JP2015532752A - Transportation using geolocation - Google Patents

Abstract

The system includes a delivery application that executes on the processor of the delivery device. The application communicates a message indicating a problem associated with identifying the user's destination location. The system further includes a user application executing on the processor of the user device. The user application communicates a message confirming that the user device is located at the destination and communicates the geographic coordinates of the destination. The system further comprises a merchant server communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device and the processor of the user device. The merchant server communicates with the user application to receive the geographic coordinates of the destination. The merchant server further communicates the geographic coordinates of the destination to the delivery application.

Description

  This application relates generally to transportation using geolocation information.

  When the courier company has difficulty locating the destination, the package remains undelivered. Undelivered packages are returned to the sender, who often bears the cost of any subsequent delivery attempt. In addition, merchants are often asked to send packages to addresses that are difficult to locate. However, the merchant does not know that the address is difficult to locate before receiving the returned package.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a delivery application executing on the processor of the delivery device, a user application executing on the processor of the user device, and a processor of the delivery device and the processor of the user device are communicatively coupled. And the delivery application is operable to communicate a message indicating a problem associated with the location determination of the user's destination, the user application confirming that the user device is located at the destination. Is operable to communicate a confirmation message and communicate the geographic coordinates of the destination, and the merchant server communicates with the user application to receive the geographic coordinates of the destination and delivers the geographic coordinates of the destination Operable to communicate to the application System is disclosed.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a memory includes a memory operable to store contact information of a user device and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor being a destination associated with the user device. A first message indicating a problem associated with location determination is received, a request for geographic coordinates of the destination location is communicated to the user device according to the stored contact information, and the user device is located in proximity to the destination location An apparatus is disclosed that is operable to confirm, receive the geographic coordinates of the destination, and communicate a second message that includes the geographic coordinates of the destination to the transport vehicle device.

  In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a memory includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the memory storing a first address and storing geographic coordinates associated with the first address. Operable to store, the processor receives a second address not stored in the memory and determines the geographic coordinates of the second address based at least in part on the geographic coordinates associated with the first address. An apparatus is disclosed that is operable to approximate.

  According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for approximately determining a geographic coordinate of a location, receiving a request for geographic coordinates associated with the first location, the first location Approximately determining the geographic coordinates associated with the first location based at least in part on the geographic coordinates associated with the second location within a defined distance of, and approximately determined upon request A method is disclosed that includes communicating geographic coordinates.

  For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the delivery person who is going to specify the place of a destination place. It is a figure which shows the system for determining the geographical coordinate of a destination. FIG. 3 shows the server of FIG. 2 associated with a table used to determine approximate geographic coordinates of an address. FIG. 3 illustrates the system of FIG. 2 for determining geographic coordinates based on a previous problem of destination location. It is a flowchart which shows the method of determining the geographical coordinate of a destination. It is a flowchart which shows the method of determining the approximate geographical coordinate of an address. FIG. 2 illustrates an example computer system 700 that may be used for one or more portions of the example system 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

  The present disclosure describes a system for collecting and transmitting geographic coordinates. These geographic coordinates can be used by the courier and the delivery company to assist in locating the address where the delivery takes place. When the delivery person has a problem with locating the address, the delivery person can send the address to the system. The system can then verify whether the delivery recipient is at that address. If at that address, the recipient can use a device such as a cell phone to send the geographic coordinates of the address to the system. The system can then send the geographic coordinates to the delivery person to help the delivery person locate the address.

  The recipient of the delivery may not be at that address. In such cases, the system may approximately determine the geographic coordinates of the address based on the stored geographic coordinates of the nearby location. The system may examine the stored location and determine which location is near the address. The system can then use the geographic coordinates of such nearby locations to approximately determine the geographic coordinates of the address. The system can then communicate approximate geographic coordinates to the delivery person to help the delivery person locate the address.

  FIG. 1 shows a transport vehicle 116 attempting to locate a destination 118. The transport vehicle 116 may wish to deliver the package to the destination 118. For example, the transport vehicle 116 may be a delivery person who is about to deliver a package ordered by a user at the destination 118 from a seller on the Internet. As another example, the transport vehicle 116 may be a supplier who is trying to deliver a shipment to a store. In other examples, transport vehicle 116 may be a luggage, material, message, mail, or any other type of object to or from taxi drivers who carry people to and from destination 118, destination 118, or the like. Can be a courier company that picks up or delivers. It should be understood that the transport vehicle 116 may use trucks, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, or any other suitable transport means to perform its function.

  The location of the destination 118 can be difficult for the transport vehicle 116. For example, destination 118 may be in a rural area where it may be difficult to find a specific address. As another example, transport vehicle 116 may be provided with an incomplete or incorrect address for destination 118. Destination 118 may be an apartment, but the apartment number may be missing from the address, or a portion of the address may simply be incorrect. If transport vehicle 116 cannot determine the location of destination 118, transport vehicle 116 may have no choice but to return the package to the sender. Typically, the sender then bears any re-delivery costs to the destination 118.

  To assist the transportation vehicle 116 in identifying the location of the destination 118, the system may provide the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 to the transportation vehicle 116. Geographic coordinates 210 may include the longitude, latitude, and / or altitude of destination 118, the global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates of destination 118, or any other information that provides the geographic coordinates of destination 118. In some cases, the geographic coordinates 210 may include a geographic location of a wireless network (eg, Wi-Fi network, wireless router, mobile hotspot, mobile phone tower, etc.) associated with the destination 118. In other cases, the geographic coordinates 210 may include the geographic location of any location-aware device associated with the delivery site 118. By using such geographic coordinates 210, the transport vehicle 116 identifies the location of the destination 118 even if the destination 118 address provided to the transport vehicle 116 is inaccurate or incomplete. obtain.

  A user located at the destination 118 may provide the geographic coordinates of the destination 118 to the transport 116 when the transport 116 has a location problem with the destination 118. The transport vehicle 116 may indicate to the system that the transport vehicle 116 has a location specific problem with the destination 118. The system may then contact the user associated with the destination 118 to see if the user is located at the destination 118. If the user is located at the destination 118, the system may request the user's geographic coordinates. A user may provide geographic coordinates by using a device such as a cell phone or laptop. For example, an application on the user's mobile phone may serve to provide the user and / or mobile phone's geographic coordinates to the system. The system may then provide geographic coordinates to transport vehicle 116 so that transport vehicle 116 can determine the location of destination 118.

  FIG. 2 shows a system 200 for determining the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118. As provided by FIG. 2, the system 200 may include a destination 118, a transport vehicle 116, a network 120, and a server 110. Destination 118 may be associated with user 112 and device 114. Device 114 and transport vehicle 116 may communicate with server 110 through network 120.

  In general, the server 110 may receive a message 230 from the transport vehicle 116 indicating a location specific problem at the destination 118. Server 110 may then request and receive geographic coordinates 210 for destination 118 from user 112 and / or device 114. The server 110 may then provide such geographic coordinates 210 to the transport vehicle 116 to assist the transport vehicle 116 in locating the destination 118.

