Patent Application
20190066249
The subject disclosure relates to rideshare services, and more specifically to monitoring user behavior in a ride share system.
Real-time ridesharing (also called dynamic, on-demand or instant ridesharing) is an automated service that matches drivers and users requesting one-way ridesharing services on very short notice. Real-time ridesharing (ridesharing) typically employs some form of navigation services/devices, applications for drivers to receive notifications for passenger pickup and applications for users to request ridesharing services. Ridesharing functionality in light of new technologies, for example, autonomous vehicles, are increasingly being considered.
Autonomous vehicles are automobiles that have the ability to operate and navigate without human input. Autonomous vehicles use sensors, such as radar, LIDAR, global positioning systems, and computer vision, to detect the vehicle's surroundings. Advanced computer control systems interpret the sensory input information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacles and relevant signage. Some autonomous vehicles update map information in real time to remain aware of the autonomous vehicle's location even if conditions change or the vehicle enters an uncharted environment. Autonomous vehicles increasingly communicate with remote computer systems via wireless network connections and with one another using dedicated short-range communications (DSRC).
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that receives feedback from both a subsequent (next) rider and a vehicle, in which a ride sharing service has provided to a previous occupant, as inputs to a vehicle sharing point/demerit matrix which awards points to recognize and encourage positive ridership behavior and assigns demerits to recognize and discourage negative ridership behavior.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method for rideshare behavior monitoring is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a processor, feedback from a next rider. The method further includes receiving, by the processor, feedback from a rideshare service transport. The method further includes generating, by the processor, a rideshare behavior score for a previous occupant of the rideshare service transport based on the feedback from the next rider and the feedback from the rideshare service transport. The method further includes correlating, by the processor, the rideshare behavior score with a plurality of possible actions. The method further includes selecting, by the processor, one or more possible actions based on the correlation. The method also includes implementing, by the processor, the one or more possible actions.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, one or more actions of the described method can additionally include vehicle mitigation which can include cleaning the rideshare service transport, repairing the rideshare service transport or maintenance for the rideshare service transports. Another action of the one or more possible actions is providing incentives to a rider for good behavior and providing dis-incentives to a rider for poor behavior. Feedback from the next rider can be associated with at least one of vehicle cleanliness, odors, rider section damage, and solicitations left by a previous occupant. Feedback from the rideshare service transport can be associated with at least one of: vehicle cleanliness; smoking; rider section damage; extra occupants; pets and/or (messes, allergens or damage related to pets) and unsafe behavior by a previous occupant. In addition, the rideshare transport can be an autonomous vehicle.
In another exemplary embodiment, a system for rideshare behavior monitoring is disclosed herein. The system includes a memory and processor in which the processor receives feedback from a next rider. The processor further receive feedback from a rideshare service transport. The processor further generates a rideshare behavior score for a previous occupant of the rideshare service transport based on the feedback from the next rider and the feedback from the rideshare service transport. The processor further correlates the rideshare behavior score with a plurality of possible actions. The processor further selects one or more possible actions based on the correlation and implements the one or more possible actions.
In yet another exemplary embodiment a computer readable storage medium for rideshare behavior monitoring is disclosed herein. The computer readable storage medium includes receiving feedback from a next rider. The computer readable storage medium further includes receiving feedback from a rideshare service transport. The computer readable storage medium further includes generating a rideshare behavior score for a previous occupant of the rideshare service transport based on the feedback from the next rider and the feedback from the rideshare service transport. The computer readable storage medium further includes correlating the rideshare behavior score with a plurality of possible actions. The computer readable storage medium further includes selecting one or more possible actions based on the correlation and implementing the one or more possible actions.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to processing circuitry that may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
Network 150 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a dedicated short range communications network, or any combination thereof, and may include wired, wireless, fiber optic, or any other connection. Network 150 can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communication between mobile device 54A, server 54B, computer 54C, and/or automobile onboard computer system 54N, respectively.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
The processing system 200 may additionally include a graphics-processing unit 230. Graphics processing unit 230 is a specialized electronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display. In general, graphics-processing unit 230 is very efficient at manipulating computer graphics and image processing, and has a highly parallel structure that makes it more effective than general-purpose CPUs for algorithms where processing of large blocks of data is done in parallel.
Thus, as configured in
The one or more computing devices may further include a transmitter and receiver (not shown), to transmit and receive information. The signals sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other propagated signals. Further, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter and receiver could be combined into a signal transceiver.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
An input received by server 54B can be an input (305) from a next rider. The next rider can be a rider obtaining rideshare services in an associated rideshare service transport, for example an automobile associated with automobile onboard computer system 54N or any other form of transportation conducive to providing ridesharing services. The next rider can provide feedback on a previous occupant of the rideshare service transport to server 54B across network 150 using for, example, an application stored on mobile device 54A or an onboard application associated within the rideshare service transport (not shown). The feedback provided by the next rider can be related to a variety of aspects. For example, the next rider can indicate, automobile cleanliness, odors within the automobile, rider section damage, solicitations left in the rider section, or the like. The next rider feedback can be converted by the server 54B to a rideshare behavior score (next rider) for use with the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300, for example, positive (+), negative (−), or neutral (0), depending on the feedback provided by the next rider.
Another input received by server 54B can be an input (310) from the rideshare service transport. Input 310 can be provided by a rideshare service driver associated with the rideshare service transport, a third-party tasked with checking and/or cleaning the rideshare service transport or the rideshare service transport itself in autonomous vehicle operations. Rideshare service transport feedback can be related to automobile cleanliness, smoking within the automobile, rider section damage, unsafe rider behavior during transit, additional riders, pets in the automobile and/or messes, allergens or damage related to pets, being at a pickup location on-time or the like. Rideshare service transport feedback can be provided to server 54B using the automobile onboard computer system 54N and network 150. For autonomous vehicle operations, feedback can be provided using one or more on-board sensors. For example, the one or more sensors can be visual sensors used to compare images of a rider section before and after occupant use; seat sensors used to determine one or more weight differentials within the rider section; electromagnetic field sensors (humidity detector) used to determine whether liquids have spilled in the rider section; odor sensors; or the like. The rideshare service transport feedback can be converted by the server 54B to a rideshare behavior score (Vehicle) for use with the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300, for example, positive (+), negative (−), or neutral (0), depending on the feedback provided by the rideshare service transport.
When accessing the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300, the server 54B can use the rideshare behavior score input 305 from the next rider and the rideshare behavior score input 310 from the rideshare service transport to correlate possible actions 315 to implement in relation to the previous occupant and/or the rideshare service transport. For example, as illustrated in
If the next rider feedback generates a neutral rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a negative rideshare behavior score, the server 54B can select actions within the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300 associated with neutral feedback from the next rider and negative feedback from the rideshare service transport from the possible actions 315. The server 54B can request vehicle mitigation but would not deduct points for the rider score of the previous occupant.
If the next rider feedback generates a negative rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a neutral rideshare behavior score, the server 54B can select actions within the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300 associated with negative feedback from the next rider and neutral feedback from the rideshare service transport from the possible actions 315. The server 54B can contact the rideshare service transport or an operator of the rideshare service operator to request an inspection of one or more sensors operating on the rideshare service transport. The server 54B could also contact the next rider and request confirmation of the negative feedback provided by the previous next rider. The server 54B would or would not deduct points for the rider score of the previous occupant depending on the confirmation information provided.
If the next rider feedback generates a positive rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a neutral rideshare behavior score, the server 54B can select actions within the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300 associated with positive feedback from the next rider and neutral feedback from the rideshare service transport from the possible actions 315. The server 54B can indicate that no vehicle mitigation action is needed, and the server 54B can add points to the rider score of the previous occupant.
If the next rider feedback generates a positive rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a positive rideshare behavior score, the server 54B can select actions within the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300 associated with positive feedback from the next rider and positive feedback from the rideshare service transport from the possible actions 315. The server 54B can indicate that no vehicle mitigation action is needed, and the server 54B can add points to the rider score of the previous occupant.
If the next rider feedback generates a neutral rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a neutral rideshare behavior score, the server 54B can indicate that no action is needed (not shown). The rider score of the previous occupant would not be changed.
If the next rider feedback generates a negative rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a positive rideshare behavior score (not shown), the server 54B can select actions within the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300 associated with negative feedback from the next rider and positive feedback from the rideshare service transport from the possible actions 315. The server 54B can request a verification of positive output for the one or more sensors operating on the rideshare service transport by the rideshare service transport or an operator of the rideshare service operator. The server 54B can requests vehicle mitigation, if needed and add or deduct points, or make no changes to the rider score of the previous occupant based on the verification results sent by the rideshare service transport or the operator of the rideshare service operator.
If the next rider feedback generates a positive rideshare behavior score and the rideshare service transport feedback generates a negative rideshare behavior score (not shown), the server 54B can select actions within the rideshare behavior and award/mitigation matrix 300 associated with positive feedback from the next rider and negative feedback from the rideshare service transport from the possible actions 315. The server 54B can request a verification of negative output for the one or more sensors operating on the rideshare service transport by the rideshare service transport or an operator of the rideshare service operator. The server 54B requests vehicle mitigation, if needed and can add or deduct points, or make no changes to the rider score of the previous occupant based on the verification results sent by the rideshare service transport or the operator of the rideshare service operator.
Accordingly, the server 54B can generate/update a rider score. The rider score can be implemented as a point system associated with the behavior of the previous occupant of the rideshare service transport. The server 54B can add points for good behavior when utilizing ridesharing services and deduct point for poor behavior when utilizing ridesharing services. Depending on a rider score, the rider could receive benefits/incentives or dis-incentives from server 54B. The server 54B can also store a number of instances and offense types when the previous occupant has points deducted.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
Incentives that can be provided to riders for good behavior can include receiving higher priority to ride requests, having access to broader vehicle choices, discounts with partner companies, free rides, promotional material or the like. The server 54 can also use feedback with the system to identify conduct associated with good behavior to determine further incentives to provide to riders to foster good behavior.
The server 54B can also associate offenses with previous occupants when points are deducted. The server 54B can provide dis-incentives for poor rider behavior. For example, the server can limit vehicle choices or lowering priority for ride requests.
Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein a system that monitors rider behavior when using a ride share service through feedback provided by a subsequent (next) rider and from the vehicle providing for the ride sharing service. The system can be used to influence better rider behavior by encouraging positive behavior through incentives and discouraging poor rider behavior through dis-incentives.
Technical effects and benefits of the disclosed embodiments include, but are not limited to providing an incentive to riders to keep vehicles clean/operational using incentives, which improves vehicle uptime thereby improving revenue per vehicle in a ride share service and a reduction of vehicle maintenance.
The present disclosure may be a system, a method, and/or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may include computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present disclosure.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a mechanically encoded device, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.
