Automated, door-to-door, demand-responsive public transportation system

Claim 2

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination not necessarily located identically to said driver-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other even though such respective origins and destinations are not located identically to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to the respective origin of a ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said ride-user register means further includes means for selectively registering variable ride-user-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 wherein said central coordinating station includes means automatically responsive to said ride-request electromagnetic signals for transmitting ride-user-identifying electromagnetic signals, indicative of the identity of a respective ride-user who has transmitted said ride-request signals, to a respective driver with which said respective ride-user has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said ride-user-identifying electromagnetic signals.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said driver register means includes means for selectively registering variable amounts of space in a respective vehicle and transmitting to said central coordinating station space-indicating electromagnetic signals indicative of the amount of space available in the respective vehicle.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said ride-user register means includes means for selectively registering variable amounts of space required and transmitting to said central coordinating station space-identifying electromagnetic signals indicative of the amount of space required.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said driver register means includes means for selectively registering variable times when a driver intends to travel between a respective origin and destination and transmitting to said central coordinating station time-indicating electromagnetic signals indicative of said time.

Claim 8

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said ride-user register means includes means for selectively registering variable times when a ride-user requests transportation between a respective origin and destination and transmitting to said central coordinating station time-indicating electromagnetic signals indicative of said time.

Claim 9

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said receiver means comprises means for visually displaying variable messages.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said register means includes means for digitally registering variable information.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10, further including transmitting ride-user identifying electromagnetic signals, indicative of the identity of a respective ride-user, to a respective driver with which said respective ride-user has been so matched.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10, further including receiving space-indicating electromagnetic signals indicative of the amount of space made available by a respective driver in connection with a respective ride offer, receiving space-identifying electromagnetic signals indicative of the amount of space requested by a respective ride-user in connection with a respective ride request, comparing said respective space-identifying electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations bear said predetermined geographical relationship to each other and wherein the amount of space made available by the respective driver is at least as great as the amount of space requested by the respective ride-user.

Claim 15

The method of claim 10, further including receiving time-indicating electromagnetic signals indicative of the time for which a respective ride-offer is made available by a respective driver, receiving time-indicating electromagnetic signals indicative of the time for which a respective ride is requested by a respective ride-user, comparing said respective time-indicating electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations bear said predetermined geographical relationship to each other and whose respective times as indicated by said respective time-indicating signals are both within a predetermined time period.

Claim 16

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) at least some of said respective driver terminal means comprising mobile terminals in said vehicles which are in wireless communication with said central coordinating station, each of said mobile terminals having driver-register means which includes means for selectively registering variable driver-selected origins from a plurality of possible origins having no predetermined route relationship to one another.

Claim 17

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) at least some of said respective driver terminal means comprising mobile terminals in said vehicles which are in wireless communication with said central coordinating station, each of said mobile terminals having driver-register means which includes means for selectively registering variable driver-selected origins from a plurality of possible origins having no predetermined route relationship to one another.

Claim 18

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectivety for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including means automatically responsive to said ride-offer electromagnetic signals for transmitting vehicle-identifying electromagnetic signals, indicative of the identity of the vehicle driven by a respective driver who has transmitted said ride-offer signals, to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said ride-user terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said vehicle-identifying electromagnetic signals.

Claim 19

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectivety for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including means automatically responsive to said ride-offer electromagnetic signals for transmitting vehicle-identifying electromagnetic signals, indicative of the identity of the vehicle driven by a respective driver who has transmitted said ride-offer signals, to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said ride-user terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said vehicle-identifying electromagnetic signals.

Claim 20

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication munication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including means automatically responsive to said ride-request electromagnetic signals for transmitting origin-identifying electromagnetic signals, indicative of the origin of a respective ride-user who has transmitted said ride-request signals, to a respective driver with which said respective ride-user has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said origin-identifying signals.

Claim 21

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication munication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including means automatically responsive to said ride-request electromagnetic signals for transmitting origin-identifying electromagnetic signals, indicative of the origin of a respective ride-user who has transmitted said ride-request signals, to a respective driver with which said respective ride-user has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said origin-identifying signals.

Claim 22

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) each of said driver register means including means for selectively registering variable driver identities and variable coded identity-verification indicia associated with each driver identity, said system further including storage means containing security data matching driver identities with predetermined coded identity-verification indicia associated with each driver identity and means automatically responsive to said driver register means for comparing said driver identities and coded identity-vertification indicia registered thereon with said security data.

Claim 23

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) each of said driver register means including means for selectively registering variable driver identities and variable coded identity-verification indicia associated with each driver identity, said system further including storage means containing security data matching driver identities with predetermined coded identity-verification indicia associated with each driver identity and means automatically responsive to said driver register means for comparing said driver identities and coded identity-vertification indicia registered thereon with said security data.

Claim 24

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) each of said ride-user register means including means for selectively registering variable ride-user identities and variable coded identity-verfication indicia associated with each ride-user identity, said system further including storage means containing security data matching ride-user identities with predetermined coded identity-verification indicia associated with each ride-user identity and means automatically responsive to said ride-user register means for comparing said ride-user identities and coded identity-verification indicia registered thereon with said security data.