  System 200 may include a transport vehicle 116. The transport vehicle 116 delivers a person or thing to the destination 118 for any reason, picks up a person or thing from the destination 118, or otherwise travels to the destination 118, a courier, distributor, taxi driver It can be a hand, a collection service, or any other suitable entity. In certain embodiments, transport vehicle 116 may have location specific issues for destination 118. For example, destination 118 may be in a rural area where it may be difficult to find a specific address. As another example, transport vehicle 116 may be provided with an incomplete or incorrect address for destination 118. Destination 118 may be an apartment, but the apartment number may be missing from the address, or part of the address may be incorrect. If transport vehicle 116 cannot determine the location of destination 118, transport vehicle 116 may have no choice but to return the package to the sender. Typically, the sender then bears any re-delivery costs to the destination 118. In order to avoid returning deliveries to the sender, the transport vehicle 116 may use the system 200 to assist in locating the destination 118.

  For example, transport vehicle 116 may be associated with a cell phone, laptop, global positioning system device, or any other suitable electronic device that can electronically communicate with server 110. Depending on the context, an electronic device may be referred to as a transport vehicle device, a delivery device, a courier device, etc. The electronic device may include a processor that operates a transport vehicle application 150 for use in the system 200. Depending on the context, transport application 150 may be referred to as a delivery application, a courier application, etc. The transport vehicle 116 may use this transport vehicle application 150 running on the electronic device to communicate a message 230 to the server 110 indicating that the transport vehicle 116 has a location specific problem at the destination 118. . The message 230 may be used by the server 110 to determine how to direct the transport vehicle 116 to the destination 118, the address of the destination 118, the order number associated with the delivery, the name of the user 112, the transport vehicle. Information regarding delivery, such as 116 locations, and any other information may be included. The server 110 may send the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 back to the transportation vehicle application 150 operating on the transportation vehicle 116 electronic device or another device. The transport vehicle 116 then uses the geographic coordinates 210 to locate and deliver to the destination 118, but in certain embodiments, the server 110 also tracks to reach the destination 118. The route may also be transmitted to the transport vehicle 116 or the electronic device of the transport vehicle 116 may be configured to determine the route based on the geographic coordinates 210 transmitted by the server 110. Transportation vehicle 116 may track this route to reach destination 118.

  System 200 may include a destination 118 associated with user 112 and device 114. Destination 118 can be a residence, apartment, store, or any other suitable location where delivery can be received.

  Device 114 may be associated with user 112. For example, user 112 may own device 114 or may own device 114. In certain embodiments, device 114 may receive request 245 from server 110 to determine whether user 112 and / or device 114 is located at destination 118. The device 114 may receive this request 245 because the transport vehicle 116 indicates to the server 110 that the transport vehicle 116 has a location problem with the destination 118. Device 114 may send a message 240 to server 110 confirming that user 112 and device 114 are at their destination. User 112 may begin sending message 240 by using device 114 to respond to server 110 request. In certain embodiments, device 114 may receive a request 245 for geographic coordinates 210 of destination 118 from server 110. In response to request 245, device 114 communicates geographic coordinates 210 to server 110. In certain embodiments, the request 245 to confirm whether the user 112 and / or the device 114 is located at the delivery location 118 and the request 245 for the geographic coordinates 210 may be the same request 245. In other embodiments, request 245 may be two separate requests 245. In certain embodiments, user application 190 executing on device 114 may serve to collect geographic coordinates 210 and communicate to server 110. Since user 112 and / or device 114 has already confirmed that user 112 and device 114 are located at destination 118, the geographic coordinates of device 114 indicate that transport vehicle 116 identifies the location of destination 118. To assist.

  By way of example and not limitation, user 112 may have ordered a product from an internet merchant. User 112 may instruct the merchant to deliver the product to destination 118. The merchant may use the transport vehicle 116 to send a package containing the product to the destination 118. During delivery, transport vehicle 116 may have difficulty locating destination 118. Rather than returning the package to the merchant, the transport vehicle 116 may notify the server 110 that the transport vehicle has a problem locating the destination 118. In response, server 110 may ask user 112 whether the user is at destination 118. User 112 may confirm that the user is at destination 118 and server 110 may then request the geographic coordinates of user 112 's current location. The user 112 may then use the device 114 to provide the geographic coordinates of the destination 118 to the server 110.

  Device 114 may be a personal computer, workstation, laptop, wireless or mobile phone, electronic notebook, capable of receiving, processing, storing, and / or communicating with other components of system 100. It may be a personal digital assistant, a tablet, or any other (wireless, wired, or other) device. The device 114 may also include a user interface, such as a display, touch screen, microphone, keypad, or other suitable terminal device that can be used by the user 112. Device 114 may include a global positioning system receiver that device 114 may use to determine or receive geographic coordinates 210 of device 114. In certain embodiments, device 114 may send geographic coordinates 210 to server 110.

  System 200 includes a network 120. In certain embodiments, network 120 may facilitate communication between transport vehicle 116, device 114, server 110, and any other suitable element of system 200. For example, messages 230 and 240, request 245, and geographic coordinates 210 may be communicated between components of system 200 using network 120. The present disclosure contemplates any suitable network 120 operable to facilitate communication between components of the system 100. Network 120 may include any interconnect system capable of transmitting voice, video, signals, data, messages, or any combination thereof. The network 120 is a public switched telephone network (PSTN), public or private data network, local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, wired or wireless network, corporate intranet, etc. May include all or part of any other suitable communication link, including local, regional, or global communications or computer networks, or combinations thereof operable to facilitate communication between components .

  System 200 includes a server 110. In certain embodiments, server 110 may be associated with a product or service provider such as a merchant. The merchant may have initiated the delivery process after the user 112 has purchased from the merchant. The merchant may use the server 110 for additional order processing functions. For example, a merchant may use the server 110 to track and maintain orders. Further, the merchant may use the server 110 to help the transport vehicle 116 locate the destination 118.

  The server 110 includes a processor 132 and a memory 134. The functions described herein may be performed by processor 132 and / or memory 134. In certain embodiments, the memory 134 may store information associated with the system 200. For example, the memory 134 may store contact information for the user 112 in the table 250. Contact information may include an email address, telephone number, or any other suitable information used to contact the user 112. As another example, the memory 134 stores location information, such as addresses and geographic coordinates of such addresses, in the table 220. The memory 134 may further store previous issues regarding the location of a particular address in the table 220. As an example, the memory 134 may store the address and geographic coordinates of the destination 118 in the table 220. Memory 134 may also store in table 220 whether there have been any location specific issues of destination 118. This disclosure contemplates tables 220 and 250 disposed in any suitable manner within memory 134.

  Memory 134 may store processor 132 data, operational software, or other information permanently or temporarily. Memory 134 may include any one or combination of volatile or non-volatile local or remote devices suitable for storing information. For example, the memory 134 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic storage device, optical storage device, or any other suitable information storage device, or a combination of such devices. obtain. The memory 134 is shown as part of the server 110, but is in any suitable form including, but not limited to, a centralized configuration at the server 110 or a distributed form among multiple devices in the system 200. Can be configured.

