Dynamic forecasting for forward reservation of cab

• US 10,593,005 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2015
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meru Cab Company Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Meru Cab Company Private Limited
• Inventors: Sangoi, Nilesh, Reddy, Manohar, Sastry, Suryaganesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayles, Ashford S
• Application Number:
  US15/508,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20170301054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for forward reservation of a cab. The method comprises receiving a first data set from a portable device, wherein the first data comprises a pick up location, a drop location, a scheduled time and a scheduled date. Further, mapping the first data set with a second data set, wherein the second data set is based on a predicated data and a current data. The method further comprises transmitting a third data set to the portable device. The method comprises receiving a confirmation message for the forward reservation from the portable device. Further, initiating a bid process for the forward reservation at a pre-defined interval before the scheduled time. Further, the method comprises capturing a plurality of bids received and selecting a winning. Further, assigning the forward reservation for the cab to either the winning bid or to a cab borrowed from one or more of neighbouring zone and transmitting a first set of information to the portable device.

Claims

1. A method for forward reservation of a cab, the method comprising:

receiving, a first data set by a data module in a central server, from a portable device in communication with the central server, wherein the first data set comprises a pick up location, a drop location, a scheduled time and a scheduled date;

mapping, by the data module in the central server, the first data set with a second data set, wherein the second data set is based on a predicted data and a current data, wherein the predicted data is provided by a forecast module;

transmitting, by the data module in the central server, a third data set to the portable device, wherein the third data set is based on the mapping of the first data set and the second data set;

receiving, at the central server, a confirmation message for the forward reservation of the cab from the portable device;

segregating a geographical region of a cab into a pre-defined zone and a borrowing zone by a location module in the central server;

retrieving, by the central server, a cab availability data from at least one of the pre-defined zone and the borrowing zone;

assigning, by the central server, the forward reservation to the cab selected from at least one winning bid, or available in the at least one of the predefined zone and the borrowing zone; and

transmitting, by the central server, a first set of information to the portable device, wherein the first set of information comprises contact details of the cab.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating, by the forecast module, the second data set comprising the predicted data and the current data by:

capturing a historical data for pre-defined parameters;

applying a forecast analysis using the forecast module to the historical data;

deriving the predicted data; and

capturing the current data of a plurality of cabs from a mobile data terminal embedded in each of the plurality of cabs.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing, by a bidding module in the central server, a plurality of bids, wherein capturing the plurality of bids comprises:

initiating a bid process for the forward reservation at a pre-defined interval before the scheduled time received in the first data set;

retrieving the current data;

capturing at least one information pertaining to one or more of availability of the cab, last reservation, distance between the cab and the pickup location, and soon to be free information from one or more drivers in close proximity; and

selecting a winning bid from the plurality of bids.

4. A system for forward reservation of a cab, the system comprising:

a portable device comprising an embedded application, wherein the application is configured to capture a first data set, wherein the first data set comprises a pick up location, a drop location, and a scheduled date;

a mobile data terminal mounted on each cab from a plurality of cabs; and

a central server comprising a forecast module, a data module, a bidding module, and a location module, wherein the central server is configured to;

receive, by the data module, the first data set from the portable device, map, by the data module, the first data set with a second data set, wherein the second data set is based on a predicted data and a current data, wherein the predicted data is provided by the forecast module;

transmit, by the data module, a third data set to the portable device, wherein the third data set is based on the mapping of the first data set and the second data set;

receive a confirmation message for the forward reservation of the cab from the portable device;

segregate, by the location module, a geographical region of a cab into a predefined zone and a borrowing zone;

retrieve a cab availability data from at least one of the pre-defined zone and the borrowing zone;

assign the forward reservation to the cab selected from at least one winning bid, or available in the at least one of the predefined zone and the borrowing zone; and

transmit a first set of information to the portable device, wherein the first set of information comprises contact details of the cab.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pickup location and the drop location is selected using at least one of selecting from a map rendered on the portable device and text input.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the mobile data terminal comprises a communication module configured to communicate with the central server.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the communication module communicates current data to the central server, wherein the current data pertain to at least one of availability of the cab, last reservation, and distance between the cab and the pickup location.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the mobile data terminal further comprises a location module, configured to capture a current location of the cab.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the predicted data is based on historical data.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the historical data is stored and retrieved from the data module.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the bidding module is configured to initiate a bidding process and select a winning bid.

12. The system of claim 4, wherein a location of the cab is further mapped to the pre-defined zone.