Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing a transportation plan for a transportation network are described. In an example, a computer system determines a forecasted demand for transporting items between a source node and a destination node of a transportation network and a set of constraints associated with a handling node of the transportation network. The computer system generates a transportation plan that comprises a network path including the handling node and a type of item handling at the handling node. In a first stage of optimization, an optimization model of the computer system selects the network path from network paths. In a second stage of optimization, the optimization model selects the type of item handling from types of item handling available at the handling node. The optimization model uses the network paths and the types of item handling as variables.

Abstract: In a distributed ledger (DLT) network, a transaction, related to movement of a monitored entity from a first party's location to a second party's location, is monitored. The transaction is associated with a respective real-time status and with at least a first predetermined milestone. Sensor outputs from an IoT enabled sensor that is operably coupled to the monitored entity, are received while the monitored entity is located remotely from the first and second parties during its movement from the first location to the second location. Updates to a real-time status of the monitored entity, relating to progress towards a milestone, are determined based on the received sensor outputs. The transaction is updated, in real time, on the DLT network when the milestone is reached. Information is communicated relating to the update of the transaction and the first predetermined milestone, in real-time, to the first party and the second party.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an unmanned delivery management device. The unmanned delivery management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a travel route manager, a delivery information manager, an obstacle analyzer, and a UAV control manager. Wherein the travel route manager is configured to confirm delivery mission information provided by a user terminal, to set a waypoint based on the delivery mission information, to set a travel route including a waypoint for a takeoff segment, a landing segment and a flight segment, and to correct the travel route according to a travel condition of a UAV.

Abstract: A parking control device performs parking control such that a vehicle is parked in a reserved parking area in an automatic valet parking lot including a plurality of parking areas. When the vehicle arrives at the automatic valet parking lot before an entrance time for the reserved parking area, the parking control device determines whether the reserved parking area is available. When it is determined that the reserved parking area is not available, the parking control device determines whether a temporary parking area which is an area other than the reserved parking area is available. When it is determined that the temporary parking area is available, the parking control device performs parking control such that the vehicle is parked in the temporary parking area.

Abstract: A parking control device performs parking control such that a vehicle is parked in a reserved parking area in an automatic valet parking lot including a plurality of parking areas. When the vehicle arrives at the automatic valet parking lot before an entrance time for the reserved parking area, the parking control device determines whether the reserved parking area is available. When it is determined that the reserved parking area is not available, the parking control device determines whether a temporary parking area which is an area other than the reserved parking area is available. When it is determined that the temporary parking area is available, the parking control device performs parking control such that the vehicle is parked in the temporary parking area.

Abstract: A pollution management method is provided. The method comprises determining a target relating to a level of pollution in an area associated with one or more parking spaces; monitoring a level of pollution in the area; adjusting a parking policy of the one or more parking spaces based on a comparison between the target and the level of pollution, in order to incentivise or disincentivise parking in the area; monitoring vehicles parking in the area; and re-adjusting the parking policy according to the vehicles parking in the area in order to adjust the incentivise or disincentivise to parking in the area and thereby achieve the target relating to the level of pollution in the area.

Abstract: An electronic toll collection system (ETCS) terminal may include a communication interface connected to a vehicle network of a vehicle, a card socket configured to accommodate insertion of a payment card, a card integrated circuit (IC) chip configured to store card information of an issued card, and a controller configured to activate, based on a user input received via the communication interface, at least one of the card IC chip or the card socket.

Abstract: Aspects described herein may provide determination of a pedestrian route for a user to reach a seating area inside of a venue. Financial transaction data of the user may be reviewed to determine the user purchased one or more tickets to an event at the venue. Information regarding the event or the venue may be determined including seating charts for the venue and whether the tickets are for assigned or unassigned seats. Crowd densities inside and outside of the venue may be determined. The pedestrian route may be determined based on the crowd densities, number of tickets, and type of seating. The route may be updated as conditions change including any change to the crowd densities or change to seating availability. The route may increase a likelihood that the user reaches the seating area prior to a start of the event, and in a less stressful manner.

Abstract: A server according to the present disclosure determines a vehicle dispatch schedule of a vehicle for delivery of a rental article to a user and/or for collection of a rental article rented out to a user from the user. The server includes a communication interface for acquiring, from a terminal apparatus used by the user, first information regarding the rental article, and at least one of second information regarding a rental date/time and a rental location and third information regarding a return date/time and a return location; and a controller for determining, according to the second information, a vehicle dispatch schedule for delivering the rental article indicated by the first information to the user by the vehicle, and/or for determining, according to the third information, a vehicle dispatch schedule for collecting the rental article rented out to the user from the user by the vehicle.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for enhanced geographical caching of estimated arrival times. A method may include receiving respective user inputs indicative of respective users being in transit to a destination location from within a geographic region; determining, for the first user and the second user, a first estimated time of arrival from a first geographical area to the destination location, the first geographical area including the first location and the second location; identifying a third location of the first device at a third time, wherein the third location is within the first geographical area; determining that a time-to-live (TTL) of the first estimated time of arrival has not expired at the third time; and refraining from recalculating the first estimated time of arrival.