  The processor 132 may be communicatively coupled to the memory 134. In certain embodiments, the processor 132 may send a request 245 to the device 114 to confirm that the user 112 and the device 114 are located at the destination 118. If user 112 and / or device 114 is at delivery location 118, processor 132 may use geographic coordinates 210 of device 114 as geographic coordinates 210 of destination location 118. The processor 132 may send a request 245 for geographic coordinates 210. The user 112 may then send the geographic coordinates 210 to the server 110 in response to the request 245 by using the device 114. The processor 132 may receive such geographic coordinates 210 from the device 114.

  The processor 132 may also receive messages 230 and 240 from elements of the system 200. For example, the processor 132 may receive a message 240 from the device 114 indicating whether the user 112 and / or the device 114 is located at the destination 118. After receiving message 240, processor 132 may determine that user 112 and / or device 114 are at the destination. As another example, the processor 132 may receive a message 230 from the transport vehicle 116 indicating a problem associated with the location identification of the destination 118. After receiving the message 230, the processor 132 obtains the geographic coordinates 210 from the user 112 and sends them to the transport vehicle 116.

  The processor 132 may control the operation and management of the server 110 by processing information received from the network 120 and the memory 134. The processor 132 may include any hardware and / or software that operates to control and process information. The processor 132 may be a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processing device, or any suitable combination thereof.

  During operation, the system 200 may assist the transport vehicle 116 in identifying the destination 118 location. The transport vehicle 116 may deliver the package to the destination 118. The location of the destination 118 can be difficult for the transport vehicle 116. The transport vehicle 116 may communicate a message 230 to the server 110 indicating that the transport vehicle 116 has difficulty locating the destination 118. The message 230 may include the address of the destination 118, the order number associated with the delivery, the name of the user 112, and any other that the server 110 may use to determine the destination 118 that the transport vehicle 116 is trying to locate. Preferred information. To assist the transport vehicle 116 in identifying the location of the destination 118, the server 110 may perform a process that ultimately results in transmission of the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 to the transport vehicle 116.

  After receiving message 230, server 110 may determine whether geographic coordinates 210 for destination 118 are stored in memory 134. In certain embodiments, the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 may be stored in the table 220. If the server 110 determines that the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 are already stored in the table 220, the server 110 may retrieve the geographic coordinates 210 and send the geographic coordinates to the transport vehicle 116. In certain embodiments, the server 110 may generate a message that includes the geographic coordinates 210 and send it to the transport vehicle 116. The message may also include directions or routes that the transport vehicle 116 can track to determine the location of the destination 118. The message may further indicate to the transport vehicle 116 whether the user 112 or another person is at the destination 118 to receive the delivery. In certain embodiments, a device associated with transport vehicle 116 may use the message to determine a route that transport vehicle 116 can track to determine the location of destination 118.

If server 110 determines that geographic coordinates 210 for destination 118 are not stored in table 220, server 110 may attempt to retrieve geographic coordinates 210 for destination 118 from user 112 and / or device 114. Server 110 may initially contact user 112 to see if user 112 is at destination 118. In certain embodiments, the server 110 may contact the user 112 using the user 112 contact information stored in the table 250. For example, the server 110 may send an email to the user 112 using an email address associated with the user 112. As another example, server 110 may send a voicemail or text message to user 112 using a telephone number associated with user 112. The message may inform the user 112 that delivery from the merchant is in the process, but the transport vehicle 116 has difficulty locating the destination 118. The message may also inform user 112 of the order number or product description associated with the delivery. The message may ask user 112 to provide geographic coordinates 210 using device 114 when user 112 is at destination 118. In this way, user 112 may be prompted to provide geographic coordinates 210 to server 110. Although this disclosure describes a server 110 that sends a particular type of message to user 112, this disclosure contemplates server 110 sending any suitable type of message to user 112.

  In certain embodiments, the message that server 110 sends to user 112 may request user 112 to verify whether user 112 is located at destination 118. For example, the server 110 may send an email that the user 112 may respond with an indication of whether the user 112 is at the destination 118. As another example, the server 110 may send a text message to the user 112 that the user 112 can respond with an indication of whether the user 112 is at the destination 118. If device 114 is located at destination 118, the geographical coordinates of device 114 may be used as the geographical coordinates of destination 118. In certain embodiments, the server 110 may receive a message 240 indicating whether the user 112 is located at the destination 118. In some embodiments, the user 112 may know the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 and may enter the geographic coordinates 210 into the device 114. In this way, the user 112 may provide the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 to the server 110 even when the user 112 and / or the device 114 is not located at the destination 118.

  If the server 110 determines that the user 112 is not at the destination 118, the server 110 may indicate to the transport vehicle 116 that the geographic coordinates 210 associated with the destination 118 are not available. For example, the server 110 may send a message or notification to the transport vehicle 116 indicating that the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 are not available. In certain embodiments, the server 110 may approximately determine the geographic coordinates 210 and send the geographic coordinates to the transport vehicle 116. The process by which server 110 determines approximate geographic coordinates is discussed with respect to FIG.

  If server 110 determines that user 112 is located at destination 118, server 110 may request user 112 to provide geographic coordinates 210. Upon request, user 112 may use device 114 to provide geographic coordinates 210 to server 110. For example, the server 110 may send a warning or notification to the device 114. When device 114 receives a warning or notification, device 114 may present the warning or notification on the display. In addition, the device 114 may vibrate or generate a sound to make the user 112 aware that the device 114 has received a warning or notification. The warning or notification may inform the user 112 that delivery from the merchant is in the process of being difficult to locate the destination 118 for the transport vehicle 116. The warning or notification informs the user 112 to provide the geographic coordinates 210 using the device 114 to assist the transport vehicle 116 in determining the destination location when the user 112 is at the destination 118. obtain.

  If the user 112 indicates that he wishes to respond to a warning or notification, the device 114 may execute an application 190 that collects the geographic coordinates 210 of the device 114 and sends it to the server 110. Application 190 may collect geographic coordinates 210 using the global positioning system features of device 114. For example, application 190 may obtain the geographic coordinates of device 114 using the global positioning system receiver of device 114. Application 190 may also allow user 112 to enter geographic coordinates 210 for destination 118. For example, the application 190 may provide a field where the user 112 can enter geographic coordinates. By allowing the user 112 to enter the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118, the application allows the user 112 to enter the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 even if the user 112 is not located at the destination 118. Makes it possible to provide.

  In certain embodiments, user 112 may provide geographic coordinates 210 to server 110 through a website or application running on device 114. For example, the server 110 may send an email, text message, or any other suitable type of message to the user 112 that includes a link to a website. Alternatively, the server 110 may push the message to the user 112 through an application running on the user's device 114. The message may inform the user 112 that the delivery is in progress and the transport vehicle 116 needs the geographic coordinates of the destination 118 to deliver. The message may additionally provide details regarding delivery, including order number and product description. The message may further inform the user 112 that the geographic coordinates 210 may be provided by opening a link on the device 114 or by performing an appropriate process using an application on the device 114. User 112 may respond to the message by opening a link on device 114 or by performing an application process on device 114. The link may be to a website that includes an application or provides an interface through which the device 114 may send the geographical coordinates 210 of the device 114 to the server 110. For example, by opening a link, the device 114 may open a website that triggers an application 190 on the device 114 to retrieve the geographic coordinates 210 of the device 114 and send it to the server 110. Or, an application running on the device 114 may present an interface through which the device 114 may send the geographical coordinates 210 of the device 114 to the server 110. Since the user 112 has already confirmed that the user 112 and / or the device 114 is located at the destination 118, the geographic coordinates 210 can be used to help identify the location of the destination 118.

