Abstract:
A method and system for management and anticipatory deployment of autonomously controlled vehicles are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include calculating the geographic locations and periods of time where self-driving vehicles might experience the greatest probability of being requested to provide transportation services to passengers or cargo, and then communicating the resulting locations and times to self-driving vehicles, causing the vehicles to deploy themselves to those certain locations at those certain times, all prior to and in anticipation of specific requests being initiated by users or entities for such transport.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/929,776 filed on Jan. 21, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to logistical systems for managing the transportation of people and goods, and more specifically to a computer based system for the management of the deployment logistics of transportation resources for servicing human passengers and other cargo. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Autonomous vehicles that are capable of operation without human intervention are rapidly improving. As such vehicles are commercialized they will improve local transportation by providing greater functionality and allowing new methods and systems to be utilized for moving passengers and cargo. One such enabling-functionality is the ability of the vehicle to move from one location to another location while empty of any human. For transportation logistics this manifests itself as the attribute of being able to self-deploy, that is move from one user to the next user discontinuously and autonomously. This ability to self-deploy permits broad changes to occur in the methods and systems of local transportation. When self-deployable vehicles are commercialized, existing methods and systems of personal and commerce transportation will be utilized in new ways, and innovative new methods and systems of personal transportation and commerce will be developed. Multiple technologies ancillary to the self driving vehicle have been developed that are essential to the efficient operation of the transportation systems they may be used in, examples of which are shown in the following US patents and publications: communications (U.S. Pat. No. 7,064,681 U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,730 U.S. Pat. No. 7,482,952B2 US20110059693 US20130132887 US20140011521), tracking (U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,901 U.S. Pat. No. 7,538,691 US20140129135), mapping, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,838), and specifically for technologies involved in the distribution logistics for managing the deployment of vehicles such as routing drivers and positioning of passengers (U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,838; US20110059693; US20120239452A1; US20130132140; U520130204676; US20140011522A1). 
         [0004]    There is a need for improved systems and methods to enable greater utilization of self-driving vehicles. One method for optimizing system performance is through ride sharing, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,840,427. However there remains a need for systems and methods that improve the cost and efficiency of self-driving vehicles. The economic benefits of such systems and methods in addition to the benefits self-driving vehicles promise to offer in safety, productivity, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Various embodiments of a method and system for anticipatory deployment of autonomously controlled vehicles are disclosed. As used herein, the terms “autonomously controlled”, “self-driving”, “self-deploying” and variants thereof when used in describing a vehicle refer to a vehicle with capabilities as specified in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) definitions for vehicle automation, and specifically Level 4 of the NHTSA definitions, “Full Self-Driving Automation (Level 4): The vehicle is designed to perform all safety-critical driving functions and monitor roadway conditions for an entire trip. Such a design anticipates that the driver will provide destination or navigation input, but is not expected to be available for control at any time during the trip. This includes both occupied and unoccupied vehicles.”  U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Policy on Automated Vehicle Development, NHTSA  14-13, Thursday, May 30, 2013. Embodiments disclosed herein modify the foregoing definition by providing for the vehicle the destination or navigation input, which is determined in a manner as described herein. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment, calculating and then communicating data to a self-driving vehicle causing the vehicle to deploy itself to a certain location at a certain time, where the data has been calculated so that the vehicle might realize the greatest probability of being needed for providing transportation services to a passenger or cargo, all prior to and in anticipation of a specific request being initiated by any user or entity for such transport. 
         [0007]    A system is further contemplated that in one embodiment may include a first and a second computer system. The first computer system may be configured to identify destination geographical areas and times to which to pre-deploy autonomously controlled vehicles. The second computer system may be configured to communicate with the first computer system via a network, with the second computer managing the dynamic flow of autonomously controlled vehicles as they carry passengers. As passengers arrive at destinations and vehicles become free of passengers, the first computer system may convey complete specifications of optimum anticipatory deployment instructions to the second computer system. 
         [0008]    Additional aspects related to the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Aspects of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations of various elements and aspects particularly pointed out in the following detailed description and the appended claims. 
