Method and apparatus for vehicle-based data gathering

• US 9,709,410 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Liu, Yimin, Schunder, Mark, MacNeille, Perry Robinson, Gusikhin, Oleg Yurievitch
• Primary Examiner(s): Pond, Rob
• Application Number:
  US13/405,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20130226731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,968 Days
• Field of Search: 705 26, 705 27
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services

Abstract

A computer implemented method includes accessing a list containing one or more items for purchase. The method further includes receiving a vehicle location. The method also includes searching for one or more stores within a predefined distance of the vehicle location, which sell at least one item from the list, and the prices those stores offer. Additionally, the method includes recommending a stop at at least one of the one or more stores, and providing directions to a store for which a stop was recommended.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

responsive to receipt of an occupant-defined shopping list, determining stores selling an item from the list that are also reachable by a trip conforming to an occupant-defined parameter;

upon finding a plurality of stores, each selling a list item, assembling a plurality of trips conforming to the parameter, using a vehicle computer;

determining an optimal trip of the plurality of trips, based on an occupant-defined prioritization weighting defining relative importance between different list items, such that the optimal trip includes the highest aggregate of weighted values of items obtainable by visiting stores on the optimal trip; and

recommending the optimal trip.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the trip parameter includes a maximum range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the trip parameter includes a maximum total distance traveled.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the trip parameter includes a maximum trip time.