Proximity assisted seamless service (pass)

Abstract

A mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory that is configured to store instructions thereon that cause a processor to register, at a first time, a user of the mobile device as needing a type of assistance. The instructions also cause the processor to broadcast, at a second time, a request for assistance. The request includes the type of assistance needed. The request is broadcast to helper devices that are within a predetermined proximity of the user. Each of the helper devices is associated with a corresponding user that is registered to assist with the particular type of assistance needed. The instructions cause the processor to receive an indication from a helper device that the corresponding user has accepted the help request, determine that the corresponding user has assisted the user, and notify staff that the user has been assisted.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance, comprising:
 a communications interface;   a display screen;   at least one processor; and   a memory that is configured to store instructions thereon that when executed cause the at least one processor to:
 register, at a first time, a user of the mobile communications device as being qualified to render a particular type of assistance; 
 receive at a second time, using the communications interface, a request for assistance from a passenger of a transit vehicle, wherein the request is received with the mobile communications device is within a predetermined proximity of the user, the request comprising a type of assistance needed and a location of the passenger; 
 transmit, using the communications interface, an indication to the passenger that the user of the mobile communications device has accepted the request; 
 present a map of the transit vehicle on the display screen, the map providing a location of the passenger; 
 determine that assistance has been rendered to the passenger; and 
 transmit a confirmation message to one or more remote devices that the assistance has been rendered. 
   
     
     
         3 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 2 , wherein:
 determining that the assistance has been rendered comprises determining that the helper device of the corresponding user has moved within a threshold distance of the user based on a communication being exchanged between the mobile communications device and the at least one of the plurality of helper devices using a near field communication (NFC) antenna of the communications interface; and   the threshold distance is less than the predetermined proximity.   
     
     
         4 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 2 , wherein:
 determining that the assistance has been rendered comprises a confirmation input at a user interface of the mobile communications device.   
     
     
         5 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the communications interface comprises a first wireless antenna operating at a first signal range and a second wireless antenna operating at a second signal range that is shorter than the first signal range; and   the request is received using the first wireless antenna.   
     
     
         6 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 5 , wherein:
 determining that the corresponding user has moved within the threshold distance of the user comprises receiving a communication using the second wireless antenna from a particular one of the plurality of helper devices associated with the corresponding user.   
     
     
         7 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 2 , wherein:
 determining that the corresponding user has moved within the threshold distance of the user further comprises determining a signal strength of the communication; and   determining that the corresponding user has moved within the threshold distance of the user is based at least in part on the signal strength.   
     
     
         8 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the request causes the mobile communications device to generate one or more of a visual alert, an audio alert, or a haptic alert.   
     
     
         9 . A mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance, comprising:
 a communications interface;   a display screen;   at least one processor; and   a memory that is configured to store instructions thereon that when executed cause the at least one processor to:
 receive, using the communications interface, a request for assistance from a passenger of a transit vehicle, the request comprising a type of assistance needed and a location of the passenger; 
 transmit, using the communications interface, an indication to the passenger that a user of the mobile communications device has accepted the request; 
 present a map of the transit vehicle on the display screen, the map providing a location of the passenger; 
 determine that assistance has been rendered to the passenger; and 
 transmit a confirmation message to one or more remote devices that the assistance has been rendered. 
   
     
     
         10 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the request is received with the mobile communications device is within a predetermined proximity of the user, the request comprising a type of assistance needed and a location of the passenger.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the request comprises an identifier of the passenger.   
     
     
         12 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 register the user of the mobile communications device as being qualified to render a particular type of assistance prior to receiving the request.   
     
     
         13 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 12 , wherein:
 registering the user comprises providing documentation of the user's qualifications to a transit system.   
     
     
         14 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the one or more devices comprises a mobile device of the user.   
     
     
         15 . The mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 present an augmented reality representation of the transit vehicle on the display screen, wherein the augmented reality representation comprises guidance on how to navigate to the passenger.   
     
     
         16 . A method for providing proximity-based assistance, comprising:
 receiving, using a communications interface of a mobile communications device, a request for assistance from a passenger of a transit vehicle, the request comprising a type of assistance needed and a location of the passenger;   transmitting, using the communications interface, an indication to the passenger that a user of the mobile communications device has accepted the request;   presenting a map of the transit vehicle on a display screen of the mobile communications device, the map providing a location of the passenger;   determining that assistance has been rendered to the passenger; and   transmitting, using the communications interface, a confirmation message to one or more remote devices that the assistance has been rendered.   
     
     
         17 . The method for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the location of the passenger comprises one or both of global positioning satellite (GPS) data from a mobile device of the user or a position that is determined based on communications between the mobile device of the user and a plurality of beacons of the transit vehicle.   
     
     
         18 . The method for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the location of the passenger comprises a virtual pin drop provided by the user.   
     
     
         19 . The method for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the request is received based on the type of assistance needed matching a particular type of assistance the user is qualified to render.   
     
     
         20 . The method for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 presenting an augmented reality representation of the transit vehicle on the display screen, wherein the augmented reality representation comprises guidance on how to navigate to the passenger.   
     
     
         21 . The method for providing proximity-based assistance of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 registering the user of the mobile communications device as being qualified to render a particular type of assistance prior to receiving the request.