BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for calculating a distance travelled, and more particularly to a system and method for automatically calculating a fare based on a travelled distance.
Description of Related Art
In general, a taximeter is an apparatus installed within a taxi for calculating a fare. The fare is calculated by using a distance travelled and a time taken to reach a destination and therefore, the taximeter require system for determining the distance travelled, and the time for calculating the speed of the taxi.
Conventionally, a taxi uses mechanical type analog meters that work on gear and cam mechanism. In such systems, the fare is calculated based on a distance of trip that is calculated by changing the number of teeth in the gears, but there is no means of calculation of a fare based on timing data. Moreover, there may be a chance of error in the measurement of distance due to wear and tear of the gears. Further, such systems require regular service, maintenance and proper training for operating the system.
Thus, there is need for an improved taximeter that calculates accurate fare based on a distance travelled by the taxi.
SUMMARY
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a fare calculation system, the system comprising: sensors connected to encoder wheels of wheels of a taxi configured to sense signals representing a speed of the taxi; and a digital taximeter, wherein the digital

taximeter comprising: a control unit connected to the sensors and a real-time clock, wherein the control unit is configured to: receive the sensed signals representing a speed of the taxi from the sensors and a timing data from the real-time clock; determine a numerical value of the speed of the taxi based on the received sensed signals; calculate a numerical value of a distance travelled by the taxi based on the determined numerical value of the speed and the received timing data; calculate a total fare by multiplying the calculated numerical value of the distance with a predefined base fare stored in a memory; and display a trip data on a display of the digital taximeter.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for calculating a total fare using a digital taximeter, the method comprising steps of: receiving sensed signals representing a speed of a taxi from sensors connected to encoder wheels of wheels of the taxi and a timing data from a real-time clock; determining a numerical value of the speed of the taxi based on the received sensed signals; calculating a numerical value of a distance travelled by the taxi based on the determined numerical value of the speed and the received timing data; calculating a total fare by multiplying the calculated numerical value of the distance with a predefined base fare stored in a memory; and displaying a trip data on a display of the digital taximeter.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of
advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments
of the present application provide a system and a method for calculating
the distance travelled by a taxi. Next, embodiments of the present
application provide a system and method for calculating a total fare based on the distance travelled by a taxi.
[008] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.

[009] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a fare calculation system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a control unit of a digital taximeter, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process for calculating a total fare using the digital taximeter, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”,

“including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0016] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0017] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a fare calculation system 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. The fare calculation

system 100 comprises a digital taximeter 102, encoder wheels 104a-104n (hereinafter referred to as the encoder wheels 104), and sensors 106a-106m (hereinafter referred to as the sensors 106), according to embodiments of the present invention. Further, the digital taximeter 102, the encoder wheels 104, and the sensors 106 may be connected to each other through a communication network 108.
[0019] The communication network 108 may include a data network such
as, but not limited to, the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide
Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), etc. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the communication network 108
may include a wireless network, such as, but not limited to, a cellular
network and may employ various technologies including an Enhanced
Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), a General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS), and so forth. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, the digital taximeter 102, the encoder wheels 104 and the sensors 106 may be configured to communicate with each other by one or more communication mediums connected to the communication network 108. The communication mediums include, but are not limited to, a coaxial cable, a copper wire, a fiber optic, a wire that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of a computing device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication mediums, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0020] The digital taximeter 102 of the fare calculation system 100 may comprise an enclosure 110, a control unit 112, a memory 114, a real-time clock 116, a display 118, and a button 120, according to embodiments of the present invention. The enclosure 110 may be designed to house components of the digital taximeter 102, according to embodiments of the present invention. The enclosure 110 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a metal, a plastic, a wood, and so forth.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the enclosure 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the control unit 112 may be configured to process data associated with the fare calculation system 100, generate an output, and perform operations related to the fare calculation system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of processing the received data.
[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory 114 of the digital taximeter 102 may be configured for storage and retrieval of data associated with the fare calculation system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory 114 may be, but is not limited to, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Programmable read-only memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable read only memory (EPROM), an Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the digital taximeter 102 may further include the real-time clock 116 that may be configured to communicate a timing data to the control unit 112. The timing data may comprise a trip start time, a trip end time, and a current time, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the real-time clock 116 may be

