Overlapping geographic areas

• US 8,723,698 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2012
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Davidson, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US13/465,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20130281133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 340/933, 340/992, 340/995.14, 340/995.18, 340/995.19, 340/995.24, 340/991, 340/995.25, 700/240, 701/2, 701/24, 701/118, 701/422, 702/3
• US Class Current: 340/991
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/13 the indicator being in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/137 the indicator being in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying overlapping areas. For example, in one embodiment, telematics data can be collected as vehicles traverse various geographic areas. Then, the areas traversed by the vehicles can be displayed to identify overlapping areas.

Claims

1. A method for identifying an overlapping area, the method comprising:

electronically receiving telematics data associated with a first vehicle, wherein the telematics data is collected while the first vehicle operates within a first geographic area;

electronically receiving telematics data associated with a second vehicle, wherein the telematics data is collected while the second vehicle operates within a second geographic area;

electronically identifying an overlapping area, wherein (1) the overlapping area is identified based at least in part from the (a) telematics data associated with the first vehicle and (b) the telematics data associated with the second vehicle, and (2) at least a portion of the overlapping area is within the first geographic area and the second geographic area; and

assigning one or more detected locations in the overlapping area to at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle for travel to the detected locations.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising simultaneously causing display of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping geographic area on a graphical image of a map.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising simultaneously causing display of an outline of each of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping area on the graphical image of the map.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

electronically identifying one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the second geographic area; and

electronically assigning the one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the second geographic area to the first geographic area.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

electronically identifying one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the first geographic area; and

electronically assigning the one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the first geographic area to the second geographic area.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising simultaneously causing display of an outline of each of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping area on the graphical image of the map.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein (1) each of the respective outlines is a polygon and (2) the first geographic area and the second geographic area are respectively defined by geofences.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first geographic area comprises an area assigned to the first vehicle for delivery or pickup of one or more items; and

the second geographic area comprises an area assigned to the second vehicle for delivery or pickup of one or more other items.

9. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

receive telematics data associated with a first vehicle, wherein the telematics data is collected while the first vehicle operates within a first geographic area;

receive telematics data associated with a second vehicle, wherein the telematics data is collected while the second vehicle operates within a second geographic area;

identify an overlapping area, wherein (1) the overlapping area is identified based at least in part from the (a) telematics data associated with the first vehicle and (b) the telematics data associated with the second vehicle, and (2) at least a portion of the overlapping area is within the first geographic area and the second geographic area; and

assign one or more detected locations in the overlapping area to at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle for travel to the detected locations.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to simultaneously cause display of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping geographic area on a graphical image of a map.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to simultaneously cause display of an outline of each of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping area on the graphical image of the map.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

identify one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the second geographic area; and

assign the one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the second geographic area to the first geographic area.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:

identify one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the first geographic area; and

assign the one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the first geographic area to the second geographic area.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to simultaneously cause display of an outline of each of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping area on the graphical image of the map.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein (1) each of the respective outlines is a polygon and (2) the first geographic area and the second geographic area are respectively defined by geofences.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the first geographic area comprises an area assigned to the first vehicle for delivery or pickup of one or more items; and

the second geographic area comprises an area assigned to the second vehicle for delivery or pickup of one or more other items.

17. A computer program product for identifying an overlapping area, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to receive telematics data associated with a first vehicle, wherein the telematics data is collected while the first vehicle operates within a first geographic area;

an executable portion configured to receive telematics data associated with a second vehicle, wherein the telematics data is collected while the second vehicle operates within a second geographic area;

an executable portion configured to identify an overlapping area, wherein (1) the overlapping area is identified based at least in part from the (a) telematics data associated with the first vehicle and (b) the telematics data associated with the second vehicle, and (2) at least a portion of the overlapping area is within the first geographic area and the second geographic area; and

an executable portion configured to assign one or more detected locations in the overlapping area to at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle for travel to the detected locations.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising an executable portion configured to simultaneously cause display of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping geographic area on a graphical image of a map.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 further comprising an executable portion configured to simultaneously cause display of an outline of each of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping area on the graphical image of the map.

20. The computer program product of claim 18 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to identify one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the second geographic area; and

an executable portion configured to assign the one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the second geographic area to the first geographic area.

21. The computer program product of claim 18 further comprising:

an executable portion configured to identify one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the first geographic area; and

an executable portion configured to assign the one or more locations within the overlapping area and assigned to the first geographic area to the second geographic area.

22. The computer program product of claim 21 further comprising an executable portion configured to simultaneously cause display of an outline of each of the first geographic area, the second geographic area, and the overlapping area on the graphical image of the map.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein (1 ) each of the respective outlines is a polygon and (2) the first geographic area and the second geographic area are respectively defined by geofences.

24. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein:

the first geographic area comprises an area assigned to the first vehicle for delivery or pickup of one or more items; and

the second geographic area comprises an area assigned to the second vehicle for delivery or pickup of one or more other items.