SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A MIXED FLEET TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

• US 20190050807A1
• Filed: 10/12/2018
• Published: 02/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
• Inventors: Ferguson, David, Zhu, Jiajun, Leipold, Cosimo, Jirapinyo, Pichayut
• Granted Patent: US 11,551,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/52 Adding ingredients adding preservatives A23L2/44
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/00 Preparation or treatment of foods or foodstuffs, in general; Food or foodstuffs obtained thereby; Materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 7/109 Types of pasta, e.g. macaroni or noodles
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0658 specially adapted for cooking pizza
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/00 Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass; Cutting-boards, e.g. for bread bowls for food processors A47J43/0727
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00364 for caravans or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00735 Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/36 using endless chains or belts thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/007 for delivery of small articles, e.g. milk, frozen articles
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/0257 the object being a vending stall, restaurant or food kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/18 characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/346 means outside vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/34 Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians B60R19/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/408 Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/08 : Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/001 : Planning or execution of driving tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0017 : of other traffic participants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/00256 : Delivery operations
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 : for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 : autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2209/06 : Use of order trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/24 : Unloading land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 : Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 : Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3438 : Rendez-vous, i.e. searching a destination where several users can meet, and the routes to this destination for these users; Ride sharing, i.e. searching a route such that at least two users can share a vehicle for at least part of the route
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3453 : Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0027 : involving a plurality of vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling fleet control of land vehicles from a control room G05D1/0297; traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/00; for marine craft G08G3/00; for aircraft G08G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 : by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 : by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 : characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 : involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0212 : with means for defining a desired trajectory involving a plurality of land vehicles G05D1/0287
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0231 : using optical position detecting means position-fixing by using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. optical position detecting means G01S5/16
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0276 : using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 : Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 : by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 : by controlling means in a control room
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/12 : Target-seeking control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 : using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 : using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 : the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 : arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 : Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 : 1D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 : Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 : Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 : Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 : Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 : Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 : Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 : Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0834 : Choice of carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 : Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 : Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0837 : Return transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 : Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 : Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 : involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 : based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 : Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 : Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 : Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 : Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 : exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/64 : Three-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 : for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 : Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 : using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 : operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 : specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 : the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0057 : for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs car rental G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 : comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 : using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 : Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/22 : Platooning, i.e. convoy of communicating vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/048 : Advertisement panels on sides, front or back of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/688 : for thawing

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing transportation or delivery services using a fleet of mixed vehicles. A computer-implemented method of providing services using a fleet of mixed vehicles includes receiving at a server a request for a service, determining parameters for the service, selecting by the server a vehicle from a fleet of mixed vehicles to perform at least a portion of the service based on the determined parameters, and transmitting a message to the selected vehicle to perform the at least a portion of the service. The fleet of mixed vehicles includes at least two of: a semi-autonomous vehicle, a fully-autonomous vehicle, a vehicle remotely operated by a human, or a human driven vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing services using a fleet of mixed vehicles, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server, a request for a service;

determining parameters for the service;

selecting, by the server, a vehicle from a fleet of mixed vehicles to perform at least a portion of the service based on the determined parameters, wherein the fleet of mixed vehicles includes at least two of;

a semi-autonomous vehicle, a fully-autonomous vehicle, a vehicle remotely operated by a human, or a human-driven vehicle; and

transmitting a message to the selected vehicle to perform the at least a portion of the service.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the parameters include at least one of:

distance, location, customer'"'"'s preference, vehicle type, size of a requested good, weight of a requested good, time, service-level agreement, optimal delivery route, speed limit, or weather or road conditions at, near, or en route the location of the customer receiving the service.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the service includes transporting or delivering a good or product.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising determining one or more paths for the selected vehicle.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the selected vehicle performing the service.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the server, a message that the selected vehicle has completed performing the requested service; and

identifying the selected vehicle as being available for performing another requested service.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting information regarding the request for the service to a service provider.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining requests for services from multiple customers located near each other; and

determining a path to deliver the services to the multiple customers using the selected vehicle.

9. A system for providing transportation or delivery services using a fleet of mixed vehicles, the system comprising:

a portal or communications interface configured to receive a request for a service and to transmit information regarding the progress of the service, wherein the request includes scheduling information;

one or more processors; and

a memory having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to;

determine parameters for the service based on the request;

select an appropriate vehicle from a fleet of mixed vehicles to perform at least a portion of the service based on the determined parameters, wherein the fleet of mixed vehicles includes at least two of;

a semi-autonomous vehicle, a fully-autonomous vehicle, a vehicle remotely operated by a human, or a human-driven vehicle; and

transmit a message to the selected vehicle to perform the at least a portion of the service.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the parameters include at least one of:

distance, location, customer'"'"'s preference, vehicle type, size of a requested good, weight of a requested good, time, service-level agreement, optimal delivery route, speed limit, or weather or road conditions at, near, or en route the location of the customer receiving the service.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the service includes transporting or delivering a good or product.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to determine one or more paths for each of the vehicles of the fleet based on geographical data.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein determining one or more paths for the selected vehicle includes determining an optimal path for the selected vehicle based on the parameters for the service and geographical data.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to monitor the selected vehicle performing the service.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the scheduling information includes repeat deliveries.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to:

receive a message that the selected vehicle has completed performing the requested service; and

identify the selected vehicle as being available for performing another requested service.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to transmit information regarding the request for the service to a service provider.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to:

determine requests for services from multiple customers located near each other; and

determine a path to deliver the services to the multiple customers using the selected vehicle.