System and Method for Facilitating Location of Driver-Participants of Car Transportation Systems

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating location of driver-participants in car transportation systems is provided. The system includes a network-independent signal emitting device and an electronic device, each in communication with a car transportation system. The signal emitting device corresponds to a driver-participant of the car transportation system while the electronic device corresponds to a passenger-participant of the car transportation system. The signal emitting device is configured to transmit a signal including location data. The signal includes a unique identifier that associates the signal emitting device with the driver-participant of the car transportation system. The electronic device is configured to receive the signal and display the driver-participant's location. A logic is configured to recognize the unique identifier transmitted by the signal emitting device, ascertain the location of the signal emitting device based on the location data transmitted by the signal, and direct the passenger-participant to that location.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A method for facilitating location of driver-participants of car transportations systems, comprising:
 transmitting a number corresponding to a unique identifier to an electronic device;   retrieving location data of a signal emitting device;   transmitting the location data of the signal emitting device to the electronic device;   
       wherein the electronic device is in communication with a car transportation system;
 storing the number corresponding to the unique identifier in a memory; 
 retrieving the number from the memory upon the wireless transceiver receiving a radio signal from the signal emitting device; 
 comparing the retrieved number to the unique identifier transmitted with the received radio signal; 
 determining a match; 
 
       recognizing the signal emitting device and ascertaining the location of the signal emitting device based on the location data transmitted therewith. 
     
     
         2 ) The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a driver-participant of the car transportation system;   a passenger-participant of the car transportation system;   wherein the signal emitting device corresponds to a vehicle of the driver-participant, the signal emitting device including the first processor, the first memory, and the first logic;   wherein the electronic device corresponds to the passenger-participant, the electronic device including the second processor, the second memory, and the second logic.   
     
     
         3 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal emitting device is independent of a network or internet connection. 
     
     
         4 ) The method of  claim 3 , wherein the signal emitting device is configured to transmit the radio signal absent a network or internet connection. 
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 2 , wherein the signal emitting device includes an electronic device through which the driver-participant utilizes the car transportation system. 
     
     
         6 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal emitting device comprises a beacon. 
     
     
         7 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitted by the signal emitting device includes high frequency radio waves transmitting at a transmit power ranging from 4-8 decibel-milliwatts (dBm). 
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 6 , wherein the radio signal is configured to have a signal range of 50-90 meters. 
     
     
         9 ) The method and method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is transmitted over an interval between ten times per second and one time per second. 
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal emitting device includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the signal and a wireless receiver in communication with the car transportation system. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic user interface includes an input for controlling and manipulating the graphic user interface. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the location of the signal emitting device and the location of the electronic device on the map; and
 providing navigation directions towards the signal emitting device via the graphic user interface.   
     
     
         13 ) A method for facilitating location of driver-participants of car transportations systems, comprising:
 transmitting a unique identifier to an electronic device;   retrieving location data of a signal emitting device;   transmitting the location data of the signal emitting device to the electronic device;   storing the unique identifier in a memory;   retrieving unique identifier upon the wireless transceiver receiving   a signal from the signal emitting device;   comparing retrieved unique identifier to the unique identifier transmitted with the received radio signal;   determining a match;   
       recognizing the signal emitting device and ascertaining the location of the signal emitting device based on the location data transmitted therewith.