Geo-segregated scheduled delivery optimization engine

• US 10,380,536 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2018
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shurpa, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Shurpa, Inc.
• Inventors: Fornell, Benjamin James, Doms, Brendan Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Alan S
• Application Number:
  US16/115,554
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 705 711- 742
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment

Abstract

An all-encompassing system for planning and optimizing scheduled delivery appointments (or attended deliveries) through the utilization of a software tool having two major constituents: an asynchronously operating background advanced, genetic route optimization algorithm and an algorithm-informed communication user interface (whether through digital, or even analog, pathways, such as, without limitation, SMS, email, IM, and the like, oral communications, or any other possible means of communication). Such a system employs the optimization algorithm to determine efficient routes for delivery services in response to selections from contacted customers via the communication user interface. In this manner, the system allows for an initial base route generation from a set population of responding customers and negotiation through the communication user interface for a delivery time in relation to such a route. Subsequent responses are introduced in relation to the route in efficient manner by the algorithm as well.

Claims

1. A delivery scheduling system for effectively and efficiently generating delivery routes and schedules between a delivery client and a plurality of delivery customers, said system comprising a main server hub including a route optimization algorithm and at least four other sub-systems directly accessible to said main server hub, said sub-systems comprising:

a) at least one geolocation server;

b) at least one routing server;

c) at least one external conversational user interface component for communication between said plurality of delivery customers and said main server hub algorithm; and

d) at least one API for communication between a delivery client and said main server hub route optimization algorithm server;

wherein said at least one geolocation server stores addresses for said plurality of delivery customers, wherein said at least one API acts as a conduit for transmitting delivery order requests regarding said plurality of delivery customers from said delivery client to said main server hub algorithm, wherein said at least one external conversational user interface component acts as a conduit for said main server hub algorithm to request and receive delivery time requests within a certain time window from said plurality of delivery customers, wherein said main server hub algorithm correlates received delivery time requests from a predetermined number of responses below the full number of said plurality of delivery customers with addresses for the same from said geolocation server in order to generate possible routes for delivery associated with such received delivery customer time requests with said possible routes compared internally to meet a certain viability score level with the optimal result chosen and placed on said routing server as an initial framework, wherein said main server hub algorithm provides a confirmation of a narrow delivery window to responsive delivery customers upon initial framework route generation with the potential for any responsive delivery customer to request modification of such a narrow delivery window confirmation, wherein said main server hub provides subsequent requests to nonresponsive delivery customers in order to update said initial route framework with subsequent replies of requested narrow delivery time windows and providing confirmations thereof as said delivery route is updated in relation to such subsequent responses and/or said requests for modifications from confirmed delivery customers.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said delivery scheduling pertains to the delivery of goods, services, or both.

3. A method of scheduling the delivery of a plurality of goods, services, or both, within a predetermined time window for a single transport vehicle or a plurality of transport vehicles, said method utilizing the system of claim 1 and comprising the steps of:

i) said delivery client transmits through said API a plurality of orders to said main server hub algorithm including delivery customer addresses, delivery dates, delivery promised times, and customer mobile phone numbers for each of said plurality of customers associated with said plurality of orders for said delivery date;

ii) said main server hub algorithm generates communications with each of said plurality of customers requesting a response indicating a selected delivery time and alternatives thereof for each customer, wherein said communications are provided via said at least one external conversational user interface component;

iii) a population of said plurality of customers provides responses to said main server hub request, wherein said predetermined number of responses below the full number of said plurality of customers allows for generation of pre-routes for delivery purposes associated with said plurality of orders by said main server hub algorithm, wherein said pre-route result is produced through a consideration of multiple variables associated with said delivery client capabilities and desired efficiencies, and upon generation of said pre-route result, said main server hub algorithm generates confirmations for transmission through said at least one external conversational user interface component notifying said responding customers of accepted narrow delivery times within the requested time periods indicated within said customer requests, and the ability for said confirmed customers to request modification thereof, if desired;

iv) wherein said main server hub algorithm continues to seek responses from the group of customers that have not provided such replies prior to pre-route result generation, wherein such algorithm requests include available narrow delivery time windows in relation to said already generated pre-route results and already determined delivery times for such confirmed customers;

wherein upon receipt of such responses said main server hub algorithm generates pre-route adjustments to accommodate such subsequent customer requests in order of receipt without modifying the confirmed customer delivery time periods, wherein confirmations are generated and communicated through said at least one external conversational user interface component to said subsequently responding customers, wherein said confirmations notifying such subsequently responding customers of accepted narrow delivery times within the adjusted pre-route results, and the ability for said subsequently confirmed customers to request modification thereof, if desired, wherein said continued requests for responses from said main server hub algorithm continue until all eligible delivery customers within said plurality related to said plurality of orders have been provided with a narrow delivery time window;

v) said main server hub algorithm then generating a final route with all delivery times and addresses determined; and

vi) said delivery client then providing delivery of said plurality of orders to said correlated plurality of delivery customers in alignment with said final generated route.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said delivery scheduling pertains to the delivery of goods, services, or both.