WO2022113002A1

WO2022113002A1 - System and method for moving services

Info

Publication number: WO2022113002A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/060990
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yaron Leifenberg; Alona ASSOULINE POLAK; Israel KESSLER; Eyal LEIFENBERG
Original assignee: Fox In Green Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-11-25
Filing date: 2021-11-25
Publication date: 2022-06-02

Abstract

A method and system for providing moving services of an item based on a received order comprising a moving management system (MMS) configured for determining based on the order whether the item can be handled by a driver alone, and when it is determined that the driver cannot move the item alone, dispatching an assistant to assist the driver with handling of the item, wherein the driver travels alone in a vehicle for moving and wherein the assistant does not travel with the driver.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOVING SERVICES

BACKGROUND

Small to medium item (SMI) moving is in high demand worldwide. Examples of small to medium items may include furniture, art, plants, cartons, etc. Customers for these SMI delivery services may include home renters, businesses, retailers and so forth. Since the items are small to medium size, and the service is needed ad-hoc, customers may generally prefer on-demand, same-day service.

Currently, the choice of service may be between high-end, professional, quality- controlled, regulated moving services, that are typically expensive and generally need to be ordered weeks in advance or low-end, non-professional, non-regulated services such as provided by individual truck drivers. Courier and delivery services are generally not suitable as they specialize in transport of documents and small items, and generally rely on centralized collection of all items to dispatch centers, which may add unneeded overhead (and costs) for moving of SMI.

Up till now, there has therefore been no way to employ skilled professionals and maintain an affordable, on-demand, reliable, yet viable small or medium item delivery service.

SUMMARY

Described herein are systems and methods for providing moving services for SMI. The systems and methods described herein may enable providing of affordable, on-demand, reliable SMI moving services. Aspects described herein include:

• On-demand moving assistants: A van and driver may be sent to each moving order, but an assistant to help the driver with packaging and carrying the SMI to or from the van may not always be required. The system described herein provides for “on- demand” assistants and thus prevents unneeded expenses and time-wastage by not requiring that an assistant accompany the driver to every move, even where no assistant may be required;

• Automated parking fine dismissal requests: Some local authorities permit illegal parking for the purposes of moving services. However, a fine may still be issued that can then be cancelled upon proof of a valid moving work contract. The system described herein provides for automated processing of such dismissal requests;

• Customer item view in transit: to provide peace of mind to customers, on-board cameras in the moving vans may transmit live video feeds of the customer’s items in transit, for viewing by the customer through an app or service provider website, following computer vision identification of the item in the camera feeds;

• Enhanced routing and capacity balancing algorithms: in order to provide on- demand, efficient services, the moving management system described herein may make use of machine learning techniques to make effective use of available vans, drivers, and assistants for effective moving of SMI.

The term “moving” as used herein refers to moving services that may also be known as removal services for collecting transporting and delivering an SMI.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium contains instructions for providing moving services of an item based on a received order that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method, the method including: determining by a moving management system (MMS) based on the order whether the item can be packaged and/or loaded by a driver alone, wherein the driver travels alone in a vehicle for moving; and when it is determined that the driver cannot move the item alone, dispatching an assistant to assist the driver with one or both of packaging or loading the item, wherein the assistant does not travel with the driver. In some embodiments, the system further includes a plurality of drivers and assistants and wherein the MMS distributes a plurality of received orders between drivers and, where required, assistants.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium contains instructions that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method, the method including: providing a van transporting an item, wherein the van includes cameras; receiving views associated with the van from one or more of the cameras; analyzing by a moving management system (MMS) of the camera views to detect the item and determine which camera views include the item; and displaying on a GUI of a customer device the camera views that include the item.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium contains instructions for handling a parking fine that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method, the method including: scanning the parking fine and transmitting the scanned fine to an MMS; retrieving by the MMS of a related work contract; and transmitting by the MMS of a request to cancel the parking fine accompanied by the related work contract.

