Abstract: A vehicle allocation method and system are provided. Vehicle diagnostic data is received from vehicle-computing devices placed in vehicles. A diagnostic score is determined for each vehicle. A request for booking a ride is received from a customer device of a customer. A fare for the ride is determined for the vehicles. Options are transmitted to the customer device to select a vehicle for the ride based on the options. A customer selection is received from the customer device. A vehicle is allocated to the ride based on the customer selection.

Abstract: Allocation of a vehicle to a passenger includes receiving a ride request for a ride from a passenger device of a passenger. A ride eligibility of the passenger is determined based on health conditions of the passenger. Further, a set of drivers available for offering the ride are identified. A subset of drivers eligible for offering the ride are selected from the set of drivers based on at least the ride request and health conditions of each driver. A first driver is selected from the subset of drivers and a route is selected from a set of routes, based on the health conditions of the passenger and each driver of the subset of drivers, route conditions of each route, and the ride request. A vehicle associated with the first driver is allocated to the passenger for the ride.

Abstract: An Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for detecting and communicating safety-related events to a safety server is provided. A network status of a communication network over which devices associated with the vehicle are communicating with the safety server is identified. The UAV receives metadata including at least location data from the devices when the network status of the communication network indicates low or unavailable connectivity that is hindering communication of the metadata to the safety server by the devices. The UAV processes the metadata and detects safety events associated with the vehicle. The UAV communicates the safety events to the safety server based on at least a safety criterion including detachment of the UAV from the vehicle when the UAV is unable to communicate with the safety server in its attached configuration with the vehicle due to network issues.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating seats in a vehicle for a share-ride in a ride-sharing system are provided. The vehicle is detected in a geographical area and includes one or more seats that are available for the share-ride. A share-ride fare for each available seat is determined based on a defined fare range associated with each available seat. The one or more seats of the vehicle are allocated to one or more passengers based on preferences of the one or more passengers for one or more seat types. The preferences of each passenger are determined based on at least historical travel data or a real-time booking request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming content is disclosed. A streamer (155) detects a cue for a break in a segment of the program content, wherein the cue includes an identification of an advertising provider associated with the break. The streamer sends, to an advertisement server (115), a request for content associated with the advertising provider, and receives, from the advertisement server, an advertisement associated with the advertising provider. Further, the streamer transcodes the advertisement based on configuration information of an additional device (165) to generate formatted content viewable on the additional device. Moreover, the streamer streams the formatted content to the additional device via the local connection.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating co-passengers in a ride-sharing system is provided. A shared-ride request is received from a passenger device of a passenger along with one or more phone numbers of one or more individuals associated with the passenger. An approval status of each of the one or more phone numbers is determined. A priority is assigned to each of the one or more phone numbers. A co-passenger from the one or more individuals for the shared-ride is identified based on one of the determined approval status or the assigned priority of the phone number associated with the co-passenger. A shared-ride fare is determined for the passenger for the shared-ride with the identified co-passenger.

Abstract: Allocation of a vehicle to a passenger includes receiving a ride request for a ride from a passenger device of a passenger. A ride eligibility of the passenger is determined based on health conditions of the passenger. Further, a set of drivers available for offering the ride are identified. A subset of drivers eligible for offering the ride are selected from the set of drivers based on at least the ride request and health conditions of each driver. A first driver is selected from the subset of drivers and a route is selected from a set of routes, based on the health conditions of the passenger and each driver of the subset of drivers, route conditions of each route, and the ride request. A vehicle associated with the first driver is allocated to the passenger for the ride.

Abstract: Allocation of a vehicle to a passenger includes receiving a booking request for a share-ride or a non-share ride. Based on the booking request, sets of sponsored and non-sponsored routes are identified. Each identified route connects at least a source location and a destination location associated with the booking request. Further, one or more sponsored routes are selected from the set of sponsored routes based on a persona of the passenger. A sponsored or non-sponsored route is selected, by the passenger, from the one or more sponsored routes or the set of non-sponsored routes, respectively. Based on the selection by the passenger, an available vehicle is allocated to the passenger for the ride. Similarly, at least sponsored routes are identified and presented to a driver of the allocated vehicle for travelling from a current location to the source location of the passenger.

Abstract: An Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for detecting and communicating safety-related events to a safety server is provided. A network status of a communication network over which devices associated with the vehicle are communicating with the safety server is identified. The UAV receives metadata including at least location data from the devices when the network status of the communication network indicates low or unavailable connectivity that is hindering communication of the metadata to the safety server by the devices. The UAV processes the metadata and detects safety events associated with the vehicle. The UAV communicates the safety events to the safety server based on at least a safety criterion including detachment of the UAV from the vehicle when the UAV is unable to communicate with the safety server in its attached configuration with the vehicle due to network issues.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating seats in a vehicle for a share-ride in a ride-sharing system are provided. The vehicle is detected in a geographical area and includes one or more seats that are available for the share-ride. A share-ride fare for each available seat is determined based on a defined fare range associated with each available seat. The one or more seats of the vehicle are allocated to one or more passengers based on preferences of the one or more passengers for one or more seat types. The preferences of each passenger are determined based on at least historical travel data or a real-time booking request.

