Method and system for utilizing drive-time calculation

• US 20080306791A1
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Rubertone
• Original Assignee: Robert Rubertone
• Inventors: Rubertone, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/154,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20080306791A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment

Abstract

Described is a method and system for tracking leads and setting appointments. In the method and system an inquiry is received from a prospect. The zip code of a location for the prospect is entered into a database on a computer system. This database contains the estimated drive time between every pair of zip codes in a preselected territory. All prior recorded appointments in the database that are scheduled for future dates and times are identified and the estimated drive time from each of said appointments to the zip code location of the prospect is determined. A table of the estimated drive times from the prospect to the prior recorded appointments is created so that an appointment time and date can be selected with the shortest drive time.

Claims

1. a method for tracking leads and setting appointments comprising:

a) receiving an inquiry from a prospect;

b) entering the zip code of a location for the prospect into a database on a computer system, said database containing the estimated drive time between every pair of zip codes in a preselected territory;

c) identifying all prior recorded appointments in the database that are scheduled for future dates and times and determining the estimated drive time from each of said appointments to the zip code location of said prospect;

d) creating a table of the estimated drive times from the prospect to said prior recorded appointments so that an appointment time and date can be selected with the shortest drive time.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said data base has a zip code distance matrix with the estimated drive time and estimated distance to and from each zip code in the matrix.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the future appointments are joined with the zip code of said prospect to create a temporary recordset with appointment information and prospect information.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the best time for the appointment based on calculating the driving time and mileage said prior recorded appointments.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein a lead is created to track prospect data.