System and method for operating a docking station
First Claim
1. A dock control system comprising:
- a camera for mounting on a docking station, the camera configured to obtain at least one image of a vehicle restraint system of the docking station;
a graphical user interface configured to display the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system to an operator of the docking station to verify if a vehicle has been restrained; and
a controller configured to;
automatically activate the camera once the vehicle restraint system is engaged with a vehicle;
receive the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system from the camera; and
transmit the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system to the graphical user interface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A dock control system comprising:
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a camera for mounting on a docking station, the camera configured to obtain at least one image of a vehicle restraint system of the docking station; a graphical user interface configured to display the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system to an operator of the docking station to verify if a vehicle has been restrained; and a controller configured to; automatically activate the camera once the vehicle restraint system is engaged with a vehicle; receive the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system from the camera; and transmit the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system to the graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 16)
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7. A method of operating a docking station of a distribution center comprising the steps of:
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receiving a trailer at a docking station of a distribution center; engaging a trailer restraint system to secure the trailer against removal from the docking station; upon trailer restraint system engagement, automatically activating a restraint verification system configured to require a restraint verification indication prior to permitting access to the trailer; displaying an image of a trailer restraint from the trailer restraint system for user review; sending the restraint verification indication upon user approval of the image of the trailer restraint; storing the user approved image of the trailer restraint to a workflow compliance database along with user identifying data; and upon receiving the restraint verification indication, activating an automated trailer access system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 15, 17)
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11. A distribution center workflow verification system comprising:
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a distribution center having at least one dock for exchanging materials with a mobile carrier engaged with the at least one dock; at least one mobile carrier restraint configured to secure the mobile carrier against removal from the at least one dock; a visual confirmation system including at least one camera configured to gather at least one of video and still images of the at least one carrier restraint and a display configured to display the at least one of video and still images to at least one of a dock operator and a dock manager for confirmation of automatic engagement of the at least one carrier restraint; a computer system configured to; receive the at least one of video and still images of the at least one mobile carrier restraint from the camera to determine engagement of the mobile carrier with the at least one dock and an operational state of the at least one mobile carrier restraint; automatically engage the at least one carrier restraint upon detecting an engagement of the mobile carrier with the at least one dock; restrict access to the mobile carrier until a signal indicative of visual verification of carrier restraint is received; store the at least one of video and images as a record of visual verification in response to the signal indicative of visual verification; and associate a user identifier with the stored record of visual verification for later verification. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 18)
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19. A dock control system comprising:
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a camera for mounting on a docking station, the camera configured to obtain at least one image of a vehicle restraint system of the docking station; a graphical user interface configured to display the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system to an operator of the docking station to verify if a vehicle has been restrained; and a controller configured to; receive the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system from the camera; transmit the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system to the graphical user interface; receive verification that a vehicle has been restrained from an operator of the docking station via the graphical user interface; and save the at least one image of the vehicle restraint system and identification information of the operator that sent the verification to a workflow compliance database upon receiving verification that a vehicle has been restrained. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification