Trimble Navigation Limited

Matthew M Trask

Glenn Clifford Steiner

Lloyd H Banta

A system and method for dispatcher free vehicle allocation. In one embodiment, the present dispatcher free vehicle allocation (DFVA) system includes a plurality of mobile service providers (vehicles). Each of the vehicles is communicatively linked to DFVA computer system. Each of the vehicles contain a position determining system adapted to determine the present position of each the vehicle. Each of the vehicles communicates its present position to the DFVA system. The DFVA system is adapted to track the present location of each vehicle. The DFVA system answers dispatch requests for service from customers within the operational area. The DFVA system then determines a most appropriate vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, to respond to the customer's dispatch request. The present DFVA system then transfers the customer to the driver of the most appropriate vehicle.

Dispatcher free vehicle allocation system

A Personal Digital Location Apparatus for displaying a geographical location as an icon on a map. The apparatus includes a GPS Smart Antenna for determining the geographical location, a personal computing device including a display, a processing system including a standard software operating system such as DOS, Windows, Macintosh, or Geoworks, and a map application program capable of running in the operating system. The GPS Smart Antenna includes an internal battery and a power sensor for sensing the connection of an external power source. The GPS Smart Antenna receives power from the external power source when the power sensor senses that the external power source is connected and receives power from the internal battery when the power sensor senses that the external power source is not connected. An input select switch controlled by a Request to Send signal from the personal computing device enables the GPS Smart Antenna to use a single UART chip for receiving a command/control signal from the personal computing device and a differential GPS (DGPS) signal from a DGPS radiowave receiver.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Matthew M Trask