Ride Reservation Matching System for Cost Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportation reservation systems lack a seamless and electronic method to connect and share similar ride reservations, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization and increased costs for travelers.
Innovation Solution
A system that electronically matches transportation reservations, allowing for the combination and sharing of rides between users traveling to similar destinations at similar times, optimizing provider inventory and cost management, and enabling proportional cost splitting based on distance or time traveled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional separate reservation systems are used, then each user books rides independently, but this leads to increased travel expenses and reduced resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate reservation systems into a unified platform that processes and matches ride requests across different providers. The system merges data from multiple sources (ride requests, provider inventory, pricing information) into a single coordinated booking system that optimizes resource allocation across the entire network rather than individual isolated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservation system is designed to work with multiple transportation providers and various ride types simultaneously. It provides universal functionality to handle different booking scenarios (individual rides, shared rides, corporate accounts, personal accounts) through a single platform, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems for each provider or ride type.
2Productivity
If ride sharing matching system is implemented, then resource utilization is optimized and costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing ride request data and provider inventory information in standardized formats before matching is needed. Ride requests are queued and pre-validated, and provider capabilities are pre-inventoried, allowing the matching algorithm to operate on already-prepared data rather than processing raw information in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary matching layer between users and providers that handles the complex matching logic. This intermediary system translates user ride requests into provider-specific booking formats and coordinates between multiple providers, acting as a mediator that simplifies the interface while managing complexity internally through standardized communication protocols.
3Loss of information
If electronic matching and cost splitting is implemented, then customer savings are provided, but measurement and calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters by converting complex cost allocation problems into standardized calculations based on measurable factors like distance traveled and time duration. Instead of dealing with arbitrary cost-sharing agreements, the system transforms cost distribution into mathematical functions of observable parameters (miles driven, minutes in transit), making allocation objective and automated.
Solution Approach 2:
The cost splitting system implements feedback mechanisms where the actual costs incurred by providers are fed back into the calculation engine, which then automatically adjusts and redistributes costs among users based on their actual consumption. The system continuously monitors ride outcomes and uses this feedback to refine cost allocations, ensuring accuracy while automating the complexity through iterative calculation and adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system capable of electronically matching transportation reservations with existing, new, or potential reservations, so that the orders can be combined, the reservation shared between requesting parties, utilization and management of transportation provider inventory and costs can be optimized, and savings opportunities for customers may be provided. Costs may also be divided proportionally based on a combination of distance and/or time traveled, or other cost accrual methods per riding party, and split/billed electronically via the reservation system. The system can operate as a standalone reservation repository or in concert with one or many existing reservation providers.