Route optimization system and methods of use thereof

• US 10,101,164 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aayush Thakur
• Original Assignee: Aayush Thakur
• Inventors: Thakur, Aayush
• Primary Examiner(s): Elchanti, Hussein
• Application Number:
  US14/885,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20160109251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08345 Pricing

Abstract

A vehicle asset and route optimization system and method are provided for enabling vehicle route optimization based on, for example, substitution driver availability, trip cost, and trip schedule and available truck/trailer assets. The optimization system allows for weighing the prioritization factors provided by the various users so as to allocate priority among the most desirable inputs to increase efficiency in the shipping function and in vehicle asset usage and management, particularly in cases of unused excess trailer capacity and the reduction of driver downtime in the entire transportation process.

Claims

1. A system for vehicle use and route optimization for a vehicle traveling from a first location to a second location, the system comprising:

a controller configured to receive a plurality of data inputs from one or more databases initiated by a user, the controller including an optimization module, a mapping module and a memory module having stored therein a vehicle profile database, a driver profile database, and a route inquiry database, the controller further including a configurable driver time limiting module and a node assignment module for assigning one of an originating and arrival geographic location node along a route defined by the first and second location for at least one of a driver substitution and equipment exchange;

a user input device operatively coupled to the controller for receiving a vehicle data input, a driver data input and a route inquiry data input from the user; and

a visual display unit operatively coupled to the controller and the user input device for displaying any one output data from any one of the user input device and the controller;

wherein the controller initiates the optimization module to generate at least one vehicle route, at least one driver route with integrated driver time limit and at least one geographic node along one of the vehicle and driver route.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a jobs database operatively coupled to the controller for providing data inputs to the controller for a shipment or transportation job including origination and destination points, cargo size and target cost for the job.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a contracts module operatively coupled to the controller for generating a detailed terms and conditions proposal for job bidding between any one of a vehicle owner, a driver and a shipper.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a payment module operatively coupled to the controller for generating a payment transaction plan for job bidding between any one of a vehicle owner, a driver and a shipper.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a shipper/manufacturers module operatively coupled to the controller for providing data inputs to the controller for at least one shipping job including origination and destination points, cargo size and target cost for the job.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimization module generates a displayable output on the visual display that includes one of at least one of a matching set of the vehicle route and the driver route proposal and a prioritized list of matching sets of vehicle route and driver route proposals.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes at least one server operatively coupled to a network selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet network, a cloud-based network and a cellular or satellite communications network.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a time optimization module integrated in the optimization module for providing route, driver and vehicle proposals with reduced transportation downtime between the first location and the second location of a selected job from the jobs database.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a cost optimization module integrated in the optimization module for providing route, driver and vehicle proposals with reduced transportation costs between the first location and the second location of a selected job from the jobs database.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a driver cabin sensor, a trailer volume capacity sensor and a trailer movement sensor.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the sensor comprises a smart device operatively coupled to the controller via a cellular communications network.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising a carrier and driver ratings module for integrating into the optimization module input ratings from users to be integrated in vehicle and route optimization proposals generated by the controller.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising any one or more of the following modules for integrating into the optimization module input ratings from users to be integrated in vehicle and route optimization proposals generated by the controller, wherein the modules are selected from the group consisting of an vehicle, driver and asset liability insurance module, a driver moving violations module, a driver background check module, and a vendor and shipper credit rating module.

14. A method for optimizing individual vehicle use and optimizing a route for a vehicle traveling from a first location to a second location, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a controller configured to receive a plurality of data inputs from one or more databases initiated by a user, the controller including an optimization module, a mapping module and a memory module having stored therein a vehicle profile database, a driver profile database, and a route inquiry database, the controller further including a configurable driver time limiting module and a node assignment module for assigning one of an originating and arrival geographic location node along a route defined by the first and second location for one of a driver substitution and equipment exchange;

inputting a vehicle data input, a driver data input and a route inquiry data into a user input device operatively coupled to the controller; and

displaying at a visual display unit operatively coupled to the controller and the user input device at least one vehicle route, at least one driver route with integrated driver time limit and at least one geographic node along one of the vehicle and driver route received from the controller.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising configuring the driver time and node assignments to facilitate short trip legs based on time and energy limitations for alternative fuel vehicles that include electric, ethanol and natural gas.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising generating a contract proposal for between users after a proposed route, driver and equipment proposal has been accepted.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising generating a payment plan between parties to the contract after contract acceptance.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating a route, vehicle and driver plan in response to a job inquiry via a time optimize module based on reduced transportation time between the first and second locations.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating a route, vehicle and driver plan in response to a job inquiry via a cost optimize module based on reduced transportation cost between the first and second locations.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing at least one sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a driver cabin sensor, a trailer volume capacity sensor and a trailer movement sensor.