  In a related embodiment, the user 112 may forward the message to another person's device so that the other person can use any of the techniques described above (eg, a link to a website or on the device). The geographic coordinates 210 may be sent to the server 110 on behalf of the user 112 using a running application. This embodiment may be useful when the user 112 is not currently at the destination 118 where the geographic coordinates are required, but another person is located at the destination 118. For example, the user 112 may be at work when the user 112 receives the message and sends the geographic coordinates of the user's home where the delivery will be made. However, the user's spouse may be at home. Thus, the user 112 can forward the message to the spouse and have the spouse send the geographic coordinates 210 of the user's home to the server 110. In yet another embodiment, the user 112 may forward a message from one device 114 to the other device 114 to send the geographic coordinates 210 to the server 110. For example, user 112 may receive a message on a laptop that does not have GPS capability and then forward the message to a cell phone that has GPS capability. User 112 may then send geographic coordinates 210 to server 110 using a mobile phone.

  After the server 110 receives the geographic coordinates 210 of the device 114, the server 110 may communicate the geographic coordinates 210 to the transport vehicle 116. In certain embodiments, the server 110 may generate a message that includes the geographic coordinates 210 and send it to a device associated with the transport vehicle 116. The message may be a text message, an email message, a page, or any other suitable type of message that the transport vehicle 116 device may receive. The message may inform the transport vehicle 116 of the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118. In certain embodiments, the message may also inform the transport vehicle 116 of the route to track to identify the location of the destination 118. The transport vehicle 116 may further use the geographic coordinates 210 to identify the location of the destination 118 by inputting the geographic coordinates 210 into the global positioning system device, which is located in the transport vehicle 116. Can plan a path to track to reach destination 118. The process performed by the server 110 described above is further discussed with respect to FIG.

  In addition to collecting and sending the geographic coordinates 210 to the transport vehicle 116, the server 110 may perform additional functions regarding the geographic coordinates 210. For example, server 110 may store geographic coordinates 210 for a particular address in memory 134 such as table 220. Such geographic coordinates 210 may have been received from the user 112, as described above. In addition, such geographic coordinates may have been received from transport vehicle 116 upon successful transport to a particular address. For example, upon successful transport to a particular address, the transport vehicle 116 may capture the geographic coordinates of that address, communicate the geographic coordinates to the server 110, and store them in the table 220 of the memory 134. Thus, stored geo-coordinates 210 can be used if future shipments to the same address are required. In another example, the server 110 may use the geographic coordinates 210 to determine the geographic coordinates of other addresses. In yet another example, the server 110 may request the geographic coordinates 210 based on previous issues associated with locating addresses near the destination 118. These functions are further described with respect to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6.

  FIG. 3 shows the server 110 of FIG. 2 associated with the table 220 used to determine the approximate geographic coordinates 320 of the address 310. As provided by FIG. 2, server 110 may receive address 310 and use address 310 and table 220 to determine approximate geographic coordinates 320. In general, the server 110 may approximately determine the geographic coordinates 320 of the received address 310 using the geographic coordinates stored in the table 220. In the example shown in FIG. 3, some of the columns of table 220 have been expanded to show specific portions of the address. However, such columns can be merged or combined to form any suitable number of columns.

  Table 220 may include information regarding destination 118. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the table 220 includes the address and geographic coordinates of the destination 118. Table 220 also includes an entry indicating whether there was a previous delivery problem associated with destination 118. FIG. 3 shows information listed in the “Problem” column as “Yes” or “No”, but “Problem” is not limited to Boolean indicators, alphanumeric characters, the scope of the problem (eg, “ It should be understood that it can be expressed in any suitable format, including "Yes within 1 mile of this address"). The present disclosure assumes a table 220 that includes any suitable information regarding the destination 118, such as, for example, the number of previous delivery problems, the number of previous deliveries, the percentage of total successful deliveries, and the like. Server 110 may refer to information in table 220 to assist transport vehicle 116 in identifying the location of destination 118.

  Server 110 may maintain a table 220. For example, the server 110 may store and update the table 220 over time to track the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118. Server 220 may also update table 220 to track previous delivery issues associated with destination 118. This disclosure contemplates a table 220 that is maintained in any suitable manner to track any suitable information associated with the destination 118.

  Server 110 may receive address 310. Address 310 may be sent by any suitable element of system 200. For example, transport vehicle 116 may send address 310 as part of message 230 indicating that transport vehicle 116 has a location specific problem with address 310. As another example, the merchant may send the address 310 to the server 110 that expects the server 110 to return the geographic coordinates associated with the address 310.

  After receiving the address 310, the server 110 may examine the table 220 to determine whether the address 310 is stored in the table 220. Specifically, the server 110 may determine whether any street number, street name, street identifier, and / or zip code stored in the table 220 matches those in the address 310. If server 110 determines that address 310 is stored in table 220, server 110 may continue to determine whether the geographic coordinates of address 310 are stored in table 220. If server 110 determines that the geographic coordinates of address 310 are also stored in table 220, server 110 may communicate the geographic coordinates of address 310 from table 220. For example, when the transport vehicle 116 transmits an address 111 of “111 main street” having a postal code of “00000”, the server 110 determines that the address 310 is stored in the table 220 and the table 220 for the address. Can return the geographic coordinates 210 of (x1, y1, z1) stored in.

  If server 110 determines that neither address 310 nor the geographic coordinates of address 310 are stored in table 220, server 110 may generate approximate geographic coordinates 320 of address 310. The approximate geographic coordinates 320 may provide some assistance to the transport vehicle 116 or the merchant in identifying the location of the destination 118. For example, approximate geographic coordinates 320 may inform transport vehicle 116 of the approximate location of destination 118. The transport vehicle 116 may be able to identify the exact location of the destination 118 at a given approximate geographic coordinate 320.

  Server 110 may determine approximate geographic coordinates 320 using an address that is near or within the predetermined distance of destination 118. In certain embodiments, server 110 may use table 220 to determine an address that is close to address 310. For example, server 110 may determine an address in table 220 that has the same zip code as address 310. As another example, server 110 may determine an address in table 220 that is the same as address 310. After determining such an address, the server 110 may approximately determine the geographic coordinates 320 of the address 310 using the geographic coordinates of such address.