In some embodiments, a method for configuring a moving management system (MMS) includes defining MMS parameters; linking vans to the MMS; linking driver devices to the MMS; and linking assistant devices to the MMS.

In some embodiments, a method for providing moving services of an item based on a received order includes: determining by a moving management system (MMS) based on the order whether the item can be handled by a driver alone, wherein the driver travels alone in a vehicle for moving; and when it is determined that the driver cannot move the item alone, dispatching an assistant to assist the driver with handling of the item, wherein the assistant does not travel with the driver.

In some embodiments, the determining whether the item can be handled by a driver alone is based on machine vision analysis of photos of the item provided as part of the order. In some embodiments, the analysis determines that assistance is required as the item is one or more of too big, too heavy, requires extensive packaging and/or when there are multiple items that would take the driver too long to handle alone.

In some embodiments, the MMS manages a plurality of vehicles, drivers, and assistants and wherein the MMS distributes a plurality of received orders between the vehicles, drivers and, where required, assistants. In some embodiments, the MMS determines the vehicle to be used based on the available capacity in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the available capacity of the vehicle is determined by machine vision analysis of an image from one or more cameras that are covering the load area of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the images from the cameras may be viewed on an app or website. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving views associated with the van from one or more of the cameras; analyzing by the MMS of the camera views to detect an item associated with an order; and displaying on a GUI of a customer device the camera views that include the item.

In some embodiments, the selection of an assistant is based on one or more of a proximity of assistants to a pickup location, a proximity of a pickup location to other pickup locations for other items, a prior allocation of an assistant to other pickup locations or destination locations, a destination location relative to future pickup locations, an expertise of an assistant for handling specific types of items, and a type and/or size of an item.

In some embodiments, the MMS generates a work contract related to the move of the item. In some embodiments, the method further includes, when a parking fine is issued to a vehicle involved in the move, scanning the parking fine, transmitting the scanned fine to the MMS; retrieving by the MMS of the related work contract; and transmitting by the MMS of a request to cancel the parking fine accompanied by the related work contract.

In some embodiments, the method further includes configuring the MMS by one or more of defining MMS parameters; linking vehicles to the MMS; linking driver devices to the MMS; and linking assistant devices to the MMS.

In some further embodiments, a system for providing moving services of an item based on a received order includes a moving management system (MMS) configured for determining based on the order whether the item can be handled by a driver alone, and when it is determined that the driver cannot move the item alone, dispatching an assistant to assist the driver with handling of the item, wherein the driver travels alone in a vehicle for moving and wherein the assistant does not travel with the driver.

In some embodiments, the MMS is configured to manage a plurality of vehicles, drivers, and assistants and wherein the MMS is further configured to distribute a plurality of received orders between the vehicles, drivers and, where required, assistants. In some embodiments, the MMS is configured to determine the vehicle to be used based on the available capacity in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the MMS is configured to determine the available capacity of a vehicle by machine vision analysis of an image from one or more cameras that are covering the load area of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the system further includes an app or website, and wherein the image from the one or more cameras may be viewed on the app or website. In some embodiments, the MMS is further configured for: receiving views associated with the van from one or more of the cameras; for analyzing of the camera views using machine vision to detect an item associated with an order; and for displaying on a GUI of a customer device the camera views that include the item.

In some embodiments, the selection of an assistant is based on one or more of a proximity of assistants to a pickup location, a proximity of a pickup location to other pickup locations for other items, a prior allocation of an assistant to other pickup locations or destination locations, a destination location relative to future pickup locations, an expertise of an assistant for handling specific types of items, and a type and/or size of an item. In some embodiments, the MMS is further configured to generate a work contract related to the move of the item.

