Method and system for dynamic estimation and predictive route generation
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for dynamic route estimation and prediction using discrete sampled location updates from various mobile devices for the purpose of providing a graphical representation of a mobile device's route along a known network path of map data. The embodiments also provide supplemental route metrics, such as traveled distance, elapsed time, etc., and the capability to assign destination points for the purpose of providing the ability to modify location update points in an application, such as a route planner, and/or to store the dynamically generated route based on various preferences for later retrieval.
1. A method performed by a computing system, comprising:
receiving first data comprising real-time location updates from a plurality of mobile devices, each of the plurality of mobile devices corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of service providers and each of the plurality of location updates representing a location of a respective one of the plurality of service providers at a particular time;
calculating, for each of the plurality of service providers, an estimated route of travel using at least the first data and map data;
causing a display of a plurality of indicators on a graphical representation of a map, each of the plurality of indicators corresponding to the estimated route of travel calculated for a respective one of the plurality of service providers;
receiving second data representing a destination point;
designating a service provider from among the plurality of service providers; and
dispatching the designated service provider to the destination location.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a graphical user interface enabling a user of the computing system to modify the estimated route of travel calculated for each of the plurality of service providers.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a graphical user interface enabling a user of the computing system to modify the estimated route of travel calculated for each of the plurality of service providers by designating a route point for the estimated route of travel to at least one of a route stop, an origin, a via, and a stop.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the estimated route of travel calculated for each of the plurality of service providers.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the designating the service provider from among the plurality of service providers includes calculating estimated routes for each of the plurality of service providers from their respective current locations to the destination location and comparing characteristics of the estimated routes.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the designating the service provider from among the plurality of service providers includes:
determining which of the plurality of service providers meet a criterion; and
calculating estimated routes for each of the plurality of service providers that meet the criterion from their respective current locations to the destination location and comparing characteristics of the calculated estimated routes.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimated routes are calculated in real-time.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimated routes are dynamically created as the computing system receives the first data.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the designating the service provider from among the plurality of service providers is based on at least one of distances between the plurality of transportation providers and the destination location, estimated times of arrival of the plurality of transportation providers to the destination location, fuel usage information for the plurality of transportation providers, and capabilities of the plurality of transportation providers.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimated routes are further calculated using route preferences.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the route preferences are tailored to the mobile devices.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the route preferences include at least one of a driving speed, route optimization goal, and road preference.
13. A computing system comprising:
at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and
at least one processor configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions causing the computing system to perform:
receiving first data comprising real-time location updates from a plurality of mobile devices, each of the plurality of mobile devices corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of service providers and each of the plurality of location updates representing a location of a respective one of the plurality of service providers at a particular time;
calculating, for each of the plurality of service providers, an estimated route of travel using at least the first data and map data;
causing a display of a plurality of indicators on a graphical representation of a map, each of the plurality of indicators corresponding to the estimated route of travel calculated for a respective one of the plurality of service providers;
receiving second data representing a destination point;
designating a service provider from among the plurality of service providers; and
dispatching the designated service provider to the destination location.
14. The computing system claim 13 , wherein the computer executable instructions causing the computing system to further perform providing a graphical user interface enabling a user of the computing system to modify the estimated route of travel calculated for each of the plurality of service providers.
15. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the computer executable instructions causing the computing system to further perform providing a graphical user interface enabling a user of the computing system to modify the estimated route of travel calculated for each of the plurality of service providers by designating a route point for the estimated route of travel to at least one of a route stop, an origin, a via, and a stop.
16. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the computer executable instructions causing the computing system to further perform storing the estimated route of travel calculated for each of the plurality of service providers.
17. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the designating the service provider from among the plurality of service providers includes calculating estimated routes for each of the plurality of service providers from their respective current locations to the destination location and comparing characteristics of the estimated routes.
18. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the designating the service provider from among the plurality of service providers includes:
determining which of the plurality of service providers meet a criterion; and
calculating estimated routes for each of the plurality of service providers that meet the criterion from their respective current locations to the destination location and comparing characteristics of the calculated estimated routes.
19. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the estimated routes are calculated in real-time.
20. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the estimated routes are dynamically created as the computing system receives the first data.
21. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the designating the service provider from among the plurality of service providers is based on at least one of distances between the plurality of transportation providers and the destination location, estimated times of arrival of the plurality of transportation providers to the destination location, fuel usage information for the plurality of transportation providers, and capabilities of the plurality of transportation providers.
22. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein the estimated routes are further calculated using route preferences.
23. The computing system of claim 22 , wherein the route preferences are tailored to the mobile devices.
24. The computing system of claim 22 , wherein the route preferences include at least one of a driving speed, route optimization goal, and road preference.