configured to be enabled by using the button 120 of the digital taximeter 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the real-time clock 116 may be enabled when a trip starts and a driver of a taxi presses the button 120 to start a trip and is referred to as a trip start time. Further, the real¬time clock 116 may be disabled when a trip ends and the driver of the taxi again presses the button 120 to end the trip and is referred to as a trip end time. The real-time clock 116 may be, but not limited to, a digital clock, an analog clock, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the real-time clock 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0023] According to embodiments of the present invention, the digital taximeter 102 may further include the display 118. The display 118 may be configured to display an output data generated by the control unit 112 of the digital taximeter 102. The display 118 may be, but not limited to, a digital display, a touch screen display, a graphical user interface, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] The button 120 of the digital taximeter 102 may be configured to enable a user to activate the digital taximeter 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the button 120 of the digital taximeter 102 may be configured to enable the user to deactivate the digital taximeter 102. The user may be, but not limited to, a taxi driver, a passenger, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user operating the digital taximeter 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the button 120 may be, but not limited to, a push button, toggle switch, a rocker switch, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of

the button 120 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the fare calculation system 100 comprises the encoder wheels 104 connected to wheels 122a-122n (hereinafter referred to as the wheels 122) of a taxi. The encoder wheels 104 may be ring magnets that may be attached to the wheels 122 of the taxi, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the sensors 106 may be connected to the encoder wheels 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensors 106 may be configured to sense signals representing changes in magnetic field when the encoder wheels 104 rotate with the wheels 122 of the taxi, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensors 106 may count the rotations of the encoder wheels 104 based on the changes in the magnetic field due to the rotating wheels 122 of the taxi. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensors 106 may be configured to sense signals representing a speed of the taxi from the rotation of the wheels 122. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensors 106 may be, but not limited to, a hall-effect sensor, a speed sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensors 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the control unit 112 of the digital taximeter 102, according to embodiments of the present invention. The control unit 112 may comprise a sensor configuration module 200, a data collection module 202, a data processing module 204, a display module 206, and a communication module 208.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the button 120 may be configured to generate a sensor activation signal when a user of the digital taximeter 102 activates the button 120. The user may be, but

not limited to, a taxi driver, a passenger, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user operating the digital taximeter 102.
[0028] Further, the sensor activation signal may enable the sensor configuration module 200 that may be configured to activate the sensors 106 connected to the encoder wheels 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensors 106 may be configured to sense signals representing changes in magnetic field when the encoder wheels 104 rotate with the wheels 122 of the taxi, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensors 106 may sense signals representing a count of the rotations of the encoder wheels 104 based on the changes in the magnetic field due to the rotating wheels 122 of the taxi. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensors 106 may be configured to sense signals representing a speed of the taxi from the rotation of the wheels 122 of the taxi. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor activation signal may further enable the sensor configuration module 200 that may be configured to enable the real-time clock 116 to transmit the timing data to the data collection module 202. Further, the sensor configuration module 200 may be configured to transmit the received sensed signals from the sensors 106 to the data collection module 202 of the control unit 112.
[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, the data collection module 202 may be configured to receive the sensed signals from the sensor configuration module 200. Further, the data collection module 202 may be configured to receive timing data from the real-time clock 116 of the digital taximeter 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The timing data may comprise, but not limited to, a trip start time, a trip end time, a current time, and so forth, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data collection module 202 may be further configured to store the sensed signals and the timing data

into memory 114 of the digital taximeter 102. Furthermore, the data collection module 202 may be configured to transmit the sensed signals and the timing data to the data processing module 204.
[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data
processing module 204 may be configured to receive the sensed signals
and the timing data from the data collection module 202. In another
embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 204
may be configured to access the sensed signals and the timing data
stored in the memory 114 of the digital taximeter 102. The data
processing module 204 may be further configured to the process the sensed signals to determine a numerical value of the speed of the taxi, according to embodiments of the present invention. Further, the data processing module 204 may be configured determine a numerical value a time of travel based on the timing data received from the data collection module 202. According to embodiments of the present invention, the data processing module 204 may be further configured to calculate a numerical value of a distance travelled by the taxi based on the determined speed of the taxi and the determined time of travel. The data processing module 204 may be configured to calculate the numerical value of the distance travelled by the taxi by multiplying the numerical value of the determined speed of the taxi with the numerical value of the determined time of travel.
[0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, the data processing module 204 may be configured to calculate a total fare by multiplying the calculated numerical value of the distance travelled by the taxi with a predefined base fare stored in the memory 114 of the digital taximeter. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 204 may be configured to further generate a display signal. The display signal may comprise trip data, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the data processing module 204 may be configured to transmit the display signal to the display module 206, according to

