Patent ID: 8645014

Claim:
A mobile computerized apparatus for use with a roadside assistance program to assist in identifying a service provider, comprising: a processor for executing computer-executable instructions; a memory storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to perform steps comprising: obtaining, by the apparatus, event information indicative of a selected service type required to service a vehicle resulting from a roadside event; after occurrence of the roadside event to the vehicle, transmitting, by a wireless component in the apparatus, relevant information to a remote server, the relevant information comprising the selected service type, user identification information, and vehicle location information; receiving at the apparatus a plurality of service providers competent in the selected service type and in proximity to the vehicle's location, where at least some of the plurality of service providers are identified based on a preferred relationship with the roadside assistance program; displaying, at the apparatus, a list of the plurality of service providers that are competent in the selected service type; receiving, at the apparatus, an input selecting a selected service provider from the displayed list of the plurality of service providers that are competent in the selected service type; transmitting a new service request to the remote server from the apparatus, where the new service request is configured to cause the remote server to: transmit the new service request to a service provider server associated with the selected service provider; and in response to receiving an acceptance message from the service provider server, transmitting a confirmation message to the service provider server, where the new service request includes at least part of the relevant information, and where the acceptance message comprises at least one of a price quote and an estimated time of arrival by the selected service provider at the vehicle; receiving, at the apparatus, a name of the selected service provider, the estimated time of arrival by the selected service provider at the vehicle, and a phone number of the service provider; and receiving, at the apparatus, updates from the remote server about the estimated time of arrival by the selected service provider at the vehicle.