Coin operated device collection scheduler
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for determining and outputting an optimal collection date for a coin operated device, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. a processor determining a base revenue and a target revenue for the coin operated device;
b. the processor adjusting the determined base revenue to account for weather and seasonal variations in expected revenue;
c. using the adjusted base revenue, the processor determining the optimal collection date;
d. the processor adjusting the optimal collection date to coincide with an actual collection date, wherein the step of adjusting the collection date includes selecting from data stored in a collection route information database an actual collection date just prior to the determined optimal collection date; and
e. outputting the adjusted optimal collection date from the processor to create a coin collection schedule.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining an optimal coin operated coin collection date accounts for weather and seasonal effects on the expected revenue stream. One method according to the present invention may include: determining the expected base revenue for the coin operated device; adjusting, if necessary, the expected base revenue to account for the effects of weather and season; and determining the optimal collection date using the adjusted revenue.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method for determining and outputting an optimal collection date for a coin operated device, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. a processor determining a base revenue and a target revenue for the coin operated device; b. the processor adjusting the determined base revenue to account for weather and seasonal variations in expected revenue; c. using the adjusted base revenue, the processor determining the optimal collection date; d. the processor adjusting the optimal collection date to coincide with an actual collection date, wherein the step of adjusting the collection date includes selecting from data stored in a collection route information database an actual collection date just prior to the determined optimal collection date; and e. outputting the adjusted optimal collection date from the processor to create a coin collection schedule. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
-
-
2. A method for determining and outputting an optimal collection date for a coin operated device, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. a processor determining a base revenue and a target revenue for the coin operated device, wherein the step of determining the base revenue and target revenue uses data stored in a previous collection database and further includes; a1. eliminating from consideration unreliable previous collection data; a2. adjusting reliable previous collection data to eliminate volatility due to weather and seasonal effects; a3. using the adjusted data, determining a previous revenue stream; and a4. using the previous revenue stream, determining the base and target revenue; b. a processor adjusting the determined base revenue to account for weather and seasonal variations in expected revenue; c. using the adjusted base revenue, the processor determining the optimal collection date; and d. outputting the determined optimal collection date from the processor to create a coin collection schedule. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
10. A method for determining and outputting an optimal collection date for a coin operated device, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. a processor determining a base revenue and a target revenue for the coin operated device; b. a processor adiusting the determined base revenue to account for weather and seasonal variations in expected revenue; c. using the adjusted base revenue, the processor determining the optimal collection date, wherein the step determining the optimal collection date includes adding adjusted revenue stream units until a total added adjusted revenue stream is a greatest amount not exceeding the target revenue; and d. outputting the determined optimal collection date from the processor to create a coin collection schedule.
-
-
11. A method for determining and outputting an effect of weather on a coin operated device revenue stream, using data stored in a previous collection database, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. a processor eliminating unreliable previous collection data; b. the processor determining revenue stream volatility from reliable previous collection date data; and c. using the reliable data, the processor determining weather indices; d. outputting the determined weather indices from the processor to create a coin collection schedule. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for determining a seasonal effect on a coin operated device revenue stream, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. a processor determining if sufficient previous revenue collection data exists to determine a valid seasonal effect; b. the processor, using the previous revenue collection data, determining a deviation of a revenue stream for a seasonal block from an annual average revenue stream; and c. outputting the determined deviation of the revenue stream from the processor to create a coin collection schedule. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
-
22. A device for determining an optimal collection date for a coin operated device, comprising:
-
a. a first database containing collection and revenue data; b. a second database containing weather information; c. a third database containing collection route information; d. a processor responsive to the first, second, and third databases and configured to determine the optimal collection date for the coin operated device based on data in the databases; and e. an input and output connected to the processor, such that said output outputs the determined optimal collection date to create a coin collection schedule. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
Specification