         [0009]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing and the following descriptions are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the claimed invention or application thereof in any manner whatsoever. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification exemplify the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain and illustrate principles of the inventive techniques. Specifically: 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1( a ) and 1( b )  illustrate one embodiment of an anticipatory deployment system for self-driving vehicles by means of a computer generated matrix of anticipatory vehicle demand values calculated by probability by a computer and using a city street map and a grid pattern of some designs. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a network of computers and communication devices that can be used to operate and execute an anticipatory deployment system. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3( a ), 3( b ) and 3( c )  illustrate how data on a user&#39;s trip can be stored within a three-dimensional matrix comprised of a specified area (square on the grid) at different specified times. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b )  illustrate creation of a three-dimensional matrix of segregated areas by segregated times. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5( a ), 5( b ), 5( c ) and 5( d )  illustrate operation of one embodiment of an anticipatory deployment system for self driving vehicles where available vehicles are anticipatorily deployed based on anticipated user requests 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6( a ), 6( b ), 6( c ) and 6( d )  illustrate various deployment scenarios of a self-deploying vehicle in an anticipatory deployment system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of multiple vehicles in an anticipatory deployment system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example user interface on a mobile device in an anticipatory deployment system. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9( a ) and 9( b )  illustrate a flow chart showing a process that is used when a user interacts in an anticipatory deployment system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing(s), in which identical functional elements are designated with like numerals. The aforementioned accompanying drawings show by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments and implementations consistent with principles of the present invention. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and that structural changes and/or substitutions of various elements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be construed in a limited sense. 
         [0021]    Computerized methods and systems are disclosed herein for delivering intelligently calculated logistical information to user(s) and owner(s) about where their self-deploying vehicle(s) should be anticipatorily deployed in order to better effectively serve the transportation needs of the user/owners. This is distinctly different from providing transportation services on demand to paying customers. Using heuristic logic in combination with other input data in order to determine the optimum anticipatory deployment of self-driving vehicles by their owners and fractional owners is a different and distinct technical approach than distributing for-hire taxis or limousines. Modeling location and time values to facilitate the positioning of vehicles most economically for anticipated future needs of owners, and, creating an on-line marketplace where owners choose among market generated transportation cost valuations is a novel technical approach that injects market pricing into the system, allowing for consumer choice amongst selected providers and thus driving system costs down. 
         [0022]    Current on-demand services, such as fleet management systems employed for taxi and limousine fleets, typically utilize onboard metering devices, radios, and cell phones to dispatch drivers and monitor fares. Some companies have recently been developing on-line management systems and system components for processing user requests for transportation services and providing those services for a fee, where the management of the system occurs on a remote computer or computers and where users interface on mobile devices. 
         [0023]    The technical methods and systems disclosed herein permit individuals and groups to plan and manage their use of self-deploying transportation services including: participating in an on-line auction for competitively pricing transportation services; utilizing transportation from individually-owned, shared-ownership, and fractionally-owned vehicles; joining multiple ownership groups as needed; collaborating on consumption behaviors with fellow user/owners to reduce costs; being immediately and tangibly financially rewarded for practicing behaviors that improve system performance; and participating in an online electronic commerce marketplace for accounting and payment. The result is a system that provides highly efficient and personalized transportation services that reduce cost by encouraging cost cutting behaviors, including financial rewards for cost cutting behaviors in the system, and by calculating anticipatory deployment data. 
         [0024]    By way of example, three families can each own one self-deploying vehicle, and share ownership of a fourth self-deploying vehicle. This fourth vehicle they share amongst them as an on-demand transportation resource. Ownership of the fourth vehicle is held jointly by the three families, and each utilizes the fourth vehicle under terms they control. As a result of this system, when traveling locally each member of each family has access to their own self-deploying car and the jointly-owned fourth vehicle, increasing the likelihood that a vehicle will be available as needed and likely decreasing the distance the self-deploying vehicle travels between passengers. The terms “own”, “owner” or “ownership” and other variants as used herein refer generally to any arrangement that permits usage of a vehicle, such as by holding title to the vehicle, or renting or leasing the vehicle. 