  For example, transport vehicle 116 may request geographic coordinates 210 for “113 Boulevard” with a postal code “00000”. Server 110 may determine that address 310 is not stored in table 220. The server 110 then matches the zip code and street name of the first two addresses shown in the table 220 of the example of FIG. One address may be determined to be close to the address 310. The server 110 may then approximate the geographic coordinates 320 of the address 310 using the geographic coordinates (x1, y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2) of such two addresses. For example, the server 110 may determine that the address 310 should be located between “111 Boulevard” and “115 Boulevard” based on the two addresses. The server 110 may then approximately determine the geographic coordinates 320 of the address 310 to fit somewhere between (x1, y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2). For example, the approximate geographic coordinates 320 may be (x3, y3, z3), where x1 <x3 <x2, y1 <y3 <y2, and z1 <z3 <z2. (X3, y3, z3) may not be the exact geographic coordinates of destination 210, but transport vehicle 116 still uses (x3, y3, z3) to map or global positioning system. It may be possible to identify the location of the destination 118 on the device. Although this disclosure describes geographic coordinates using specific numbers, this disclosure contemplates geographic coordinates being any suitable number. For example, the geographic coordinates can represent the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the address. By providing approximate geographic coordinates 320 of the destination 118 to the transport vehicle 116, the system 200 is when the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 are not available and when the user 112 cannot provide the geographic coordinates 210. However, it may help the transport vehicle 116 identify the location of the destination 118. For example, the global positioning system receiver of transport vehicle 116 may provide transport vehicle 116 with a route to destination 118 given approximate geographic coordinates 210.

  In certain embodiments, the server 110 may further determine the distance between the destination 118 and the stored address. Server 110 may use that distance to approximately determine geographic coordinates 320 of destination 118. For example, the server 110 may determine that the main street buildings are 20 feet apart from each other. Server 110 may then use that distance to determine that “113 Boulevard” is 20 feet from “111 Boulevard” and 20 feet from “115 Boulevard”. Server 110 may then use that information to approximately determine “113 Boulevard” geographic coordinates 320.

  In certain embodiments, after the server 110 determines the approximate geographic coordinates 320 of the address 310, the server 310 may communicate the approximate geographic coordinates 320. For example, the server 110 may communicate the approximate geographic coordinates 320 to the transport vehicle 116 where it is difficult to locate the destination associated with the address 310. As another example, server 110 may send approximate geographic coordinates 320 to a merchant in need of determining the geographic coordinates of address 310. In certain embodiments, the server 110 may additionally send geographic coordinates of an address that is close to the address 310. In this way, the merchant may display such geographic coordinates on a map to determine the area where the address 310 may be located.

  As an example, transport vehicle 116 may have difficulty locating home destination 118. The transport vehicle 116 sends the address associated with the house to the server 110. However, server 110 determines that the recipient of the delivery is not at home and that the geographical coordinates of the home are not yet stored in server 110. Instead of sending a message to transport vehicle 116 indicating that geographic coordinates are not available, server 110 may determine whether there are geographic coordinates for an address near the house. Server 110 may find some of such addresses and use the associated geographic coordinates of the address to approximate the geographic coordinates of the house. For example, the server 110 may have geographic coordinates of several neighborhood homes. Server 110 may use such geographic coordinates to provide the approximate location of the house to transport vehicle 116. The transport vehicle 116 may use such approximate geographic coordinates to identify the exact location of the house on a map or global positioning system device.

  FIG. 4 shows the system 200 of FIG. In one embodiment, system 200 is used by user 112 during the checkout process. In this embodiment, during the checkout process, server 110 may use 114 to prompt user 112 to provide one or more sets of geographic coordinates 210 for one or more corresponding destinations 118. Server 110 then uses the received one or more sets of geographic coordinates to determine one or more corresponding destination addresses for destination 118 and uses one or both of the geographic coordinates and the destination address for subsequent use. The transport vehicle 116 can be provided. Server 110 may store the received geographic coordinates of destination 118 and the associated destination address in table 220 of memory 134. In this way, server 110 may build a database of geographic coordinates and destination addresses for that user 112.

  As described in detail below, in certain embodiments, the server 110 may request geographic coordinates from the user 112 upon determining that there is a problem locating the associated destination 118. As provided by FIG. 4, table 220 may include a column labeled “Problem”. The information in that column may indicate whether there was a previous problem associated with the location identification for a particular address. Server 110 uses the information in this column to determine when to request the geographic coordinates of a particular destination 118. Although not shown, the present disclosure provides the address of the destination 118, the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118, the number of previous orders delivered to the destination 118, and any other suitable information associated with the destination 118. Assume a table 220 that further includes other information associated with the destination 118, including

  In certain embodiments, the server 110 may use the “Problem” column to determine whether to request the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 in advance. For example, user 112 may have ordered a product from an online merchant associated with server 110. As part of the checkout process, user 112 may provide the address of destination 118 to server 110. The server 110 may determine that the address and corresponding geographic coordinates 210 are not stored in the table 220, but if a delivery problem is anticipated, during the checkout process, the device 114 may be used to address the destination 118. It may be efficient to ask the user 112 to provide the geographic coordinates 210 of the user. To determine if there could be a delivery problem, the server 110 stored the destination 118 address in the table 220 to determine which other destinations are near the destination 118. It can be compared with other destination addresses. Server 110 may then determine whether transport vehicle 116 has had such other destination location problems. If there is a problem, the server 110 expects the transport vehicle 116 to have a delivery problem in locating the destination 118. Server 110 may then address the delivery problem by requesting and receiving geographic coordinates of destination 118 from user 112 and / or device 114. In this way, when the transport vehicle 116 informs the server 110 that the transport vehicle has a location problem with the destination 118, the server 110 has already stored the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118. The geographic coordinates 210 can be provided to the transport vehicle 116.

  In certain embodiments, server 110 may receive address 410. Address 410 may have been sent by user 112 and may be an address associated with destination 118. For example, the user 112 may provide the address 410 as part of a transaction with a merchant on the Internet. User 112 may provide address 410 as part of the checkout process with the merchant. User 112 expects the merchant to deliver the purchase to address 410. The address 410 and the geographic coordinates 210 associated with the address 410 may not be stored on the server 110.

  Server 110 may determine that address 410 or geographic coordinates associated with address 410 are not stored in table 220. In certain embodiments, this may mean that the address 410 is an address that the merchant has never delivered before. In response to the determination, server 110 may investigate whether there was a previous problem associated with address location determination near address 410. For example, the address 410 may be “113 Boulevard”. Server 110 may determine two addresses in table 220, namely “111 boulevard” and “115 boulevard” near address 410. Server 110 may then examine the column labeled “Problem” to determine if there was a previous problem associated with the location identification of “111 Boulevard” and “115 Boulevard”. If there was no previous issue of address location near address 410, server 110 may continue the transaction.

