Dynamic location based cost minimization

• US 20060095390A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher S. Leberknight
• Original Assignee: Christopher S. Leberknight
• Inventors: Leberknight, Christopher S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,406,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A computer is programmed to receive data concerning a current location of a vehicle, a plurality of gas prices at a plurality of gas stations, and a plurality of locations, one location for each of the plurality of gas stations. The computer is programmed to determine a first gas station of the plurality of gas stations based on the current location of the vehicle, the plurality of gas prices, and the plurality of locations such that driving the vehicle from the current location to the first gas station and then to a final destination requires a first cost of gas, which is less than or equal to the cost of gas of driving the vehicle from the current location to any other gas station and then to the final destination. The data concerning the current location of the vehicle may be received from a global positioning system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a computer;

wherein the computer is programmed to receive data concerning the current location of a vehicle;

wherein the computer is programmed to receive data concerning a plurality of gas prices at a plurality of gas stations, one gas price for each of the plurality of gas stations;

wherein the computer is programmed to receive data concerning a plurality of locations, one location for each of the plurality of gas stations;

wherein the plurality of locations are different;

and wherein the computer is programmed to determine a first gas station of the plurality of gas stations based on the current location of the vehicle, the plurality of gas prices, and the plurality of locations such that driving the vehicle from the current location to the first gas station and then to a final destination requires a first cost of gas; and

wherein the first cost of gas is less than or equal to the cost of gas of driving the vehicle from the current location to any gas station of the plurality of gas stations other than the first gas station and then to the final destination.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the computer is programmed to receive data concerning the current location of the vehicle from a global positioning system.

3. A method comprising the steps of

receiving data concerning the current location of a vehicle;

receiving data concerning a plurality of gas prices at a plurality of gas stations, one gas price for each of the plurality of gas stations;

receiving data concerning a plurality of locations, one location for each of the plurality of gas stations;

wherein the plurality of locations are different;

and determining a first gas station of the plurality of gas stations based on the current location of the vehicle, the plurality of gas prices, and the plurality of locations such that driving the vehicle from the current location to the first gas station and then to a final destination requires a first cost of gas; and

wherein the first cost of gas is less than or equal to the cost of gas of driving the vehicle from the current location to any gas station of the plurality of gas stations other than the first gas station and then to the final destination.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein

the data concerning the current location of the vehicle is received from a global positioning system.