CONTROL SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME COMPLEX RESOURCE ALLOCATION
First Claim
1. A control system for real-time complex resource allocation with a geographically distributed real-time varying demand for resources, the control system comprising:
- a central control server configured to receive through a computer network a resource request for provision of a mobile resource to a specified geographic location from a remotely located requester device;
a central data store electronically storing real-time resource information regarding a plurality of complex mobile resources, the resource information comprising availability, a current location and a next destination of each of the mobile resources; and
a plurality of geographically-distributed local supply computers for controlling the location positioning of the plurality of mobile resources, each local supply computer comprising;
a local data store electronically storing, for each mobile resource being controlled by the local supply computer, a unique identifier of each of the mobile resources and local resource information relating to the location and status of each mobile resource; and
a communication interface for communicating the local resource information to the central control server for updating the central data store to provide a real-time view of the location and status of the mobile resources;
wherein the central control server is configured to receive the resource request from the requester device, to match the request with the resource information provided in the central data store, to prepare an allocation proposal specifying at least one selected mobile resource for the requester device on the basis of the matching and, in response to the allocation proposal of the mobile resource being confirmed as acceptable, to transmit an allocation instruction to the local supply computer controlling the at least one selected mobile resource;
wherein the central control server and plurality of geographically-distributed local supply computers each comprise a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for real-time complex resource allocation with a geographically distributed real-time varying demand for resources is described. The control system comprises: a central control server (1) arranged to receive a resource request for provision of a mobile resource to a specified geographic location from a remotely located requester device (3); a central data store (4, 5) storing real-time resource information regarding a plurality of complex mobile resources, the resource information comprising the availability, current location and the next destination of each of the mobile resources; and a plurality of geographically-distributed local supply computers for controlling the location positioning of the plurality of mobile resources. Each local supply computer comprises: a local data store (6) storing, for each mobile resource being controlled by the local supply computer, a unique identifier.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A control system for real-time complex resource allocation with a geographically distributed real-time varying demand for resources, the control system comprising:
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a central control server configured to receive through a computer network a resource request for provision of a mobile resource to a specified geographic location from a remotely located requester device; a central data store electronically storing real-time resource information regarding a plurality of complex mobile resources, the resource information comprising availability, a current location and a next destination of each of the mobile resources; and a plurality of geographically-distributed local supply computers for controlling the location positioning of the plurality of mobile resources, each local supply computer comprising; a local data store electronically storing, for each mobile resource being controlled by the local supply computer, a unique identifier of each of the mobile resources and local resource information relating to the location and status of each mobile resource; and a communication interface for communicating the local resource information to the central control server for updating the central data store to provide a real-time view of the location and status of the mobile resources; wherein the central control server is configured to receive the resource request from the requester device, to match the request with the resource information provided in the central data store, to prepare an allocation proposal specifying at least one selected mobile resource for the requester device on the basis of the matching and, in response to the allocation proposal of the mobile resource being confirmed as acceptable, to transmit an allocation instruction to the local supply computer controlling the at least one selected mobile resource; wherein the central control server and plurality of geographically-distributed local supply computers each comprise a computer processor and an electronic storage medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer-implemented method of controlling real-time complex resource allocation with a geographically distributed real-time varying demand for resources, the computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving through a computer network a resource request at a central control server for provision of a mobile resource to a specified geographic location from a remotely located requester device; storing real-time resource information regarding a plurality of complex mobile resources in an electronic central data store, the resource information comprising availability, a current location and a next destination of each of the mobile resources; and controlling the location positioning of the plurality of mobile resources using a plurality of geographically distributed local supply computers; storing for each mobile resource being controlled by the local supply computer, a unique identifier of each of the mobile resources and local resource information relating to the location and status of each mobile resource at the local supply computer; and communicating the local resource data electronically to the central control server for updating the central data store to provide a real-time view of the location and status of the mobile resources; matching, using the central control server, the resource request with the resource information provided in the central data store; preparing, using the central control server, an allocation proposal specifying at least one selected mobile resource for the requester device on the basis of the matching; and in response to the allocation proposal of the mobile resource being confirmed as acceptable, transmitting an allocation instruction to the local supply computer controlling the at least one selected mobile resource; wherein the central control server and plurality of geographically distributed local supply computers each comprise a computer processor and an electronic storage medium.
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Specification