However, if there was a previous problem of location of “111 boulevard” and “115 boulevard”, server 110 may expect transport vehicle 116 to encounter a location problem of “113 boulevard”. In order to address this issue in advance, the server 110 may request the user 112 to provide geographic coordinates 210 associated with the destination 118. Server 110 may communicate message 240 to user 112 requesting geographic coordinates of destination 118. Message 240 may inform user 112 that an address close to the user-provided address has previously encountered a delivery problem, such that system 200 anticipates that a delivery problem may occur for destination 118. . Message 240 may further request user 112 to provide geographic coordinates 210 using device 114 when user 112 is located at destination 118. Such geographic coordinates 210 may later be provided to a transport vehicle 116 that is attempting to deliver the package to the destination 118. In accordance with the process described with respect to FIG. 2, in response to message 240, user 112 may use device 114 to provide geographic coordinates 210 associated with address 410 to server 110. Server 110 may then store address 410 and geographic coordinates 210 in table 220. In this way, server 110 may collect geographic coordinates 210 in advance when a problem associated with the location identification of destination 118 is anticipated. When the transport vehicle 116 is about to deliver the package to the destination 118, the server 110 does not require the user 112 to request the geographic coordinates 210 at that time, and the geographical coordinates of the destination 118 are transported. Can be provided to.

  In some embodiments, the server 110 may have received geographic coordinates 210 from the user 112 for the destination 118 and may be approximately determined using any of the techniques described above. It may also have the geographic coordinates 210 of the ground 118. In such embodiments, the server 110 may compare the received geographic coordinates 210 with the approximately determined geographic coordinates 210 to determine if there are any differences. If there is a difference that is greater than a certain magnitude (eg, the received geographic coordinates 210 are far away from the approximated geographic coordinates 210), the server 110 requests the updated geographic coordinates 210. A message may be communicated to user device 114. Alternatively, the server 110 may take other corrective measures such as recalculating the approximately determined geographic coordinates 210.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for determining the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118. Server 110 may perform method 500. At step 505, server 110 may receive a message 230 indicating a location specific problem for destination 118. Message 230 may have been sent by transport vehicle 116 attempting to deliver the package to destination 118. The message 230 further includes the name of the user 112, the location of the transport vehicle 116, the order that the server 110 can use to determine how the transport vehicle 116 assists in identifying the location of the destination 118. A number, and any other suitable information may be included. At step 510, server 110 may determine whether geographic coordinates 210 associated with destination 118 are stored in memory 134. In certain embodiments, server 110 may determine whether geographic coordinates 210 are stored in table 220. If the geographic coordinates 210 are stored in the table 220, execution proceeds to step 540 where the server 110 sends the geographic coordinates 210 to the transport vehicle 116 to assist in locating the destination 118. Send.

  If the geographic coordinates 210 are not stored in the table 220, the server 110 may determine whether the user 112 associated with the destination 118 is located at the destination 118. In certain embodiments, server 110 may send a message to user 112 requesting user 112 to check whether user 112 is located at destination 118. The message may inform the user 112 that delivery is in progress and the transport vehicle 116 has difficulty locating the destination 118. The message may further request the user 112 to indicate whether the user 112 is located at the destination 118. User 112 may respond to the message to indicate to server 110 whether user 112 is located at destination 118. If the server 110 determines that the user 112 is not at the destination 118, the server 110 may proceed to step 615 of the method 600 shown in FIG.

  If server 110 determines that user 112 is located at the destination, server 110 may continue with step 525 to request geographic coordinates 210 associated with destination 118. In certain embodiments, server 110 may send a request for geographic coordinates 210 to user 112. This request may ask the user 112 to provide the geographic coordinates 210 using the device 114 to help the transport vehicle 116 locate the destination 118. Since the user 112 has confirmed that the user 112 and / or the device 114 is located at the destination 118, the server 110 may use the geographic coordinates 210 of the device 114 as the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118. User 112 may use device 114 to send geographic coordinates 210 of device 114 to server 110. At step 530, server 110 may receive geographic coordinates 210, and at step 535, server 110 may store the geographic coordinates and address of destination 118 in memory 134, specifically table 220. The server 110 then ends at step 540 by sending the geographic coordinates 210 of the destination 118 to the transport vehicle 116 to assist the transport vehicle 116 in identifying the location of the destination 118.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 600 for determining approximate geographic coordinates 320 for a destination address. Server 110 may perform method 600. At step 605, server 110 may store a plurality of addresses and a plurality of geographic coordinates associated with the plurality of addresses in table 220. At step 610, server 110 may receive a request for destination address geographic coordinates 210. In response to receiving the request, server 110 may determine whether the destination address is stored in table 220 at step 615. If the destination address is stored in table 220, server 110 may continue with step 620 to determine whether the geographic coordinates associated with the destination address are also stored in table 220. If server 110 determines that the geographic coordinates associated with the destination address are also stored, in response to the request for geographic coordinates, server 110 transmits the geographic coordinates 210 associated with the destination address at step 630. It can end.

  However, if, at steps 615 and 620, server 110 determines that either the destination address or the geographic coordinates associated with the destination address are not stored in table 220, server 110 continues with step 625 to At least one stored address that is within a predetermined proximity of the two addresses may be determined. In certain embodiments, the server 110 determines at least one stored address by examining a plurality of stored addresses and finding an address in the plurality of addresses having a portion that matches the destination address. obtain. For example, the server 110 may determine an address among multiple addresses having the same zip code as the destination address. As another example, the server 110 may determine an address that has the same zip code and street name as the destination address.

  At step 635, server 110 may determine approximate geographic coordinates 320 of the destination address based at least in part on the stored geographic coordinates associated with the at least one stored address. In step 640, the server 110 may end by sending the approximate geographic coordinates 320 of the destination address in response to a request for the geographic coordinates of the destination address.

  FIG. 7 illustrates an example computer system 700 that may be used with one or more portions of the example system 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular computer system 700 having particular components in a particular configuration, this disclosure is any suitable having any suitable component in any suitable configuration. Assume a computer system. Further, the computer system 700 may include, for example, one or more integrated circuits (ICs), one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), one or more portable or other devices (such as a mobile phone or PDA), one It can take any suitable physical form, such as the above personal computers, one or more supercomputers, one or more servers, and one or more distributed computing elements. Some or all of user system 102, server system 106, storage module 108, and computing resource 110 may use all of the components of computer system 700 described below, or any suitable combination of components. Can be realized.

  The computer system 700 includes one or more input devices 702 (which may include a keypad, keyboard, mouse, stylus, or other input device) and one or more output devices 704 (one or more displays, one or more A plurality of speakers, one or more printers, or other output devices), one or more storage devices 706, and one or more storage media 708. Input device 702 may be external or internal to computer system 700. The output device 704 can be external or internal to the computer system 700. Storage device 706 may be external or internal to computer system 700. Storage medium 708 may be external or internal to computer system 700.

  A system bus 710 couples the subsystems of the computer system 700 to each other. Herein, a bus reference includes one or more digital signal lines that perform a common function. The present disclosure includes any suitable bus structure having any suitable bus architecture (such as one or more memory buses, one or more peripheral buses, one or more local buses, or combinations thereof) A preferred system bus 710 is assumed. Exemplary bus architectures include: Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI -An Express bus (PCI-X) and an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus include, but are not limited to.

  Computer system 700 includes one or more processors 712 (or central processing units (CPUs)). The processor 712 may include a cache 714 for temporary local storage of instructions, data, or computer addresses. The processor 712 can be coupled to one or more storage devices including a memory 716. Memory 716 may include RAM 718 and ROM 720. Data and instructions may be transferred bi-directionally between the processor 712 and the RAM 718. Data and instructions may be transferred from ROM 720 to processor 712 in one direction. RAM 718 and ROM 720 may include any suitable computer-readable storage medium.