In some embodiments, the MMS is further configured when a parking fine is issued to a vehicle involved in the move, to receive a scan of the fine, to retrieve the related work contract, and to transmit a request to cancel the parking fine accompanied by the related work contract. In some embodiments, the MMS is configured to be configured by one or more of defining MMS parameters, linking vehicles to the MMS, linking driver devices to the MMS, and/or linking assistant devices to the MMS.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description below. It may be understood that this Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects, embodiments, and features disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 A-1D are block diagrams illustrating a system for operation of a moving service for SMI according to an example implementation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example method of operating a moving service, in accordance with implementations described herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example method of resolving parking fines received while providing moving services, in accordance with implementations described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example graphical user interface for presenting a tracked item view according to an example implementation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example method of displaying a camera view of an item moved by a moving service, in accordance with implementations described herein.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example method of setting up a system for providing moving services in accordance with implementations described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to non-limiting examples of moving systems and methods, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The examples are described below by referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. When like reference numerals are shown, corresponding description(s) are not repeated, and the interested reader is referred to the previously discussed figure(s) for a description of the like element(s).

Aspects of this disclosure may provide a technical solution to the challenging technical problem of SMI moving systems and may relate to a system for providing moving systems with the systems having at least one processor (e.g., processor, processing circuit or other processing structure described herein), including methods, systems, devices, and computer- readable media. For ease of discussion, example methods are described below with the understanding that aspects of the example methods apply equally to systems, devices, and computer-readable media. For example, some aspects of such methods may be implemented by a computing device or software running thereon. The computing device may include at least one processor (e.g., a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, ASIC, or any circuitry for performing logical operations on input data) to perform the example methods. Other aspects of such methods may be implemented over a network (e.g., a wired network, a wireless network, or both).

As another example, some aspects of such methods may be implemented as operations or program codes in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The operations or program codes may be executed by at least one processor. Non-transitory computer readable media, as described herein, may be implemented as any combination of hardware, firmware, software, or any medium capable of storing data that is readable by any computing device with a processor for performing methods or operations represented by the stored data. In a broadest sense, the example methods are not limited to particular physical or electronic instrumentalities, but rather may be accomplished using many differing instrumentalities.

The present disclosure describes technological improvements for providing moving services for SMI. FIGS. 1A-1D are block diagrams illustrating a system 100 for operation of a moving service for SMI according to an example implementation. In system 100, customers, drivers, and assistants may interact with moving management system (MMS) 120. System 100 may further include vans 112 that are managed by MMS 120. In use, customers may order moving services that are provided by drivers of vans 112 optionally assisted by assistants as will be described further below.

Communication between the entities of system 100 may take place through communications network 130 using wired or wireless communication. Communications network 130 may include a wide variety of network configurations and protocols and may be private or public or a combination of public and private networks, that facilitate the intercommunication of computing devices. For example, each of the components of system 100 in FIG. 1 A can be implemented in a localized or distributed fashion in a network.

Customers (also referred to as “users” herein) may interact with MMS 120 using customer (cust.) devices 110A, 110B, ... l lOn. Drivers may interact with MMS 120 using driver devices 114A, ... 114n. Assistants may interact with MMS 120 using assistant devices 116A, ... 116n. It should be appreciated that the numbers of devices shown in FIG. 1A are illustrative and in practice the number of devices 110, 114, 116 will be practically limited by the number of users, drivers, assistants, vans making use of system 100 as well as the processing capacity of MMS 120.

MMS 120 and the modules and components that are included in MMS 120 may run on a single computing device (e.g., a server) or multiple computing devices (e.g., multiple servers) that are configured to perform the functions and/or operations necessary to provide the functionality described herein.

MMS 120 may include a controller service 121. Controller service 121 may manage the operation of the components of MMS 120 and may direct the flow of data between the components of MMS 120. Where MMS 120 or the components of MMS 120 may be said herein to provide specific functionality or perform actions, it should be understood that the functionality or actions are performed by controller service 121 that may call on other components of MMS 120.

While MMS 120 is presented herein with specific components and modules, it should be understood by one skilled in the art, that the architectural configuration of system 100 as shown is simply one possible configuration and that other configurations with more or fewer components are possible.

