Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and regulating for-hire vehicles (FHV) are provided. A server receives information relating to authorized vehicles (often based on medallions assigned by the local government transportation agency), algorithms and parameters for FHV fare calculation, as well as information about authorized drivers and authorized dispatchers, from one or in some cases several regulatory entities. The server receives time and/or distance data associated with an FHV trip from a device (usually a mobile device like a smart phone for example) traveling with the FHV and uses such information to calculate a fare for the trip. The server is configured to receive requests for transportation services from mobile devices, and to dispatch FHVs, either directly (by automatically sending a dispatch signal to the selected FHV) or through a third-party (such as a traditional dispatch service). The collected real-time information may be used to optimize the utilization of FHV resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating and managing for-hire vehicle (FHV) fare calculation algorithms and parameters are provided. Fare calculation and parameter information associated with a plurality of jurisdictions regulated by one or more regulatory entities is stored in a database. An authorized user may use a web-based software program to input updated fare calculation and parameter information for a jurisdiction. The updated fare calculation and parameter information is stored, and trip fares are calculated based at least partially on the updated fare calculation and where appropriate parameter information as well as trip distance and/or time information provided by a mobile computing device when the fare is related to an FHV trip taken within the jurisdiction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and transmitting on-board diagnostics (OBD) signals are provided. An electronic device includes a housing, an OBD engagement member configured to physically engage with an OBD port of an (FHV) and receive power and data communications therefrom. Computer circuitry disposed at least partially within the housing is configured to receive time, location, and/or distance information associated with a trip taken by the FHV, the information being received through the OBD port of the FHV. The computer circuitry is further configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more computing devices disposed within the FHV over a local area network when the on-board diagnostics device is connected to the OBD port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for engaging a for-hire vehicle (FHV) are provided. A mobile computing device receives information from a remote server indicating FHV activity in a geographical region of interest. A user interface of the mobile computing device displays a map having one or more icons thereon indicating locations of one or more FHVs. A user provides an input indicating a desire to hail one of the one or more FHVs, and receives an acceptance of hail. Once within range of the FHV, the device links with a computing device disposed within the hailed FHV over a local area network, providing information related an FHV trip to the remote server, receiving a calculated fare, and displaying the calculated fare to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating fares for-hire vehicle (FHV) trips are provided. Trip data, such as time, distance, location, or other trip-related data, is received over a network from a computing device disposed within a remotely-located FHV. The trip data is used to calculate a trip fare, which is provided to the computing device over a wide area network.