Claim 25

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) each of said ride-user register means including means for selectively registering variable ride-user identities and variable coded identity-verfication indicia associated with each ride-user identity, said system further including storage means containing security data matching ride-user identities with predetermined coded identity-verification indicia associated with each ride-user identity and means automatically responsive to said ride-user register means for comparing said ride-user identities and coded identity-verification indicia registered thereon with said security data.

Claim 26

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including storage means containing variable eligibility data regarding the eligibility of respective vehicles to provide transportation and means automatically responsive to said ride-offer electromagnetic signals for comparing the identity of a respective vehicle for which said ride-offer signals have been transmitted with the eligibility data pertaining to said respective vehicle.

Claim 27

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including storage means containing variable eligibility data regarding the eligibility of respective vehicles to provide transportation and means automatically responsive to said ride-offer electromagnetic signals for comparing the identity of a respective vehicle for which said ride-offer signals have been transmitted with the eligibility data pertaining to said respective vehicle.

Claim 28

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including storage means containing variable eligibility data regarding the eligibility of respective drivers to provide transportation and means automatically responsive to said ride-offer electromagnetic signals for comparing the identity of a respective driver who has transmitted said ride-offer signals with the eligibility data pertaining to said respective driver.

Claim 29

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including storage means containing variable eligibility data regarding the eligibility of respective drivers to provide transportation and means automatically responsive to said ride-offer electromagnetic signals for comparing the identity of a respective driver who has transmitted said ride-offer signals with the eligibility data pertaining to said respective driver.

Claim 30

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station and said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including storage means containing variable eligibility data regarding the eligibility of respective ride-users to obtain transportation and means automatically responsive to said ride-request electromagnetic signals for comparing the identity of a respective ride-user who has transmitted said ride-request signals with the eligibility data pertaining to said respective ride-user.

Claim 31

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user-selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station and said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) said central coordinating station including storage means containing variable eligibility data regarding the eligibility of respective ride-users to obtain transportation and means automatically responsive to said ride-request electromagnetic signals for comparing the identity of a respective ride-user who has transmitted said ride-request signals with the eligibility data pertaining to said respective ride-user.

Claim 32

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) at least some of said respective terminal means including register means for registering variable geographical location-identifying coded indicia each uniquely associated with a respective origin or destination, said system further including storage means containing data matching geographical descriptions of respective origins or destinations with said respective coded indicia and means automatically responsive to the entry of a respective one of said coded indicia on said register means for transmitting electromagnetic signals indicative of the respective geographical description matched by said storage means with said respective one of said coded indicia.

Claim 33

An automatic system for providing public ride-user access to transportation by driver-operated vehicles, each vehicle having independent variable origins and destinations and routes therebetween determined by its driver, said system comprising: (a) a central coordinating station comprising means for receiving ride-offer electromagnetic signals, indicative of driver-selected origins and destinations, and ride-request electromagnetic signals, indicative of ride-user selected origins and destinations, respectively; (b) respective driver terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said driver terminal means including driver register means for registering a driver-selected origin and variable driver-selected destinations from a plurality of possible destinations having no predetermined route relationship to one another and means for transmitting to said station said ride-offer electromagnetic signals; (c) respective ride-user terminal means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station, each of said ride-user terminal means including ride-user register means for registering a ride-user-selected origin and destination and means for transmitting to said station said ride-request electromagnetic signals; (d) said central coordinating station including logical circuitry means automatically responsive to said ride-offer and ride-request electromagnetic signals respectively for comparing said respective electromagnetic signals with each other and matching together a respective driver and ride-user whose respective origins and destinations as indicated by said signals bear a predetermined geographical relationship to each other; (e) said central coordinating station further including means automatically responsive to said respective electromagnetic signals for transmitting electromagnetic message signals to a respective driver directing said respective driver to a respective ride-user with which said respective driver has been so matched, each of said driver terminal means having receiver means in telecommunication with said central coordinating station for receiving said electromagnetic message signals; (f) at least some of said respective terminal means including register means for registering variable geographical location-identifying coded indicia each uniquely associated with a respective origin or destination, said system further including storage means containing data matching geographical descriptions of respective origins or destinations with said respective coded indicia and means automatically responsive to the entry of a respective one of said coded indicia on said register means for transmitting electromagnetic signals indicative of the respective geographical description matched by said storage means with said respective one of said coded indicia.

Claim 34

The system of claim 22 wherein said storage means includes means containing data matching geographical descriptions of both an origin and a destination with a respective one of said coded indicia and means responsive to the entry of said respective one of said coded indicia on said register means for transmitting electromagnetic signals indicative of both of said geographical descriptions.

Claim 35

The system of claim 22 or 23 wherein at least some of said respective terminal means includes said storage means as a portion thereof remote from said central coordinating station.

Claim 36

The system of claim 22 or 23 wherein at least some of said respective terminal means include means for permitting at least a portion of said storage means to be selectively connected operatively and removably to said terminal means from the exterior thereof by a user of said terminal means.