System and method for selecting multiple sites using weighted bands

• US 7,877,287 B1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bailey G. William
• Original Assignee: Bailey G. William
• Inventors: Bailey, G. William
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett, Scott L
• Application Number:
  US12/213,343
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 705/10
• US Class Current: 705/7.31
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0202 Market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models

Abstract

After defining a relevant market area around a selected geographical point, a map is generated using stored geographical map information around a selected geographical point and a geographical area is selected around that point. Multiple bands are formed on the map around the geographical point and market information is gathered from a database for the defined geographical area. The bands are weighted based according to empirical data drawn from within the market area, if available, or from data from a demographically matched location. A net demand model is constructed to perform point studies, comparison studies, area studies, and multi-unit simulations for the selected geographical area.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for selecting multiple sites using weighted bands, the method comprising:

defining market areas corresponding to a plurality of sites within a geographic region, the market areas being associated with corresponding population data;

establishing a plurality of bands for at least one of the market areas;

weighting the plurality of bands according to a market-related factor, the step of weighting comprising weighting the population data associated with the market areas, and applying individual weights to the bands;

applying a net demand model to the weighted bands, the step of applying comprising;

obtaining supply and demand data for the bands based on the weighted population data associated with the market areas;

adjusting the supply and demand data based on the individual weights applied to the bands; and

generating, for at least one of the sites, values of parameters associated with the net demand model, based on at least the adjusted supply and demand data;

assigning cash in-flows and cash out-flows to the at least one of the sites, the assignment being based on at least the generated values;

calculating, using a processor, financial indicators for subsets of the sites, based on at least the assigned cash in-flows and cash out-flows; and

selecting one of the subsets of sites based on at least the calculated financial indicators.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the financial indicator comprises:

calculating at least one of an internal rate of return for the subsets of the sites, a modified internal rate of return for the subsets of the sites, or a net present value for the subsets of the sites.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of establishing comprises:

establishing the plurality of bands for each of the market areas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of generating comprises generating the values of the parameters associated for each of the sites; and

the step of assigning comprises assigning the cash in-flows and the cash out-flows to each of the sites.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

clustering the plurality of bands to form a smaller number of bands,

wherein the step of weighting comprises;

weighting the smaller number of bands using weights that are empirically derived from data associated with the market areas.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

validating the financial indicators.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

relating the generated values of the parameters to a discounted cash flow, the discounted cash flow being based on the cash in-flows and cash out-flows assigned to the at least one of the sites.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting the plurality of sites based on travel time or travel distance.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of weighting the population data comprises:

assigning weight factors to the population data based on one or more of age, disability, or housing value.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deriving the individual weights for the plurality of bands from the population data associated with the market areas.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deriving the individual weights for the plurality of bands from population data of a market area demographically similar to at least one of the defined market areas.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of defining the market areas comprises:

defining the market areas based on travel time or travel distance.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor for executing program instructions; and

a memory storing the program instructions, the program instructions being executed by the processor to;

define market areas corresponding to a plurality of sites within a geographic region, the market areas being associated with corresponding population data;

establish a plurality of bands for at least one of the market areas;

weight the plurality of bands according to a market-related factor, the program instructions being further executed to;

weight the population data associated with the market areas; and

apply individual weights to the bands;

apply a net demand model to the weighted bands, the program instructions being further executed to;

obtain supply and demand data for the bands based on the weighted population data associated with the market areas;

adjust the supply and demand data based on the individual weights applied to the bands; and

generate, for at least one of the sites, values of parameters associated with the net demand model, based on at least the adjusted supply and demand data;

assign cash in-flows and cash out-flows to the at least one of the sites, the assignment being based on at least the generated values;

calculate financial indicators for subsets of the sites, based on at least the assigned cash in-flows and cash out-flows; and

select one of the subsets of sites based on at least the calculated financial indicators.

14. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executed on a processor to perform a method for selecting multiple sites using weighted bands, the method comprising:

defining market areas corresponding to a plurality of sites within a geographic region, the market areas being associated with corresponding population data;

establishing a plurality of bands for at least one of the market areas;

weighting the plurality of bands according to a market-related factor, the step of weighting comprising weighting the population data associated with the market areas, and applying individual weights to the bands;

applying a net demand model to the weighted bands, the step of applying comprising;

obtaining supply and demand data for the bands based on the weighted population data associated with the market areas;

adjusting the supply and demand data based on the individual weights applied to the bands; and

generating, for at least one of the sites, values of parameters associated with the net demand model, based on at least the adjusted supply and demand data;

assigning cash in-flows and cash out-flows to the at least one of the sites, the assignment being based on at least the generated values;

calculating financial indicators for subsets of the sites, based on at least the assigned cash in-flows and cash out-flows; and

selecting one of the subsets of sites based on at least the calculated financial indicators.