Route monetization

• US 8,793,066 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Panabaker, Ruston, Krumm, John C., Couckuyt, Jeffrey D., Tashev, Ivan J., Seltzer, Michael Lewis, Black, Neil W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/957,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20080091341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,419 Days
• Field of Search: 701/202, 701/209, 701/211, 701/410, 701/425, 705/37
• US Class Current: 701/410
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A user can be compensated for taking detours from a projected route. Commonly, the reason for the compensation is that the user will be subjected to advertising, the user will pass by an establishment she is likely to visit, or to ease traffic congestion. Analysis of an area takes place and monetization opportunities are determined based upon the results of the analysis. A route between at least about two locations can be altered such that the user is provided a reward, commonly in an optimized manner.

Claims

1. A system comprising a processor coupled to a computer-storage medium, the computer-storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer software components executable by the processor, the computer software components comprising:

an analysis component that identifies at least one reward capability of travel between at least two locations;

a production component that augments a direction set based on at least about one identification of the analysis component; and

an artificial intelligence component that makes an inference that a user would accept less of a reward to travel the augmented direction set due to an interest.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the production component augments the direction set for monetary optimization.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a disclosure component that divulges the direction set to a user.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a selection component, wherein the production component augments at least two direction sets, and wherein the selection component chooses an augmented route based upon the at least one identified reward capability.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the artificial intelligence component further makes at least one inference or at least one determination toward reward capability identification.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a comparison component that balances a reward capability against a non-reward factor, wherein the balance result is used by the production component to augment the direction set.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a calculation component that computes a monetary factor, wherein the monetary factor is used by the production component to augment the direction set.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a participation component that collects user input concerning the direction set, wherein the production component augments the direction set according to the user input.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an evaluation component that appraises route information, wherein identification of monetization capability is a function of route information appraisal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one reward capability is a monetization capability, the direction set augmentation subjects a user to an advertisement, the direction set augmentation subjects the user to an establishment the user is relatively likely to visit, the direction set augmentation is based upon a congestion pattern, the analysis component is implemented upon a vehicle, the production component is implemented upon a vehicle, or a combination thereof.

11. A system comprising a processor coupled to a computer-storage medium, the computer-storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer software components executable by the processor, the computer software components comprising:

a production component for producing at least two equivalent routes;

a selection component for selecting a route for presentment to a user, wherein selection is based at least in part upon reward opportunity of the route; and

an artificial intelligence component for inferring that a particular company is not a viable opportunity and, upon making such inference, ceasing consideration of the company to conserve system resources.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the selection component further operates an auction, wherein entities associate a reward with a route, and wherein selection is based upon a particular route having highest bidder.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the reward opportunity is a user taking a route, a user taking a stop at a location along the route, a monetization opportunity, or a combination thereof.

14. A computer storage media device storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method, the method comprising:

identifying at least one reward capability of travel between at least two locations;

augmenting a direction set based on at least about one identification of the analysis component; and

making an inference that a user would accept less of a reward to travel the augmented direction set due to an interest.