embodiments of the present invention.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display module 206 may be configured to transmit the received display signal to the display 118 using the communication module 208 over the communication network 108. The display signal may enable the display 118 of the digital taximeter 102 to display the trip data included in the display signal, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the trip data such as, but not limited to, a numerical value of the distance travelled by the taxi, the total fare, the predefined base fare, and so forth.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process 300 for calculating a total fare using the digital taximeter 102, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0034] At step 302, the fare calculation system 100 may enable a user to activate the button 120 of the digital taximeter 102. The user may be, but not limited to, a taxi driver, a passenger, and so forth.
[0035] At step 304, if the fare calculation system 100 determines that the button 120 is activated then the process 300 may proceed to a step 306. Otherwise, the process 300 may return to the step 302.
[0036] At the step 306, the fare calculation system 100 may receive signals representing a speed of the taxi from the sensors 106. The sensors 106 may be, but not limited to, a speed sensor, a hall-effect sensor, and so forth.
[0037] At step 308, the fare calculation system 100 may receive the timing data from the real-time clock 116 of the digital taximeter 102. The timing data may include, but is not limited to, a trip start time, a trip end time, a current time, and so forth.

[0038] At step 310, the fare calculation system 100 may calculate a numerical value of a distance travelled by the taxi based on the sensed signals and the timing data.
[0039] At step 312, the fare calculation system 100 may calculate a total fare by multiplying the calculated numerical value of the distance travelled by the taxi with a predefined base fare stored in a memory 114 of the digital taximeter 102.
[0040] At step 314, the fare calculation system 100 may generate a display signal. The display signal may comprise trip data such as, but not limited to, a numerical value of the distance travelled by the taxi, the total fare, the predefined base fare, and so forth.
[0041] At step 316, the fare calculation system 100 may transmit the display signal to the display 118 of the digital taximeter 102. Further, the display 118 may be configured to display the trip data based on the display signal.
[0042] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable

memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0043] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A fare calculation system (100), the system (100) comprising:
sensors (106a-106m) connected to encoder wheels (104a-104n) of wheels (122a-122n) of a taxi configured to sense signals representing a speed of the taxi; and
a digital taximeter (102), wherein the digital taximeter (102) comprising:
a control unit (112) connected to the sensors (106a-106m) and a real-time clock (116), wherein the control unit (112) is configured to:
receive the sensed signals representing a speed of the taxi from the sensors (106a-106m) and a timing data from the real-time clock (116);
determine a numerical value of the speed of the taxi based on the received sensed signals;
calculate a numerical value of a distance travelled by the taxi based on the determined numerical value of the speed and the received timing data;
calculate a total fare by multiplying the calculated numerical value of the distance with a predefined base fare stored in a memory (114); and
display a trip data on a display (118) of the digital taximeter (102).

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trip data comprises one of, the calculated total fare, the predefined base fare, the calculated distance travelled by the taxi, or a combination thereof.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (112) is configured to enable the sensors (106a-106m) and the real-time clock (116) when a user activates a button (120) of the digital taximeter (102).
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors (106a-106m) is one of, a speed sensor, a hall-effect sensor, or a combination thereof.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the encode wheels (104a-104n) comprises a ring magnet connected to the wheels (122a-122n) of the taxi.
6. A method for calculating a total fare using a digital taximeter (102), the method comprising steps of:
receiving sensed signals representing a speed of a taxi from sensors (106a-106m) connected to encoder wheels (104a-104n) of wheels (122a-122n) of the taxi and a timing data from a real-time clock (116);
determining a numerical value of the speed of the taxi based on the received sensed signals;
calculating a numerical value of a distance travelled by the taxi based on the determined numerical value of the speed and the received timing data;
calculating a total fare by multiplying the calculated numerical value of the distance with a predefined base fare stored in a memory (114); and

displaying a trip data on a display (118) of the digital taximeter (102).
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trip data comprises one of, the calculated total fare, the predefined base fare, the calculated distance travelled by the taxi, or a combination thereof.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, comprising a step of enabling the sensors (106a-106m) and the real-time clock (116) when a user activates a button (120) of the digital taximeter (102).
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensors (106a-106m) is one of, a speed sensor, a hall-effect sensor, or a combination thereof.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the encode wheels (104a-104n) comprises a ring magnet connected to the wheels (122a-122n) of the taxi.