  Computer system 700 includes persistent storage 722 that is bi-directionally coupled to processor 712. Fixed storage device 722 may be coupled to processor 712 via storage control unit 707. Fixed storage 722 may provide additional data storage capacity and may include any suitable computer-readable storage medium. The fixed storage device 722 may store an operating system (OS) 724, one or more executable files (EXEC) 726, one or more applications or programs 728, data 730, and the like. The fixed storage device 722 is generally a secondary storage medium (such as a hard disk) that is slower than the main storage device. In appropriate cases, information stored by persistent storage 722 may be incorporated into memory 716 as virtual memory. In certain embodiments, persistent storage 722 may include network resources, such as one or more storage area networks (SAN) or network attached storage (NAS).

  The processor 712 can be coupled to various interfaces, such as, for example, a graphics control 732, a video interface 734, an input interface 736, an output interface 737, and a storage device interface 738, and each can then be coupled to a suitable device. Exemplary input or output devices include a video display, trackball, mouse, keyboard, microphone, touch sensitive display, transducer card reader, magnetic or paper tape reader, tablet, stylus, voice or handwriting recognizer, biometric reader or computer Include, but are not limited to, systems. Network interface 740 may couple processor 712 to another computer system or to network 742. Interface 740 may include wired, wireless, or any combination of wired and wireless components. Such components may include wired network cards, wireless network cards, radios, antennas, cables, or any other suitable component. Network interface 740 may allow processor 712 to receive information from or send information to network 742 in the course of performing certain steps of an embodiment. Some embodiments may only execute on the processor 712. Certain embodiments may execute on processor 712 and one or more remote processors operating together.

  In a network environment where computer system 700 is connected to network 742, computer system 700 may communicate with other devices connected to network 742. Computer system 700 may communicate with network 742 via network interface 740. For example, the computer system 700 may receive information (such as a request or response from another device) from the network 742 in the form of one or more incoming packets at the network interface 740, and the memory 716 may be used for further processing. For this purpose, the incoming packet can be stored. The computer system 700 may send information (such as a request or response to another device) from the network interface 740 in the form of one or more outgoing packets to the network 742, and the memory 716 may send the information until it is sent. You can remember. Processor 712 may access and process incoming or outgoing packets in memory 716 depending on the particular needs.

  Certain embodiments relate to one or more computer storage products, which tangible embody software for performing one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein. Computer readable storage media. In certain embodiments, one or more portions of media, software, or both, are specifically designed and manufactured to perform one or more steps of one or more processes described or shown herein. obtain. Additionally or alternatively, one or more portions of media, software, or both may be generally available without design or manufacture specific to the process described or shown herein. . Exemplary computer-readable storage media include CD (CD-ROM etc.), FPGA, floppy disk, optical disc, hard disk, holographic storage device, IC (ASIC etc.), magnetic tape, cache, PLD, RAM device, These include, but are not limited to, ROM devices, semiconductor memory devices, and other suitable computer readable storage media. In some embodiments, the software can be machine code that can be generated by a compiler, or one or more files that contain high-level code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter.

  By way of example and not by way of limitation, memory 716 may include one or more tangible computer readable storage media that embody software, and computer system 700 includes processor 712 executing software. As a result, certain functions described or shown herein may be provided. Memory 716 may store software and processor 712 may execute the software. The memory 716 may read software from the computer readable storage medium of the mass storage device 716 that embodies the software or from one or more other sources via the network interface 740. When executing software, processor 712 may perform one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein, which may be stored in memory 716 depending on the particular needs. Defining one or more data structures to do and modifying one or more of the data structures as directed by one or more portions of software.

  In certain embodiments, the described processing and memory elements (such as processor 712 and memory 716) may be distributed across multiple devices, so that operations performed utilizing these elements are also distributed across multiple devices. obtain. For example, software that operates utilizing such elements may operate across a number of computers that include such processing and memory elements. Other variations, excluding the previous example, are envisioned to involve the use of distributed computing.

  In addition or alternatively, the computer system 700 may be specially described or illustrated herein as a result of logic that is hardwired into the circuit or otherwise embodied in the circuit. Which may operate in place of or in conjunction with software to perform one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein. The present disclosure encompasses any suitable combination of hardware and software according to particular needs.