MMS 120 may include a moving processing engine 124 that includes the processing logic for management of system 100. MMS 120 may include a data repository 124. Although data repository 124 is shown as a single entity, in practice data repository 124 may include one or more databases. Data repository may store data such as needed for operation of system 100.

MMS 120 may include a web server 122 to support connections from a variety of different devices 110, 114, 116, and vans 112. Devices 110, 114, 116 may be of varying type, capabilities, operating systems, etc. Furthermore, MMS 120 may concurrently accept connections from and interact with multiple devices.

MMS 120 may include a 3 ^rd party interface such as for interacting with external 3¹³ party systems such as a traffic authority 140.

Van 112 is a vehicle suited for moving SMI. The term van as used herein may refer to any of a moving van, pickup truck, truck, car, trailer, or similar vehicle with storage space therein for transporting one or more SMI. Van 112 may include van management components 150 that gather information about van 112 and enable management of van 112 by MMS 120. Van management components 150 may include but are not limited to: a controller 158 that is a computing device for controlling operation of the other components 150; one or more cameras 152 for providing video and images of the interior, exterior and surroundings of van 112; one or more motion sensors 153 for providing information about the movement of van 112; a load volume sensor 154 for providing information about the used capacity of the storage space of van 112; one or more environmental sensors for providing information about the internal and external environmental parameters (such as temperature, humidity, etc.) for van 112; a communications device 156 for enabling communications between van 112 and MMS 120; and one or more location devices 157 for providing the geolocation of van 112.

In some implementations, such as shown in FIGS. 1C, a customer using customer device 110 may interact with MMS 120 via a customer application (app) 160 installed on customer device 110. App 160 may be a stand-alone application, one or more application plug ins, a web browser accessing a website on MMS 120 and/or a browser extension.

In some implementations, such as shown in FIG. ID, a driver using driver device 114 and/or an assistant using assistant device 116 may interact with MMS 120 via a driver/assistant app 162 installed on the respective device 114 and/or 116. App 162 may be a stand-alone application, one or more application plug-ins, a web browser accessing a website on MMS 120 and/or a browser extension.

Either of app 164 or 166 provides a graphical user interface (GUI) 164 or 166 for the user to interact with MMS 120. GUI 164 or 166 may also be referred to herein as a “common visualization”. References herein to a GUI 164 or 166 and to views of GUI 164 or 166 should be understood as referring to the GUI 164 or 166 generated by apps 160 or 162 based on the data provided by MMS 120. Interaction with GUI 164 or 166 may include viewing or selecting graphical elements using the interface hardware of user devices 110, 114, 116 including but not limited to a touchscreen, mouse, keyboard and so forth.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example method 200 of operating a moving service, in accordance with implementations described herein. This method 200 may for example be performed by system 100 using the components thereof. In step 202 a customer may use a customer app running on a customer device to order a moving service for one or more SMI. A single item will be referred to here for convenience, but it should be appreciated that the method can be applied to multiple items. The customer may provide order information such as but not limited to the pickup location, destination location, size/type of item, number of items, volume of the item (cubic ft or m) photos of the items, other customer data, and so forth. The request may be transmitted by the customer app to the MMS.

In some implementations, in step 203, the customer may photograph the item/s and transmits the photo of the item/s using the app to the MMS as part of the order information. The MMS may then analyze the received photo to determine, using machine vision techniques, the type of item and/or the size of the item. In some implementations, the determined type and/or size of item may be used to determine the cost of moving the item, and/or the vehicle type/size that will need to be used to transport the item. In some implementations, information provided in the order (such as type and/or size of item) may be used to determine the cost of moving the item, and/or the vehicle type/size that will need to be used to transport the item.

