Method for improving dispatch response time

• US 6,606,557 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kotzin, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/008,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 701/209, 701/210, 701/213, 701/117, 342/357.09, 342/357.1, 342/357.07, 340/988, 340/995, 340/989, 340/992
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

A dispatch system generally provides a means for collecting destination information, selecting a dispatch assignment (104) to be dispatched to the destination (102) and dispatching the selected assignment. In situations where the response time of the assignment is a critical factor, selecting the assignment with the shortest response time is desired. An improved method for improving response time of an assignment with the shortest response time incorporates assignment location, a road condition associated with each assignment, and the traffic conditions associated with each assignment. Event information is also considered in determining the best route and travel time from the mobile entity to the destination.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a dispatch assignment from a plurality of dispatch resources such that the fastest response time to a dispatch destination is achieved, the method comprising:

determining a geographical location of a dispatch destination;

determining a geographical location of a dispatch resource of a plurality of dispatch resources and a set of potential routes from at least two dispatch assignments from said plurality of dispatch assignments to said dispatch destination;

calculating a shortest route from said dispatch resource to said dispatch destination;

determining a traffic condition associated with each said dispatch resource of said plurality of dispatch resources between said dispatch resource and said dispatch destination;

estimating a response time of each of said dispatch resources from said plurality of dispatch resources based on a roadway condition of said dispatch resource, said traffic condition, and a shortest distance to said dispatch destination; and

selecting the dispatch assignment with the shortest response time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said geographical location of said each dispatch resource is determined by Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said GPS information is transmitted from a cellular radiotelephone located at said each dispatch resource.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said shortest distance is a lowest roadway mileage.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein traffic condition information is provided by a traffic service.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said roadway condition is further comprised of a roadway hierarchy providing said roadway condition with a road level.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said road level is determined by road size, road location, speed limit and number of lanes.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said traffic condition comprises the average traffic speed.

9. A method of selecting the fastest dispatch route from at least one dispatch assignment to at least one dispatch destination, said method comprising:

tracking the relative geographical position of a plurality of dispatch resources;

identifying the geographical position of a dispatch destination relative to said plurality of dispatch resources;

determining a set of routes from said plurality of dispatch resources to said dispatch destination;

determining a traffic condition of each route of a set of possible routes;

calculating the travel time of said each route of said set of routes; and

selecting a route from a first set of possible routes with the lowest travel time.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving geographical position information from said plurality of dispatch resources determined by GPS.