         [0025]    The management of this method of self-deployment of fleets of self-driving vehicles provides for new economic efficiency to be realized. Computer modeling of historical data of transportation use and behaviors, and a multitude of other input variables is used to anticipate the transportation needs within a geographical area, and assign numerical probabilities of anticipated use needs by geographic location and time. By modeling these use patterns, groups of self-deploying vehicles can be anticipatorily deployed in such a manner as to increase the likelihood of being pre-positioned in closest proximity to where and when a user will need transportation services, thus lowering the delivery costs of providing these transportation services. Additional input variables may be used in the modeling for anticipatory deployment, including data on traffic, weather, human events, and other data regarding any such input variable as the system designers may deem relevant. A computer system that models customer behaviors to best predict where and when a customer is most likely to need transportation allows owners to pre-position their vehicles accordingly, thus reducing the amount of time and distance a vehicle must travel in order to get to the next user and thereby reducing the cost of operating the group of vehicles. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 ( a - b ) illustrate one embodiment of a method and system for an anticipatory deployment system for self driving vehicles by means of a computer generated matrix of anticipatory vehicle demand values calculated by probability by a computer and using a city street map and a grid pattern of some designs. Using the method and system depicted in  FIGS. 1 ( a - b ), a variety of historical data on trips taken by any user, including but not limited to times, routes, frequency, priority of importance to user, and other relevant preferences or variables, can be entered into a computer database and used to calculate future demand probabilities by location and time frames for that user. Groupings comprising any number of users can be created in one database and the data used to calculate a net-sum of probabilities by zone for the group that a trip will be initiated by an individual within any given zone (time and location), and self-deploying vehicles can be anticipatorily deployed accordingly. Such an algorithm may incorporate the use of weighted values and estimated values for any number of variables including but not limited to frequency of prior travel, and may be designed to optimize the efficiency of the system including cost. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 ( a - b ) illustrate how probabilities that a vehicle might be requested for transportation will be calculated for sub-areas within a broader area so that a vehicle might be instructed to move closer in proximity to the area with the higher probability it will be needed so that vehicles are instructed to deploy to more efficiently serve anticipated needs. In the example of  FIG. 1( a )  area A represents an area where the calculated probability that someone will need transportation at 8:15pm is 44%. Area B represents an area where the calculated probability that someone will need transportation at 8:15pm is 12%. As seen in  FIG. 1( b ) , since the probability of a user needing a self-deploying is higher in area A, a vehicle is anticipatorily deployed closer to Point A than to Point B, improving system efficiencies and lowering system costs. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a network of computers and communication devices that can be used to operate and execute a method and system for the anticipatory deployment of vehicles. The network includes a systems computer  202  for calculating values, processing information, and issuing deployment instructions. The computer is illustrated generally and may take the form of a general-purpose computer or one with specially designed hardware. The computer  202  communicates securely and wirelessly with other system components via a wireless communication system shown generally at  204 . Users of the system may interact and enter and receive data via a variety of computing devices including laptops or tablets such as shown at  206  or mobile devices such as shown at  208 . The system also communicates with one or more self-deploying vehicles  210 . 
         [0029]    The methods and systems disclosed herein may include the creation of a matrix of values to enable the determination of the most efficient and cost effective locations and times for the deployment of self-deploying vehicles. The values represent the probability that a vehicle will be required at a particular place and time. The values may also represent economic efficiency of the system to reduce vehicle usage and/or cost to a particular user or to the system. The values may also represent vehicle capabilities and services, for example the values may indicate a preference or need for a limousine or a vehicle of a particular size or that has installed particular amenities such as a computer and screen, or a bar. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 ( a - c ) depict how a matrix of values is created by first dividing a physical area into sections, represented by the grids shown in  FIGS. 3 ( a -c).  FIG. 3( b )  illustrates how an individual trip might be recorded as data within the sections and  FIG. 3( c )  illustrates how that data might be represented in a three-dimensional matrix when data on a trip is segregated by location and time, with data on any trip being recorded in multiple sections each representing a distinct time and location. As seen in  FIG. 3( a ) , a pattern of area sectioning is created to overlay any physical area where any transportation routes are used. The physical area is divided into sections that are arranged in any manner and of any size. As seen in  FIG. 3( b )  data on individual trips through the physical area can be digitally stored as data within each section, including such data as time, travel direction, route, start and stop points, and other relevant information. A three-dimensional matrix of data contained within sections is created as shown in  FIG. 3( c )  by creating a new set of sections at regular time increments, so that a trip made by an individual through the physical space is digitally recorded in segments identifiable in both time and location. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4 ( a - b ) illustrate creation of a three dimensional matrix of segregated areas by segregated times. As seen in  FIGS. 4 ( a - b ) a set of segregated areas and a set of segregated times can be constructed into a three-dimensional matrix of area and time, where each segmented area can be assigned a unique coordinate, as illustrated area “A” can be represented at three separate times as coordinates A1, A2, and A3. 
         [0032]    The method and system depicted in  FIGS. 3 ( a - c ) allows a vehicle to be digitally mapped for travel while occupied, and, mapped for the times and locations where it is available for use.  FIG. 5( a )  is an illustration, employing the three dimensional matrix of area and time explained in connection with  FIGS. 4 ( a - b ). The illustration shown in  FIG. 5( a )  represents a 24-hour period where the dotted lines  502 ,  503  represent when and where a vehicle is traveling while occupied, and the ellipses  504 ,  505 ,  506  represent the times and locations when the vehicle is unoccupied and available for use. The three-dimensional ellipse shapes are representative of the area in which a vehicle is available, starting in one location and time (left side of the ellipse), and then expanding outward over a wider area as time progresses, and then contracting in area again as the time approaches the next location and time where the vehicle is scheduled to provide transportation (right edge of the ellipse). For example, the vehicle in the routes shown in  FIG. 5( a )  is available over an area that is fairly proximate to the end point of route  502  immediately following termination of route  502 . As time passes, the vehicle is able to be available in a progressively larger area until the mid-point in time between the termination of route  502  and the initiation of route  503 , at which point the area in which the vehicle is available gradually shrinks so that the vehicle is available at the initiation of route  503  at the designated starting point. 