In response to the request, in step 204, the MMS may determine which van will be dispatched to transport the item so that the move may be scheduled. The MMS manages multiple vans and the determination of the appropriate van may take into account factors such as but not limited to: the time of day that the move (pickup/drop-off) is required, the time of day that vans are available, the proximity of vans to the pickup location, the proximity of the pickup location to other pickup locations for other items, the prior allocation of a van to other pickup locations or destination locations, the destination location relative to future pickup locations, the transport capacity of vans at various times of the day, the size, type and number of items, the number of other pickups/drop-offs planned per hour per van, the time window for meeting the required pickup/drop-off commitment, and so forth. In some implementations, the determination of the van to be used may be made by the MMS using machine learning techniques. In some embodiments, the capacity of a vehicle may be determined by machine vision analysis of the image from one or more cameras that are covering the load area of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the MMS may utilize a form of swarm logistics that distributes delivery tasks between multiple vans, as opposed to using a single van that visits all sites.

In some embodiments, also, as part of step 204 the MMS may generate a work contract identifying the customer and the moving service provider as well as the details and terms of the move. The work contract may be stored in the MMS and provided to the customer via at least the customer app. In some implementations, the work contract may be also used as part of the method 300 described further below.

Once the van to be used has been determined and the time has been scheduled, in step 206, the MMS determines whether an assistant may be required to assist the driver with handling of the item. In some implementations, step 206 may be part of step 204. An assistant may typically be required when the item to be moved may be too big and/or heavy for the driver to move alone, and/or when extensive packaging (such as wrapping, padding) may be required, and/or when there are multiple items that would take the driver too long to handle alone. Assistance in carrying and/or packing of the item is herein referred to as “handling” the item. The determination of the need for an assistant may be based on the description of the item provided by the customer or determined by the MMS using machine vision analysis of the item photos as part of the order.

At any given time of the day, each van may have an associated driver. Where no assistant is required, at step 208, the MMS may provide the driver with the move details via the driver app on the driver device. The driver may then proceed to collect, pack, and move the item to its destination without any assistance.

When the MMS determines that an assistant may be required then, in step 206, the MMS may select a suitable assistant. An assistant may be another driver that may be close to the pickup location. Alternatively, the assistant may be a dedicated roving assistant that may travel by alternate means (not using one of the moving vans) to pickup and destination locations to assist drivers as needed. As with the van selection the determination of the appropriate assistant may take into account factors such as but not limited to: the time of day that the move is required, the time of day that the assistants are available, the proximity of assistants to the pickup location, the proximity of the pickup location to other pickup locations for other items, the prior allocation of an assistant to other pickup locations or destination locations, the destination location relative to future pickup locations, the expertise of an assistant for handling specific types of items, the type and/or size of the item/s, and so forth. Once an assistant is selected, the MMS may provide the assistant with the move details via the assistant app on the assistant device. As above, the assistant may be another driver and it should be appreciated that the driver/assistant apps are essentially the same. In step 212, the assistant may proceed to the pickup location to assist the driver with handling of the item including one or more of collecting, packing, and loading the item into the van.

In step 214, the driver may drive the van (with the item therein) to the destination location. In step 216, the MMS may select a suitable assistant for assisting the driver with offloading, unpacking, and placing the item at the destination location. In some implementations, the determination of the assistant for assisting at the destination location may be made as part of step 210. Where suitable, the selected assistant may travel with the driver from the pickup location to the destination location. Alternatively, the assistant may use other means of transportation to reach the destination location. Alternatively, another assistant different to the assistant at the pickup location may assist the driver at the destination location.

Alternatively, the driver may decide, after completing the collection of the item at the pickup location, that no assistant is needed at the destination location. In such a case the driver may inform the MMS of this decision such as by using the driver app.

In step 218, the selected assistant may assist the driver with offloading, unpacking, and placing the item at the destination location.

Where no assistant is required, it should be appreciated that system 100 and the method 200 described above prevents unneeded expenses by not requiring that an assistant accompany the driver to every move.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example method 300 of resolving parking fines received while providing moving services, in accordance with implementations described herein. This method 300 may for example be performed by MMS 120 in communication with a van 112 and a driver app 162 running on a driver device 114. In the example method, a customer has requested moving services for one or more SMI (a single item will be referred to here for convenience, but it should be appreciated that the method can be applied to multiple items). The van and driver have been assigned to perform the moving service.