(Appendix)
1. A delivery application that executes on the processor of the delivery device; a user application that runs on the processor of the user device; and a merchant server that is communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device and the processor of the user device, the delivery application comprising: The user application is operable to communicate a message indicating a problem associated with the location of the user's destination, and the user application communicates a message confirming that the user device is located at the destination and the geography of the destination Operable to communicate the coordinates, the merchant server is operable to communicate with the user application to receive the geographic coordinates of the destination and to communicate the geographic coordinates of the destination to the delivery application. system.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery device is associated with a deliverer attempting to deliver to the destination.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the merchant server is further operable to determine a route based at least in part on the geographic coordinates of the destination and communicate the route to the delivery application.
4). The system of claim 1, wherein the merchant server stores a user order identifying a destination address, wherein the order includes a purchase transaction involving a product delivered to the destination.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the order was executed on a merchant website associated with the merchant server.
6). The system of claim 1, wherein the problems associated with destination location determination include at least one of an incomplete address, as indicated, an invalid address, and an ambiguous address.
7). A method for associating a location's geographic coordinates with a location's address, receiving notification of problems relating to finding the location associated with the address and requesting the location's geographic coordinates from the user device associated with the address And receiving the geographic coordinates associated with the location and communicating the geographic coordinates of the location to the transport vehicle device.
8). The method of claim 7 further comprising verifying that the user device is located at the location before requesting the geographic coordinates of the location.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising communicating a link associated with a website that can provide geographic coordinates.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the geographic coordinates include a latitude measurement and a longitude measurement.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining a route based at least in part on the geographic coordinates.
12 The method of claim 7, further comprising storing the geographic coordinates of the location in memory in association with the location address.
13. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing the geographic coordinates of the plurality of addresses in a memory and determining whether the geographic coordinates of the location in question are stored in the memory.
14 Storing the geographic coordinates of the plurality of addresses in memory; determining that the address of the location in question is associated with at least one of the different but stored addresses; and The method of claim 7, further comprising using at least one of the geographic coordinates to determine the geographic coordinates of the location in question.
15. A memory operable to store contact information of the user device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor indicating a problem associated with the location of the destination associated with the user device. 1 message, communicates a request for the geographic coordinates of the destination to the user device according to the stored contact information, confirms that the user device is located close to the destination, and determines the geographic coordinates of the destination An apparatus operable to receive and communicate a second message including a geographic coordinate of a destination to a transport vehicle device.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transport vehicle associated with the transport vehicle device is about to travel to the destination, and the transport vehicle device communicates a first message associated with the destination location specific problem.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the request can be forwarded to another device that can receive the geographic coordinates of the destination.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the request includes a link associated with the website, and the geographic coordinates of the destination can be received through the website.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the request includes a message communicated via an application running on the user device.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the geographic coordinates are based at least in part on a location of the wireless network associated with the destination.
21. A delivery application that executes on the processor of the delivery device and a merchant server that is communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device, wherein the delivery application communicates a message indicating a location specific problem of the first location. And the merchant server receives a message indicating a problem associated with the first location and the first location is associated with a second location that is within a predetermined distance of the first location. Determining, approximately determining the geographic coordinates associated with the first location based at least in part on the geographic coordinates associated with the second location, and communicating the approximately determined geographic coordinates to the delivery application System that is operable.
22. The system of clause 21 wherein the delivery device is associated with a deliverer who is about to deliver to the first location.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein approximately determining the geographic coordinates is based at least in part on a distance between the first location and the second location.
24. A memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the memory is operable to store a first address and to store geographic coordinates associated with the first address, the processor Operable to receive a second address that is not stored in the memory and approximately determine a geographic coordinate of the second address based at least in part on the geographic coordinate associated with the first address. There is a device.
25. The memory is further operable to store at least one previous problem associated with the first address, and the processor is based at least in part on the at least one previous problem associated with the first address. The apparatus of claim 24, further operable to determine that there is a problem associated with the second address.
26. The processor further requests geographic coordinates associated with the second address in response to determining that there is a problem associated with the second address, receives the geographic coordinates associated with the second address, and 26. The apparatus of clause 25, operable to store the geographic coordinates associated with the two addresses in memory.
27. The first address is within a certain distance of the second address, and the processor further approximates the geographic coordinates of the second address and the approximated geography of the second address. Item 25. The device of clause 24, operable to communicate coordinates.
28. 28. The apparatus of clause 27, wherein the processor is further operable to communicate a route based at least in part on the approximately determined geographic coordinates of the second address.
29. 25. The apparatus of clause 24, wherein the processor is further operable to approximately determine the geographic coordinates of the second address based at least in part on the distance between the first address and the second address.
30. The postscript associated with the first address matches the postal code associated with the second address, or the street name associated with the first address matches the street name associated with the second address 24. Device according to 24.
31. The processor is further operable to request geographic coordinates associated with the second address, receive the geographic coordinates associated with the second address, and store the geographic coordinates associated with the second address in memory. 25. Apparatus according to appendix 24 that is possible.
32. The processor further receives a message indicating a problem associated with the location identification of the second address and assists in resolving the problem associated with the location identification of the second address in response to receiving the message. 25. The apparatus of clause 24, wherein the apparatus is operable to communicate a second message that includes a geographic coordinate associated with the first address.
33. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second address is received as part of a checkout process.
34. A method for approximately determining the geographic coordinates of a location, comprising receiving a request for geographic coordinates associated with a first location; and a second location within a defined distance of the first location; Approximately determining geographic coordinates associated with a location based at least in part on the associated geographic coordinates, and communicating the approximately determined geographic coordinates upon request.
35. 35. The method of clause 34, further comprising determining that there is a problem associated with the first location location based at least in part on a previous issue associated with the second location location.
36. Requesting geographic coordinates associated with the first location in response to determining that there is a problem associated with the location identification of the first location and receiving the geographic coordinates associated with the first location upon request 36. The method according to appendix 35, further comprising:
37. Comparing the received geographic coordinates of the first location with the approximated first location geographic coordinates, and receiving the received first location geographic coordinates of the approximated first location. 37. The method of claim 36, further comprising communicating a message when not within a particular distance of geographic coordinates.
38. 35. The method of clause 34, further comprising approximately determining the geographic coordinates of the location based at least in part on the distance between the second location and the first location.
39. The method of claim 34, wherein approximately determining the geographic coordinates associated with the first location is in response to a determination that the geographic coordinates of the first location are not stored in memory.
40. 35. The method of clause 34, wherein approximately determining the geographic coordinates associated with the first location is responsive to determining that a user associated with the first location is not located at the first location.

  Although the present disclosure includes multiple embodiments, many variations, modifications, alternatives, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. The present invention is intended to embrace such alterations, modifications, alternatives, alternatives, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

A delivery application running on the processor of the delivery device;
A user application running on the processor of the user device;
A merchant server communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device and the processor of the user device;
The delivery application is operable to communicate a message indicating a problem associated with the user's destination location identification;
The user application is operable to communicate a message confirming that the user device is located at the destination and to communicate the geographic coordinates of the destination;
The merchant server is operable to communicate with the user application to receive the geographic coordinates of the destination and to communicate the geographic coordinates of the destination to the delivery application;
system.   The system of claim 1, wherein the merchant server is further operable to determine a route based at least in part on the geographic coordinates of the destination and communicate the route to the delivery application.   The system of claim 1, wherein the problems associated with location determination of the destination include at least one of an incomplete address, an unaddressed, invalid address, and an ambiguous address. A memory operable to store contact information of the user device;
A processor communicatively coupled to the memory;
The processor
Receiving a first message indicating a problem associated with destination location identification associated with the user device;
Communicating a request for geographic coordinates of the destination to the user device according to the stored contact information;
Confirm that the user device is located close to the destination,
Operable to receive the geographic coordinates of the destination and communicate a second message including the geographic coordinates of the destination to a transport vehicle device;
apparatus.   The transport vehicle associated with the transport vehicle device is about to travel to the destination, and the transport vehicle device communicates the first message associated with the destination location specific problem. The device described in 1.   The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the request includes a link associated with a website, and the geographic coordinates of the destination can be received through the website.   The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the geographic coordinates are based at least in part on a location of a wireless network associated with the destination. Memory,
A processor communicatively coupled to the memory;
The memory is operable to store a first address and store geographic coordinates associated with the first address;
The processor receives a second address not stored in the memory and approximately approximates the geographic coordinate of the second address based at least in part on the geographic coordinate associated with the first address. Operable as required,
apparatus. The memory is further operable to store at least one previous problem associated with the first address;
The processor is further operable to determine that a problem associated with the second address exists based at least in part on the at least one previous problem associated with the first address.
The apparatus according to claim 8.   The processor is further operable to approximately determine the geographic coordinates of the second address based at least in part on a distance between the first address and the second address. The device described in 1. The processor is
Requesting geographic coordinates associated with the second address;
Further operable to receive the geographic coordinates associated with the second address and store the geographic coordinates associated with the second address in the memory;
The apparatus according to claim 8. A method for approximating the geographical coordinates of a place,
Receiving a request for geographic coordinates associated with a first location;
Approximately determining the geographic coordinates associated with the first location based at least in part on the geographic coordinates associated with a second location within a defined distance of the first location; and the request Communicating the approximately determined geographic coordinates in response to
Method.   13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining that there is a problem associated with the first location location based at least in part on a previous issue associated with the second location location. .   The method of claim 12, further comprising approximately determining the geographic coordinates of the location based at least in part on a distance between the second location and the first location.   The approximate determination of the geographic coordinates associated with the first location is responsive to determining that a user associated with the first location is not located at the first location. Method.

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