METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MINIMAL DETOUR ROUTING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS
First Claim
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1. A method for optimizing a route with a plurality of detours, comprising the steps of:
- using at least one computer or other data processor to receive as input;
a start point,an end point, andat least one constraint requiring a route between said start point and said end point to pass through at least one selected intermediate point; and
using at least one computer or other data processor to provide as output a route that starts at said start point, ends at said end point, satisfies said constraint, and optimizes a given object function.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for optimizing routes that include multiple stops. This is accomplished by allowing users to identify a starting point, a destination, and types of businesses or other locations to be visited along the way. A route processor then provides users with a list of stores or other requested detour choices yielding a trip of optimal itinerary. The detour choices may be either an ordered sequence or an unordered set of points to be visited and may include constraints that make it possible to optimize utility functions according to user preferences.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for optimizing a route with a plurality of detours, comprising the steps of:
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using at least one computer or other data processor to receive as input; a start point, an end point, and at least one constraint requiring a route between said start point and said end point to pass through at least one selected intermediate point; and using at least one computer or other data processor to provide as output a route that starts at said start point, ends at said end point, satisfies said constraint, and optimizes a given object function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for optimizing a route with a plurality of detours, comprising:
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at least one route processor receiving as input; a start point, an end point, and at least one constraint requiring a route between said start point and said end point to pass through at least one selected intermediate point; and said at least one route processor providing as output a route that starts at said start point, ends at said end point, satisfies said constraint, and optimizes a given object function. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A machine-readable medium for optimizing a route with a plurality of detours, on which are provided:
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machine-readable instructions for at least one computer or other data processor to receive as input; a start point, an end point, and at least one constraint requiring a route between said start point and said end point to pass through at least one selected intermediate point; and machine-readable instructions for at least one computer or other data processor to provide as output a route that starts at said start point, ends at said end point, satisfies said constraint, and optimizes a given object function.
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Specification