Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a server comprising at least one processor, a transportation request from a computing device of a passenger, the transportation request specifying a pickup location; and determining, by the server, a surge pricing multiplier and a surge pricing cap for the transportation request based on the pickup location, the surge pricing cap representing a maximum amount of a fare for the transportation request that is subject to a surge pricing surcharge.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a communication system that can be configured to receive a request for a service from a user, communicate to the user details about a specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service, determine a location of the user using a location module, and notify the user when the user is proximate to the specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service. Further, the communication system can be configured to notify the user when the user is not proximate to the specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service. In an example, the specific service provider is a transportation provider.

Abstract: In one embodiment a transportation request for a sightseeing trip is received from a computing device of a passenger, wherein the transportation request identifies a plurality of sightseeing attractions. One or more drivers are selected, based on availability data associated with a plurality of drivers, to transport the passenger to the plurality of sightseeing attractions. Navigational data is transmitted to the one or more drivers to enable the one or more drivers to transport the passenger to the plurality of sightseeing attractions.

Abstract: In one embodiment a pickup location and a destination location associated with a subscriber to a first transportation service are accessed. A first route from the pickup location to the destination location is identified, the first route comprising a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a driver of the first transportation service using a first type of transportation vehicle, and wherein a second segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a second transportation service using a second type of transportation vehicle. The driver of the first transportation service is directed to service the first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route.

Abstract: In one embodiment a pickup location and a destination location associated with a subscriber to a first transportation service are accessed. A first route from the pickup location to the destination location is identified, the first route comprising a plurality of segments, wherein a first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a driver of the first transportation service using a first type of transportation vehicle, and wherein a second segment of the plurality of segments of the first route is to be serviced by a second transportation service using a second type of transportation vehicle. The driver of the first transportation service is directed to service the first segment of the plurality of segments of the first route.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method, including: receiving, at a server comprising at least one processor, a request from a computing device of a passenger for a driver for a specified pickup location; and computing a fare from a distance-weighted continuous pricing function based at least in part on a distance from the specified pickup location to a reference location. There is also disclosed an apparatus for providing the method, and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions for providing the method.

Abstract: In one embodiment, passenger demand for transportation by a driver associated with a transportation service is estimated for a first plurality of locations within a geographical region. A wait time parameter is determined for the geographical region, wherein the wait time parameter is based on one or more expected wait times associated with one or more locations of the geographical region, wherein an expected wait time is an estimate of the time that would elapse from a submission of a transportation request from the associated location until a driver of the transportation service will arrive at the associated location. A plurality of drivers are directed to a second plurality of locations within the geographical region based on the estimated passenger demand and the wait time parameter.

Abstract: In one embodiment information regarding device activity of first subscriber to a transportation service is received. A backend server determines independent of a pending transportation request from the first passenger and based at least on the information regarding the device activity of the first subscriber, to send a driver towards a location based on the location of the first subscriber.

Abstract: In one embodiment a transportation request is received from a computing device of a first subscriber to a transportation service. It is determined that the transportation request is authorized by a second subscriber to the transportation service. One or more details associated with the transportation request and location information of the computing device of the first subscriber are communicated to a computing device of a driver associated with the transportation service to allow the driver to fulfill the transportation request.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a communication system that can be configured to receive a request for a service from a user, communicate to the user details about a specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service, determine a location of the user using a location module, and notify the user when the user is proximate to the specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service. Further, the communication system can be configured to notify the user when the user is not proximate to the specific service provider that will fulfill the requested service. In an example, the specific service provider is a transportation provider.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a communication system that can be configured to receive a desired arrival time for a package to arrive at a destination, determine a location of the package, determine a route to the destination, and determine a pickup time to pick up the package. The pickup time can be at least partially based on the desired arrival time and a time to travel along the route. In an example, the package is a passenger and the communication system can involve a transportation or delivery service.

Abstract: In one embodiment an indication of a driver destination location is received from a driver associated with a taxi service. The driver destination location specifies a location that the driver desires to travel to after transporting one or more passengers. A passenger pick-up location of a first passenger is provided. The first passenger is selected based on the driver destination location and a destination location specified by the first passenger.

Abstract: A computerized method of optimizing audio quality in a voice stream between a sender and a receiver VoIP applications, comprising: defining by the receiver time intervals; determining by the receiver at the end of each time interval whether congestion exists, by calculating (i) one-way-delay and (ii) trend, using double-exponential smoothing; estimating by the receiver a bandwidth available to the sender based on said calculation; sending said estimated bandwidth by the receiver to the sender; and using by the sender said bandwidth estimate as maximum allowed send rate.

Abstract: A method of using capabilities of a smart TV to enhance an audio and/or video call, including discovering by a first smartphone a near smart TV; establishing communication between the first smartphone and the smart TV; checking by the first smartphone the smart TV's capabilities; and using the smart TV capabilities to enhance a call between the first smartphone and a second smartphone or to enhance an application running on the first smartphone.

Abstract: A computerized method of optimizing audio quality in a voice stream between a sender and a receiver VoIP applications, comprising: defining by the receiver time intervals; determining by the receiver at the end of each time interval whether congestion exists, by calculating (i) one-way-delay and (ii) trend, using double-exponential smoothing; estimating by the receiver a bandwidth available to the sender based on said calculation; sending said estimated bandwidth by the receiver to the sender; and using by the sender said bandwidth estimate as maximum allowed send rate.

Abstract: A method of communication between users' electronic communication devices connected to a network via NAT devices, comprising: sending a call request to a signaling server, locating a relay server IP address, sending the call request and the relay server IP address to the receiving device, sending the relay server IP address to the calling device, starting communication via the relay server and following said communication start: identifying and reporting by the devices' public and private addresses, establishing connectivity between the devices and continuing the communication in a peer-to-peer mode.

Abstract: System and methods for controlling access to internet content, comprising: a web-server; a client computer comprising a web-browser, communicating with the web-server over the internet; means for adding at least one characteristic of the client computer user to a web-page request sent from the client computer to the web-server; means for identifying the at least one characteristic of the client computer user; and means for selectively responding to the web page request, based on said at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A hierarchical communication system and method, comprising a network; end-users of the network, at least part of said end-users requiring supervision; guardians providing supervision to said end-users requiring supervision; and means, connected with said network, for authorizing communication between two or more end-users requiring supervision or between an end-user requiring supervision and an end-user not requiring supervision.