serial connection by either, an USB serial cable connection per Claim number 6, or RS232 serial cable connection per Claim number 7, or by bluetooth serial port profile (spp) open wireless serial connection per Claim number 8.
A computing device per Claim number 9, will process data collected by the serial connection as in Claim number 6, 7 or Claim number 8, having an interception at the wires that connect between taxi, taxicab meter and rooftop lamp per Claim number 5.
By internet connection, the data of the vacancy "status" at the taxi, taxicab vehicle will be sent by a computing device per Claim number 8, through the world wide web to reach a program application reside at a server computing device, which then, the application will produce a "status" information for the use of automated taxi, taxicab booking or calling service.