In step 302, upon arriving at the pickup location, the van may be parked illegally in order to be proximal to the pickup location. In step 304, a parking fine may be issued for the illegal parking. If no parking fine is issued then, in step 306, the driver and optionally an assistant perform the move such as in method 200 above, and the method 300 for resolving traffic fines is not required. If a parking fine is issued, then in step 308, the driver may scan the parking fine using the driver app and camera of driver device. Alternatively, an assistant that may be present for the move may scan the fine using the assistant app and camera of the assistant device. The scanned parking fine may be transmitted to the MMS by the app used to scan it. In step 310, the MMS may retrieve the work contract related to the move that was generated as described in step 204 above.

In step 312, a fine dismissal request may be generated by the MMS and may include the work contract as an attachment. The fine dismissal request may be generated to conform to local traffic bylaws and formats. In step 314, the fine dismissal request may be transmitted such as by the 3^rd party interface 128 to the relevant traffic authority 140. In step 316, a follow up activity may be scheduled to remind an operator to determine whether the fine has been cancelled.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example graphical user interface 400 for presenting a tracked item view according to an example implementation. For example, app 160 may generate GUI 400 for display on customer device 110 in response to the customer selecting a “watch my item” view 412. Item view 412 shows a view of a van interior 414 such as captured by a camera 152 inside a van 112. To generate GUI 400, the app 160 may send a query to MMS 120 requesting a specific video feed from the van transporting the item associated with the app of the user requesting the video. MMS 120 may then provide the video feed for display or may provide data such that the app may retrieve the video feed from the van directly.

Transported items 416 (here shown as 416A and 416B) may be visible in the view 412. Item 416A may be highlighted with a marker 418 that indicates which of the items 416 visible in view 412 may be the item of the customer who has selected view 412. Although the view 412 shown may be of the van interior, other cameras 152 capturing other internal, external, or surrounding views of van 112 may be used to provide view 412. In some implementations, all views from cameras 152 that include the item will be shown in view 412.

It should be appreciated that view 412 enables a customer to view a transported item belonging to the customer while it is in proximity to the van 112 and visible to the cameras of van 112. One aim of this feature may be to provide piece of mind to the customer that may be able to watch the item in transit until the item reaches its destination.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example method 500 of displaying a camera view of an item moved by a moving service, in accordance with implementations described herein. This method 500 may for example be performed by MMS 120 in communication with a van 112 and a customer device 110 running a customer app 160. In the example method, a customer has requested moving services for one or more SMI (a single item will be referred to here for convenience, but it should be appreciated that the method can be applied to multiple items). The item has been collected by a driver and optionally an assistant and may be in transit to the requested item destination. In step 502, a customer may request to view the item in transit using the customer app. The view request may be transmitted to the MMS. In step 504, the MMS determines which van is transporting the item. The transporting van is known to the MMS as the van was dispatched by the MMS to collect the item and the item collection was confirmed by the driver of the collecting van.

In step 506, the MMS analyses the camera feeds from the van to detect the item in one or more of the views from the cameras in the van. In some implementations, the analysis may be performed using machine vision techniques to detect an identifying label of the item such as but not limited to a barcode sticker on the item or the packaging of the item. In step 508, the MMS determines whether the item is visible or not. When the item is not detected/visible in one of the views then in step 510 the MMS transmits this determination to the customer app which then displays an “item not visible” message on the GUI of the app.

When the item is detected in one or more of the views from the cameras, then, in step 512, the relevant views of the live video from the van may be augmented with a marker indicating the item and are transmitted to the customer app by the MMS. In step 514, the customer app may display the relevant camera view/s including the marked item.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example method 600 of setting up a system for providing moving services in accordance with implementations described herein. This method 600 may for example be performed by MMS 120 in communication with a van 112 and a customer device 110 running a customer app 160. In the example method, a moving services operator sets up a moving service such as provided by system 100 for an initial usage. Alternatively, steps of the method 600 may be performed following initialization of system 100. Setting up of MMS may be performed using a GUI of MMS (not shown).