Abstract: A dual mode method of assessing a toll fee by collecting i) sensor data of a vehicle as it travels on a lane and determining a first axle count based on said sensor data; and 2) collecting video images of said vehicle and determining a second axle count based on said video images. The video images are analyzed using computer vision and machine learning to determine the second axle count, and the first and second axles count compared and if identical the vehicle is charged based on the axle count. However, the video images are re-analyzed if the first and second axle counts are not identical and this is repeated until identity is obtained. The system learns from its errors, and the axle count improves with time. If identity is not reached, the transaction record can be flagged for human intervention, but tests show at least 100 fold reduction in errors, thus obviating thousands of interventions per day. Ultimately, monthly summaries of charges are compiled and sent to the customer.

Abstract: A method for managing a delivery item in the absence of a recipient invention includes the operations in which a delivery item management system determines whether or not an unloading request has been made by a client terminal with respect to a delivery robot which has arrived at a place of delivery; and the delivery item management system enables the delivery robot to automatically unload a delivery item at the place of delivery, on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein for facilitating in-garage delivery. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for facilitating in-garage delivery including a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions; communication circuitry configured to receive image data representative of an interior of a garage captured by an imaging device; and a processor operably coupled to the memory and the communication circuitry, the processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to: process the image data to determine a characteristic of the interior of the garage; select a packaging for an item to be delivered to the garage based at least in part on the characteristic of the interior of the garage; and effect delivery to the garage of the item with the selected packaging.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide an adaptive marketplace in which customers can place a request for a service and vendors have an opportunity to make an offer to provide the service on behalf of the customer for a particular price. The service request and vendor management is handled by a systems engine. An apparatus is arranged to receive a customer request and identify at least one vendor suitable for satisfying the customer request. The system is arranged to determine a vendor compatibility score, which is dependent on the compatibility of the vendor to the customer request. An estimate is made of the probability of the vendor being selected to provide the customer request. The customer request, customer preferred reference price and the probability of the vendor being selected are provided to the vendor.

Abstract: A parking control device performs parking control such that a vehicle is parked in a reserved parking area in an automatic valet parking lot including a plurality of parking areas. When the vehicle arrives at the automatic valet parking lot before an entrance time for the reserved parking area, the parking control device determines whether the reserved parking area is available. When it is determined that the reserved parking area is not available, the parking control device determines whether a temporary parking area which is an area other than the reserved parking area is available. When it is determined that the temporary parking area is available, the parking control device performs parking control such that the vehicle is parked in the temporary parking area.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus manages a vehicle used for a car-sharing service. The information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to acquire, from a user, as application information for using the vehicle, one of application information for reservation use for making a reservation in advance and application information for on-demand use for accepting use of a vehicle stopped at an on-demand stand-by station. The same vehicle can be used for both the reservation use and the on-demand use.

Abstract: A system for collecting a toll owed by a rental vehicle traveling along a toll road includes network interface hardware. a memory module, and a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface hardware and the memory module. Wherein the memory module stores logic that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a rental start notification from the network interface hardware; and automatically execute toll payment logic stored on the memory module in response to receipt of the rental start notification. The toll payment logic causes the processor to detect and toll payment event throughout a rental period.

Abstract: A method for managing vehicles comprises: detecting motion of an object at a first location associated with a geographic area using a motion sensor, the geographic area including one or more parking locations; responsive to detecting the motion of the object at the first location, capturing, using one or more cameras, image data associated with the first location; using one or more edge processors located within a threshold proximity of the geographic area to access a machine learning computer vision model. The one or more edge processors are configured to execute instructions locally to the first location to perform operations comprising: obtaining, at the computer vision model, the image data associated with the object; determining, by the computer vision model, that the object is a vehicle; identifying, by the computer vision model, one or more vehicle specific parameters associated with the vehicle; and determine the one or more vehicle specific parameters that identify the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coordinating an Unmanned Vehicle (UV) to perform authenticated delivery of goods. A method for coordinating a delivery may include instructing, via a communication network, a user device to collect user preferences on delivery logistics. The method may also include receiving the user preferences from the user device. The method may also include receiving user financial data from a financial service provider server. The method may also include receiving real-time information comprising location information of a UV and a user device. The method may also include authorizing the delivery of the package if an authentication process is satisfied based on the user preferences, the user financial data, and the real-time information. The method may also include transmitting to the UV a command to complete the delivery, if the delivery is authorized. The method may also include transmitting to the UV an abort command, if the delivery is not authorized.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to use of supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, or reinforcement-based machine learning algorithm(s) to perform pattern recognition and/or cluster detection on historical transactional data in order to predict events that may occur in the future and are candidates for automated delivery of items from a source to a customer in a contactless manner, via a secure delivery device, to minimize health risk(s) to the customer. The items may be securely delivered in an automated manner such as, for example, by use of a drone or autonomous vehicle, which may have advanced sensors to facilitate various aspects of the delivery. The items may be contained in a secure carrier coupled to the delivery device and may be unlocked locally or remotely using mechanical or digital means. Novel logical systems, architectures, machines, platforms, delivery devices and components thereof, and methods are disclosed.