Abstract: A vehicle allocation method and system are provided. Vehicle diagnostic data is received from vehicle-computing devices placed in vehicles. A diagnostic score is determined for each vehicle. A request for booking a ride is received from a customer device of a customer. A fare for the ride is determined for the vehicles. Options are transmitted to the customer device to select a vehicle for the ride based on the options. A customer selection is received from the customer device. A vehicle is allocated to the ride based on the customer selection.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating co-passengers in a ride-sharing system is provided. A shared-ride request is received from a passenger device of a passenger along with one or more phone numbers of one or more individuals associated with the passenger. An approval status of each of the one or more phone numbers is determined. A priority is assigned to each of the one or more phone numbers. A co-passenger from the one or more individuals for the shared-ride is identified based on one of the determined approval status or the assigned priority of the phone number associated with the co-passenger. A shared-ride fare is determined for the passenger for the shared-ride with the identified co-passenger.

Abstract: A system and a method for validating states of one or more components of a vehicle are provided. The system includes circuitry that receives an event, determines associated priority level based on first mapping. The circuitry identifies the one or more components associated with the priority level based on a second mapping. The circuitry identifies one or more parameters associated with each of the one or more components, and generates a query message. The query message is a function of either the one or more components or the one or more parameters. The circuitry transmits the query message to the vehicle, and receives the values of the one or more parameters from the vehicle. The circuitry validates the state of one or more components by matching the values of the one or more parameters to corresponding stored values of the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A system and a method for validating states of one or more components of a vehicle are provided. The system includes circuitry that receives an event, determines associated priority level based on first mapping. The circuitry identifies the one or more components associated with the priority level based on a second mapping. The circuitry identifies one or more parameters associated with each of the one or more components, and generates a query message. The query message is a function of either the one or more components or the one or more parameters. The circuitry transmits the query message to the vehicle, and receives the values of the one or more parameters from the vehicle. The circuitry validates the state of one or more components by matching the values of the one or more parameters to corresponding stored values of the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vicarious downloading or uploading of information are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a system involves a mobile device that includes a memory device capable of storing information or content, and at least one wireless communication component. The mobile device further includes a processing device coupled at least indirectly to the memory device and to the at least one wireless communication component, and a power source. The processing device is configured to determine at least one characteristic/condition pertaining in at least some manner to the mobile device. Also, the mobile device is configured to send a command message to another device when the at least one characteristic/condition is determined, the command message being configured cause the other device to perform vicariously a downloading or uploading of the information or content on behalf of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating vehicles to passengers are provided. A first request is received from a passenger device of a passenger for booking a ride. The first request is processed to select a vehicle from a set of vehicles. Based on the selected vehicle, first and second user interfaces are rendered on the passenger and driver devices, respectively. The first and second user interfaces include a plurality of options, and verification information of the driver and the passenger, respectively. Further, second and third requests are received from the passenger and driver device, respectively, by means of the plurality of options based on the rendered verification information. The second and third requests are processed to determine first and second preferences for the allocation that optimize safety and trust of the passenger and the driver during the ride.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating a vehicle to a passenger for ride is provided. The system includes circuitry configured to receive an image corresponding to a booking request from a passenger device of the passenger. In response to the received image, the circuitry determines the destination address of the booking request based on the received image. The circuitry further displays the received image and the determined destination address of the booking request on a display of the passenger device. In response to the displayed image and destination address, the circuitry receives a confirmation message from the passenger device, and allocates the vehicle to the passenger based on the received confirmation message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vicarious downloading or uploading of information are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a system involves a mobile device that includes a memory device capable of storing information or content, and at least one wireless communication component. The mobile device further includes a processing device coupled at least indirectly to the memory device and to the at least one wireless communication component, and a power source. The processing device is configured to determine at least one characteristic/condition pertaining in at least some manner to the mobile device. Also, the mobile device is configured to send a command message to another device when the at least one characteristic/condition is determined, the command message being configured cause the other device to perform vicariously a downloading or uploading of the information or content on behalf of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming content is disclosed. A streamer (155) detects a cue for a break in a segment of the program content, wherein the cue includes an identification of an advertising provider associated with the break. The streamer sends, to an advertisement server (115), a request for content associated with the advertising provider, and receives, from the advertisement server, an advertisement associated with the advertising provider. Further, the streamer transcodes the advertisement based on configuration information of an additional device (165) to generate formatted content viewable on the additional device. Moreover, the streamer streams the formatted content to the additional device via the local connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming content is disclosed. A streamer (155) detects a cue for a break in a segment of the program content, wherein the cue includes an identification of an advertising provider associated with the break. The streamer sends, to an advertisement server (115), a request for content associated with the advertising provider, and receives, from the advertisement server, an advertisement associated with the advertising provider. Further, the streamer transcodes the advertisement based on configuration information of an additional device (165) to generate formatted content viewable on the additional device. Moreover, the streamer streams the formatted content to the additional device via the local connection.