         [0033]    Using the same method of creating a matrix as depicted in  FIGS. 3 ( a - c ), as illustrated in  FIG. 5( b ) , a user request for transportation services can be depicted as a starting point  507 , an ending point  508 , a route (dotted squiggly line  509 ), and a specific travel time (solid box  510 ) or a selected time window (dashed box  511 ) to travel. 
         [0034]    Performed by computer, any specific user travel request may be matched with any vehicle that is available, as illustrated by  FIG. 5( c )  showing a match. After a match has been made and the vehicle committed to the travel request, the system may calculate new values for the vehicle&#39;s availability as illustrated in  FIG. 5( d ) , and these new values used to calculate new values for the anticipatory deployment of any other vehicles in the system. The system is dynamic so that when any user initiates the occupancy of a vehicle for a trip it may re-position other vehicles in the system. This could occur, for example, when a user (who belongs to owner group A and owner group B) secures a ride with a vehicle from group A. Since the probability of that user needing the same ride from group B would immediately drop to zero, and since the system knows this, the probability value for that user can be changed to zero in the matrix at group B, which might result in a group B vehicle moving to a better deployment location. 
         [0035]    Using the system depicted in  FIG. 3 , historical data on user travel can be entered to construct a matrix of past travel data that can be used to calculate the probability of future service requests, as depicted visually in  FIG. 6( a ) , where the lines  602 ,  603 ,  604  represent data entered on past travel and the values represent the probability that the trip will be requested based upon past frequency and other variables. As seen in  FIG. 6( a ) , the probability of trip  602  being requested is 28%, the probability of trip  603  being requested is 84% and the probability of trip  604  being requested is 57%. 
         [0036]    For any individual vehicle, when the vehicle reaches its end point of an occupied trip, the matrix of the probability of anticipated service requests as digitally constructed and as illustrated in  FIG. 6( b )  is used to instruct a self-deploying vehicle to deploy to a more system efficient location represented visually as the star.  FIG. 6( b )  depicts a self-deploying vehicle with an occupant where the systems computer  202  has calculated that the vehicle should relocate from end-point  605  of the trip  606  to a different location at a particular time, shown at  607 , in order to place the vehicle in a more efficient location and time to potentially serve requests the system anticipates for trips  602 ,  603  and  604 . A self-deploying vehicle may be instructed to be anticipatorily deployed by the system from location  605  to location  607  to be located more proximately in time and location to trips  602 ,  603  and  604  that may be requested by a user of the system. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6( c )  illustrates a self-deploying vehicle being deployed in one location, and then deployed to different position when a change in a data variable causes a change in the value of the potentiality of anticipated user requests. Autonomously driven vehicles can be provided with anticipatory deployment instructions so as to arrive within proximity to any zone based upon calculations that include any number of variables (as may be defined by the system designers, programmers, and users of any system, or, in response to a user request, or, user or group profile and settings, or, any other variable). In the illustration seen in  FIG. 6( c )  a self-deploying vehicle is visualized being deployed in one location, and then deployed to different position when a change in a data variable causes a change in the value of the potentiality of anticipated user requests. Such anticipatory deployment adjustments might be caused by any variation in the data used to calculate a current deployment, including but not limited to:
       a. The value of transportation services based upon the fractional cost of ownership and the direct variable costs for each rider on every trip.   b. User&#39;s preferences, individually or collectively, the preferences to include the type and kind of transportation, the level of social interaction and privacy.   c. Current and anticipated human and natural events to predict demand for services, including weather events, sporting events, normal commuting, and any other event that may affect demand.   d. Routing data obtained from user defined routing data generated through a user interface on a digital media including user defined routing data created to facilitate route preferences, ride sharing, flexible scheduling, and other user services.       
 
         [0042]      FIG. 6( d )  illustrates anticipatory deployment being changed when the optimum distribution of autonomously driven vehicles is determined by factoring in pricing data and analyzing one or more business variables comprises determining a cost, where the dashed lines with associated probability values represent anticipated trips that had negative value changes in their variables. 
