Allocation of location-based orders to mobile agents
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method of allocating a location-related order to one of a plurality of mobile agents, said method being carried out by an ordering server programmed to carry out the steps of the method, which comprise:
- a) maintaining a current order record identifying a first location and first time at which each agent is expected to become free to fulfill a new order;
b) maintaining a prioritized listing of locations including both scheduled locations which an agent is currently due to visit and unscheduled locations which said agent is not currently due to visit, with locations in said listing being prioritized to rank both the scheduled and unscheduled locations for said agent according to availability of the agent to reach each location after said first time, said availability having been calculated for each location irrespective of whether or not said agent is currently due to visit a particular location in said listing;
c) receiving said location-based order and recording the location and time at which said order is to be fulfilled;
d) determining from said prioritized listing of locations a suitable agent to fulfill said order; and
e) allocating said order to said suitable agent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of allocating a location-related order to one of a number of mobile agents, such as taxicabs, delivery or repair vehicles. The method involves the following steps:
- a) holding current order details which identify at least the location and time at which each agent is expected to become free to fulfill new orders;
- b) keeping a listing of locations, where each location in the listing is prioritised for an agent according to the availability of the agent to reach that location after the agent becomes free;
- c) receiving a new order and recording the location and time at which this order is to be fulfilled;
- d) deciding, based on the prioritised listing of locations, which agent(s) are most suitable to take the new order; and
- e) allocating the new order to the identified agent(s).
49 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of allocating a location-related order to one of a plurality of mobile agents, said method being carried out by an ordering server programmed to carry out the steps of the method, which comprise:
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a) maintaining a current order record identifying a first location and first time at which each agent is expected to become free to fulfill a new order; b) maintaining a prioritized listing of locations including both scheduled locations which an agent is currently due to visit and unscheduled locations which said agent is not currently due to visit, with locations in said listing being prioritized to rank both the scheduled and unscheduled locations for said agent according to availability of the agent to reach each location after said first time, said availability having been calculated for each location irrespective of whether or not said agent is currently due to visit a particular location in said listing; c) receiving said location-based order and recording the location and time at which said order is to be fulfilled; d) determining from said prioritized listing of locations a suitable agent to fulfill said order; and e) allocating said order to said suitable agent. - 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 operating an ordering server for controlling location-based orders for a plurality of mobile agents, comprising the steps of:
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a) maintaining a current order record identifying for each agent a first location and first time at which the agent is expected to become free to fulfill a new order; b) maintaining a prioritized listing of locations including both scheduled locations which an agent is currently due to visit and unscheduled locations which said agent is not currently due to visit, with locations in said listing being prioritized to rank both the scheduled and unscheduled locations for said agent according to availability of the agent to reach each location after said first time, said availability having been calculated for each location irrespective of whether or not said agent is currently due to visit a particular location in said listing; and c) updating said current order record and said listing for an agent when a new order has been assigned to said agent resulting in a new first location and first time being identified.
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24. An ordering server for allocating location-based orders to a plurality of mobile agents associated with said server, comprising:
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a) a current order file storage area for maintaining a current order file which identifies for each agent a first location and first time at which the agent is expected to become free to fulfill a new order; b) a location priority listing storage area for maintaining a prioritized listing of locations including both scheduled locations which an agent is currently due to visit and unscheduled locations which said agent is not currently due to visit, with locations in said listing being prioritized to rank both the scheduled and unscheduled locations for said agent according to availability of the agent to reach each location after said first time, said availability having been calculated for each location irrespective of whether or not said agent is currently due to visit a particular location in said listing; c) an input interface for receiving said location-based order and recording the location and time at which said order is to be fulfilled; d) a processor for determining from said prioritized listing of locations a suitable agent to fulfill said order; and e) an output interface for allocating said order to said identified agent. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A non-transitory computer readable-medium storing program instructions which when executed in an ordering server cause said ordering server to:
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a) maintain for each agent a current order record identifying a first location and first time at which the agent is expected to become free to fulfill a new order; b) maintain for each agent a prioritized listing of locations in the vicinity of said first location including both scheduled locations which an agent is currently due to visit and unscheduled locations which said agent is not currently due to visit, with locations in said listing being prioritized to rank both the scheduled and unscheduled locations for said agent according to availability of the agent to reach each location after said first time, said availability having been calculated for each location irrespective of whether or not said agent is currently due to visit a particular location in said listing; c) receive said location-based order and recording the location and time at which said order is to be fulfilled; d) determine from said prioritized listing of locations a suitable agent to fulfill said order; and e) allocate said order to said identified agent.
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31. A communications network comprising an ordering server for allocating location-based orders to a plurality of mobile agents associated with said server, comprising:
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a) a current order file storage area for maintaining a current order file which identifies for each agent a first location and first time at which the agent is expected to become free to fulfill a new order; b) a location priority listing storage area for maintaining a prioritized listing of locations including both scheduled locations which an agent is currently due to visit and unscheduled locations which said agent is not currently due to visit, with locations in said listing being prioritized to rank both the scheduled and unscheduled locations for said agent according to availability of the agent to reach each location after said first time, said availability having been calculated for each location irrespective of whether or not said agent is currently due to visit a particular location in said listing; c) an input interface for receiving said location-based order and recording the location and time at which said order is to be fulfilled; d) a processor for determining from said prioritized listing of locations a suitable agent to fulfill said order; and e) an output interface for allocating said order to said identified agent.
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Specification