eBay has been granted a patent for a navigation system that proactively re-routes vehicles to control traffic flow. The system incentivizes drivers to take alternative routes with longer travel times, reducing traffic on primary routes. The incentives are based on the number of vehicles currently traveling on the primary route. The system updates user accounts to reflect the incentives received. GlobalData’s report on eBay gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on eBay, Dynamic premium pricing was a key innovation area identified from patents. eBay's grant share as of September 2023 was 55%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Proactive re-routing vehicles to control traffic flow
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11774252B2) describes a method and system implemented by a service provider to incentivize drivers to take alternative routes based on real-time traffic conditions. The method involves determining the destination location of a vehicle using GPS data received from a computing device embedded in the vehicle or associated with an occupant. The service provider identifies multiple possible routes to the destination and selects a primary route based on travel time.
If the service provider determines that an alternative route would be more efficient, they display a user interface on the computing device with a message containing the alternative route and an incentive for the occupant to take that route. The amount of the incentive is based on the number of vehicles currently traveling along the primary route. The occupant can then request to travel along the alternative route, and their user account is updated to include the incentive.
The patent also describes a system comprising a memory and a processor to perform these operations. The computing device can be associated with a passenger in the vehicle, and the request to travel along the alternative route can be made through user input on the displayed user interface.
The user account associated with the occupant is updated by increasing a value in the account, which can be a currency or rewards points. The amount of the value is determined based on factors such as the number of vehicles on the primary route or the travel time associated with the alternative route. The system can also provide directions for the alternative route.
In addition to the method and system, the patent also includes a computer-implemented method. This method involves identifying multiple routes from the current location of a navigation-enabled device to a destination and selecting a primary route. If the device is detected to be traveling along an alternative route, a user account associated with the device is updated by increasing a value based on the number of vehicles on the primary route.
Overall, this patent presents a method and system for incentivizing drivers to take alternative routes based on real-time traffic conditions. By providing incentives through user accounts, the service provider aims to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion on primary routes.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