         [0043]    In the illustration seen in  FIG. 6( d )  the anticipatory deployment is visualized being changed when the optimum distribution of autonomously driven vehicles is determined by factoring in pricing data and analyzing one or more business variables comprises determining a cost, and where two values have been recalculated to zero reflecting negative changes in their variables. 
         [0044]    A computerized system servicing any number of users and managing any number of autonomously driven vehicles can match users to vehicles using any of a multitude of selection criteria as defined by the system designers, users, and vehicle owners, including but not limited to; departure and arrival times, routes, type of vehicle, ride sharing, and any other criteria.  FIG. 7  illustrates an example comprising multiple users and multiple vehicles. In this illustration, the routes of three vehicles are shown over a 24 hour period, with ten routes, portions of which are shown at  702 ,  703 ,  704  where the vehicles are providing transportation (represented by the dashed lines such as  702 ,  703 ,  704 ), and nine periods and locations where the vehicles are stationary and are available to other users (represented by the elliptical shapes). 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  illustrates the system response that may be generated to a user after the user has submitted a request for transportation services to the system. The system has calculated best matches to fulfill the user request using vehicles available based upon the groups the user is an owner/member of. The matches reflect the availability of vehicles that match the time, route, personal preferences, and other search criteria, and the user is presented with a cost and service selection for the trip. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9 ( a - b ) illustrate operation of the anticipatory deployment system in response to certain user commands. In the flowchart shown in  FIGS. 9 ( a - b ), users may interface with other users on other electronic devices to collaborate on their shared use of vehicles in any manner where the collaboration can include ride sharing, schedule adjusting, route adjusting, and any other method of modifying a travel event as a means to facilitate the more efficient and cost effective anticipatory deployment of autonomously controlled vehicles. 
         [0047]    The method and system as described by the flow chart seen in  FIGS. 9 ( a - b ) provides optimum distribution of autonomously driven vehicles, determined by factoring in pricing data obtained through any manner of on-line, live, electronic marketplace, where the bidding for services occurs between buyers and sellers. This includes any manner of matching buy and sell offers for services, and, factoring in pricing to include using real time pricing data generated from an electronic marketplace, to adjust the distribution of the vehicles in any manner, including to effect financial results. 
         [0048]    At step  902 , a user enters a transportation request to the system, for example, pick-up or drop-off at a specified location, within a specified time window. “One-time preferences” are any trip specific requests or variations from user profiles that the user requests for a trip. Example: most commonly you would assume people would like to shut off the “will share a ride” preference on a trip for some personal reason. This way they won&#39;t be bothered by “will you share your ride” requests for that trip. The system retrieves at step  904 , information pertaining to the user such as a user profile, a preference profile and the ownership groups that the user belongs to. Examples of User Profile variables include: (1) will you share your ride?; (2) who in your groups will you share with and who will you exclude?; (3) what kind of transportation are you looking to use; comfort, amenities, price?; (4) what are your favorite routes?. 
         [0049]    The system then, step  906 , determines the optimum route and a plurality of alternate routes. Optimum route means the best match for all of the variables (but especially price &amp;, ride sharing), and, alternate choices based upon one variable being weighed more heavily. Example: choice A means leaving on time but paying $10 vs. alternate choice B means waiting 15 minutes but only paying $5. At step  908 , the system checks for ride sharing matches. The optimum and alternate routes determined for one user are compared to optimum and alternate routes determined for other users to identify overlaps, taking into account preferences for times and locations, and other variables specified by the users in question to calculate the routes and times that best match the user specified needs within the system constraints. System constraints include the number and size of the vehicles available in the groups of which the users of interest are members. At step  910 , the system checks for vehicles available to service the requests in question and generates routes, which include start and end locations and path between the start and end locations, and times along with price, the price being the currency amount the program calculates as being attributed to a certain transportation option, which might be calculated to include direct and indirect costs and costs attributable to user preferences such as, ride-sharing vs. riding alone, amenities in the vehicle such as entertainment features, the time the trip is initiated, the type of vehicle, user requested variations to the route, and other costs the designers and operators of the system might choose to include. The system at step  912  provides to the user the transportation options that are available. The user at step  914  selects whether they are willing to share a ride. The system at  916  determines the user&#39;s response and at  918  responds by identifying and dispatching a vehicle for routing to the user if the user selects a non-occupied vehicle and then returns to step  908 . If the user wishes to share a vehicle on the route in question with any other users, the system at step  920  communicates the ride share request to the occupant(s) in the vehicle along with an offer of a price adjustment. If the offer is accepted by the occupant(s) the system at  922  routes the vehicle to pick up the user. Finally, at step  924  the system generates a financial accounting based upon the cost variables the system designers and operators have selected. 
         [0050]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.