Loading dock authorization-remote control

• US 10,053,904 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2013
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
• Inventors: McNeill, Matthew C., Nelson, Kyle E., Horton, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US13/966,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20140075842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• Field of Search: 340 51, 340 52, 340 551, 340 552, 340 553, 340 554, 340 555, 340 57
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 9/02 for only lifting or supporting
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/005 the means engaging at least one wheel of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/2882 operated by detectors or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group

Abstract

A system and method for remotely controlling loading dock components is disclosed that includes a distribution center having at least one dock station for exchanging materials and a dock component configured to in at least two operational states. An actuator is included that is configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal. A mobile remote control is configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component and at least one predefined non-activation zone is included such that changing of operational state of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone.

Claims

1. A distribution center authorization apparatus for use in a distribution center having at least one dock for exchanging materials with a respective trailer comprising:

a remote control configured to receive an authorization input and generate an associated activation signal, wherein the authorization input is at least one of a mobile equipment authorization and a user identification input;

at least one dock component located at the dock and configured to actuate in response to the associated activation signal; and

a central hub separate from the remote control and programmed to monitor and track the progress of the remote control through a workflow protocol.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile equipment authorization is a forklift.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user identification input utilizes at least one of a login, a password, and a pass-card.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remote control is inhibited from generating an activation signal when a user identification input identifies a user as not having necessary training.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remote control is a mobile remote control.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the mobile remote control is one of a personal wearable device (PWD), personal digital assistant (PDA), and a laptop computer system.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the mobile remote control is configured to be mounted on the mobile equipment authorization.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the mobile remote control is configured to track its present location and determine whether the mobile remote control is located in an activation zone.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the mobile remote control only generates an activation signal when the mobile remote control determines the mobile remote control is located in the activation zone.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dock component is at least one of vehicle restraint, dock door, and dock leveler.

11. A workflow authorization system for use in a distribution center having at least one dock with at least one docking component to exchange materials with a respective trailer, the workflow authorization system comprising:

a controller configured to receive an authorization and generate an activation signal;

a central processing center programmed with a docking operation workflow procedure and configured to monitor and track a position of the controller; and

an actuator configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to the controller position and the activation signal.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the authorization is at least one of an vehicle authorization and a user identification.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the vehicle authorization is an identification of a specific fork truck.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the user identification utilizes at least one of a user login, a user password, and a user pass-card.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein a user is authorized to use the controller if the user identification indicates the user is properly trained for given equipment according to the docking operation workflow procedure.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the dock component is one of a trailer restraint, dock door, and dock leveler.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller is a mobile remote control.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the mobile remote control is one of a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal wearable device (PWD), and a portable computer.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the central processing center is configured to determine the position of the mobile remote control relative to an activation zone about the at least one dock.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the activation signal is inhibited from changing the operational state of the dock component if the mobile remote control is located outside the activation zone.

21. The system of claim 11 wherein the central processing center restricts docking operation workflow procedure until a previous step of the docking operation workflow procedure is completed.