Abstract: A processor device has a CPU cooperating with an input device and an output device, under control of stored instructions, and is arranged to receive service requests at the input device, assign service requests received in successive time periods to respective batches of requests; access stored service provider data to identify available service providers from among a pool of service providers; after completing the assignment of service requests to a batch, perform a matching process to endeavour to match each service request of the batch of requests to a service provider; and for each service provider to whom a match is made, output a notification of the respective potential match from the output device.

Abstract: A communications server apparatus and method for forecasting demand for services is provided, the server managing the provision of services based on received queries. Data records comprising data instances of service queries within a past time period are received. Modified data records are derived by modifying a value of a feature of one or more of the data instances to a standardized value. The feature is a parameter relating to an offer, by the server, to provide a service in response to a query. The data instances of the modified data records are input into a classification model, wherein the classification model predicts whether or not a service booking will be made. Classification predictions are output by the classification model and an estimate of potential demand for the past time period is determined based on the classification predictions, for improved forecasting of demand for services.

Abstract: A processor device has a CPU cooperating with an input device and an output device, under control of stored instructions, and is arranged to receive service requests at the input device, assign service requests received in successive time periods to respective batches of requests; access stored service provider data to identify available service providers from among a pool of service providers; after completing the assignment of service requests to a batch, perform a matching process to endeavour to match each service request of the batch of requests to a service provider; and for each service provider to whom a match is made, output a notification of the respective potential match from the output device.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate generally to methods, systems, and devices for managing service providers and service requests. The method includes, for each identified geographical area, deriving a service request forecast and service provider forecast for a particular upcoming time period. The method includes, for each identified geographical area, determining whether the geographical area will be in an over-supply state during the particular upcoming time period. The method includes, for each identified geographical area determined to be in the over-supply state during the particular upcoming time period: determining a quantity M of available service providers; selecting at least M available service providers in the geographical area; and providing a notification to only the selected available service providers. Each notification may include a message to move out of the geographical area and into a particular location in another geographical area.

Abstract: A method for multiple-round driver selection performed by a computing system, the method including receiving a service request from a user device; identifying a plurality of driver candidates based in part on the service request, such that each of the plurality of driver candidates has driver data; for each of the plurality of driver candidates, generating a score based on the driver data; grouping the plurality of driver candidates into a plurality of candidate groups based in part on the score of each of the plurality of driver candidates; iteratively transmitting a job request to each candidate group of the plurality of candidate groups until one or more job acceptance is received in response to the job request, such that the job request is transmitted to all drivers in each candidate group; selecting one of the one or more job acceptances; and assigning the service request to the driver associated with the selected one of the one or more job acceptances.

Abstract: A processor device has a CPU cooperating with an input device and an output device, under control of stored instructions, and is arranged to receive service requests at the input device, assign service requests received in successive time periods to respective batches of requests; access stored service provider data to identify available service providers from among a pool of service providers; after completing the assignment of service requests to a batch, perform a matching process to endeavour to match each service request of the batch of requests to a service provider; and for each service provider to whom a match is made, output a notification of the respective potential match from the output device.

Abstract: A method for multiple-round driver selection performed by a computing system, the method including receiving a service request from a user device; identifying a plurality of driver candidates based in part on the service request, such that each of the plurality of driver candidates has driver data; for each of the plurality of driver candidates, generating a score based on the driver data; grouping the plurality of driver candidates into a plurality of candidate groups based in part on the score of each of the plurality of driver candidates; iteratively transmitting a job request to each candidate group of the plurality of candidate groups until one or more job acceptance is received in response to the job request, such that the job request is transmitted to all drivers in each candidate group; selecting one of the one or more job acceptances; and assigning the service request to the driver associated with the selected one of the one or more job acceptances.

Abstract: An apparatus to monitor one or more utility meters includes a communication unit with a processor, a communication interface coupled to the processor, and a probe interface coupled to the processor. A meter monitoring probe that includes a probe head is coupled by a cable to a probe connector capable to mate with the probe interface. The probe head includes an image sensor, an indicator, and a button. The probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a utility metered, and send information related to the characteristic to the processor. The processor is capable to receive the information from the probe head and send a message related to the usage of the utility over the communication interface, and the image sensor is capable to capture an image in response to a press of the button.

Abstract: A characteristic of a first utility meter is detected with a first probe head, and a characteristic of a second utility meter is detected with a second probe head. The characteristic of the first utility meter is dependent on a usage of a first utility metered by the first utility meter, and the characteristic of the second utility meter is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered by the second utility meter. Information related to the characteristic of the first utility meter is communicated from the first probe head to a communication unit, and information related to the characteristic of the second utility meter is communicated from the second probe head to the communication unit. A message is also sent from the communication unit indicating the usage of the first utility or the usage of the second utility.

Abstract: An apparatus to monitor one or more utility meters includes a communication unit with a processor, a communication interface coupled to the processor, and a probe interface coupled to the processor. A meter monitoring probe that includes a probe head is coupled by a cable to a probe connector capable to mate with the probe interface. The probe head includes an image sensor, an indicator, and a button. The probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a utility metered, and send information related to the characteristic to the processor. The processor is capable to receive the information from the probe head and send a message related to the usage of the utility over the communication interface, and the image sensor is capable to capture an image in response to a press of the button.

Abstract: A characteristic of a first utility meter is detected with a first probe head, and a characteristic of a second utility meter is detected with a second probe head. The characteristic of the first utility meter is dependent on a usage of a first utility metered by the first utility meter, and the characteristic of the second utility meter is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered by the second utility meter. Information related to the characteristic of the first utility meter is communicated from the first probe head to a communication unit, and information related to the characteristic of the second utility meter is communicated from the second probe head to the communication unit. A message is also sent from the communication unit indicating the usage of the first utility or the usage of the second utility.

Abstract: A computer-based method to schedule utility consumers includes creating a first generation of vectors using a processor. A vector is made up of a set of operation periods within a time period for consumers of a utility. The method also includes producing, using a processor, one or more successive generations of vectors from the first generation of vectors to create a descendant generation of vectors, and selecting a vector of the descendant generation of vectors based on a fitness function. Then operation periods from the vector of the descendant generation of vectors are provided over a computer communication medium to control operation of the consumers of the utility.