In step 602, MMS parameters may be defined. Non-limiting examples of MMS parameters include: one or more geographic areas covered by the moving services provided using the MMS; time window defining the window for pickup/drop-off relative to the commitment to the customer or the requested pickup/drop-off time, efficiency constraints such as but not limited to target number of vehicle stops (pickup or drop-off) per hour time target for providing moving services following an order; and SMI size and/or weight definitions - such as used for determining whether an assistant may be required and/or whether an item will fit inside a particular van.

In step 604, vans to be used as part of the moving services may be linked to the MMS. Linking of the vans includes installation of the van management components 150 into the van, then activating controller 158. In the MMS, the communication number associated with comms device 156 may be entered into the MMS. The MMS may then initiate communication with the van controller and may be then linked to the van. In some implementations, step 604 may include defining the characteristics of the van, such as but not limited to: the van storage capacity, number of cameras, positions of cameras, registration number, maintenance data, and so forth.

In step 606, driver devices to be used as part of the moving services may be linked to the MMS. Linking of the driver devices may include installation of the driver app on the driver device, then activating the app. In the MMS, the communication number associated with driver device may be entered into the MMS. The MMS may then initiate communication with the driver app and may be then linked to the driver app. Alternatively, the driver app may include a setup process for entering a unique code associated with the MMS. The driver app may then initiate communication to the MMS and may be then linked to the MMS. In some implementations, step 606 may include defining the characteristics of a driver using the driver device, such as but not limited to: driver name, driver photo, driving license data, work hours/days and so forth.

In step 608, assistant devices to be used as part of the moving services may be linked to the MMS. Linking of the assistant devices may include installation of the assistant app on the assistant device, then activating the app. In the MMS, the communication number associated with assistant device may be entered into the MMS. The MMS may then initiate communication with the assistant app and may be then linked to the assistant app. Alternatively, the assistant app may include a setup process for entering a unique code associated with the MMS. The assistant app may then initiate communication to the MMS and may be then linked to the MMS. In some implementations, step 606 may include defining the characteristics of an assistant using the assistant device, such as but not limited to: name, photo, driving license data, work hours/days, means of transport and so forth.

As above, steps 604, 606, and 608 may be performed as part of the initialization of system 100 or may be performed individually at any stage following initialization of system 100, for example when additional vans, drivers, or assistants are added to system 100. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

As used herein the terms “machine learning” or “artificial intelligence” refer to use of algorithms on a computing device that parse data, learn from the data, and then make a determination or generate data, where the determination or generated data is not deterministically replicable (such as with deterministically oriented software as known in the art). Machine vision is a term used to describe visual analysis methods provided using machine learning processes.

Implementation of the method and system of the present disclosure may involve performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present disclosure, several selected steps may be implemented by hardware (HW) or by software (SW) on any operating system of any firmware, or by a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the disclosure could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software or algorithm, selected steps of the disclosure could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the disclosure could be described as being performed by a processor, such as a computing device for executing a plurality of instructions where the instructions are contained in a non-transitory computer readable medium.

As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

Although the present disclosure is described with regard to a “computing device”, a "computer", or “mobile device”, it should be noted that optionally any device featuring a data processor and the ability to execute one or more instructions may be described as a computing device, including but not limited to any type of personal computer (PC), a server, a distributed server, a virtual server, a cloud computing platform, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone, a smartphone, a smart watch or a PDA (personal digital assistant). Any two or more of such devices in communication with each other may optionally define a "network" or a "computer network" .

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a display device (a LED (light-emitting diode), or OLED (organic LED), or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor/screen) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

It should be appreciated that the above-described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting, or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment or implementation are necessary in every embodiment or implementation of the invention. Further combinations of the above features and implementations are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments or implementations of the invention.

While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the implementations. It should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein can include various combinations and/or sub -combinations of the functions, components and/or features of the different implementations described.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for providing moving services of an item based on a received order comprising: a) determining by a moving management system (MMS) based on the order whether the item can be handled by a driver alone, wherein the driver travels alone in a vehicle for moving; and b) when it is determined that the driver cannot move the item alone, dispatching an assistant to assist the driver with handling of the item, wherein the assistant does not travel with the driver.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether the item can be handled by a driver alone is based on machine vision analysis of photos of the item provided as part of the order.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the analysis determines that assistance is required as the item is one or more of too big, too heavy, requires extensive packaging and/or when there are multiple items that would take the driver too long to handle alone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the MMS manages a plurality of vehicles, drivers, and assistants and wherein the MMS distributes a plurality of received orders between the vehicles, drivers and, where required, assistants.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the MMS determines the vehicle to be used based on the available capacity in the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the available capacity of the vehicle is determined by machine vision analysis of an image from one or more cameras that are covering the load area of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the images from the cameras may be viewed on an app or website.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving views associated with the van from one or more of the cameras; analyzing by the MMS of the camera views to detect an item associated with an order; and displaying on a GUI of a customer device the camera views that include the item.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of an assistant is based on one or more of a proximity of assistants to a pickup location, a proximity of a pickup location to other pickup locations for other items, a prior allocation of an assistant to other pickup locations or destination locations, a destination location relative to future pickup locations, an expertise of an assistant for handling specific types of items, and a type and/or size of an item.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the MMS generates a work contract related to the move of the item.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising, when a parking fine is issued to a vehicle involved in the move, scanning the parking fine, transmitting the scanned fine to the MMS; retrieving by the MMS of the related work contract; and transmitting by the MMS of a request to cancel the parking fine accompanied by the related work contract.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the MMS by one or more of defining MMS parameters; linking vehicles to the MMS; linking driver devices to the MMS; and linking assistant devices to the MMS.

13. A system for providing moving services of an item based on a received order comprising a moving management system (MMS) configured for determining based on the order whether the item can be handled by a driver alone, and when it is determined that the driver cannot move the item alone, dispatching an assistant to assist the driver with handling of the item, wherein the driver travels alone in a vehicle for moving and wherein the assistant does not travel with the driver.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the determining whether the item can be handled by a driver alone is based on machine vision analysis of photos of the item provided as part of the order.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the analysis determines that assistance is required as the item is one or more of too big, too heavy, requires extensive packaging and/or when there are multiple items that would take the driver too long to handle alone.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the MMS is configured to manage a plurality of vehicles, drivers, and assistants and wherein the MMS is further configured to distribute a plurality of received orders between the vehicles, drivers and, where required, assistants.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the MMS is configured to determine the vehicle to be used based on the available capacity in the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the MMS is configured to determine the available capacity of a vehicle by machine vision analysis of an image from one or more cameras that are covering the load area of the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising an app or website, and wherein the image from the one or more cameras may be viewed on the app or website.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the MMS is further configured for: receiving views associated with the van from one or more of the cameras; for analyzing of the camera views using machine vision to detect an item associated with an order; and for displaying on a GUI of a customer device the camera views that include the item.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the selection of an assistant is based on one or more of a proximity of assistants to a pickup location, a proximity of a pickup location to other pickup locations for other items, a prior allocation of an assistant to other pickup locations or destination locations, a destination location relative to future pickup locations, an expertise of an assistant for handling specific types of items, and a type and/or size of an item.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the MMS is further configured to generate a work contract related to the move of the item.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the MMS is further configured when a parking fine is issued to a vehicle involved in the move, to receive a scan of the fine, to retrieve the related work contract, and to transmit a request to cancel the parking fine accompanied by the related work contract.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the MMS is configured to be configured by one or more of defining MMS parameters, linking vehicles to the MMS, linking driver devices to the MMS, and/or linking assistant devices to the MMS.