Automated tracking and billing system for the application of asphalt release agents

• US 20060102759A1
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BG Chemical, LP
• Original Assignee: BG Chemical, LP
• Inventors: DeLong, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/989,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20060102759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/602
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/122 responsive to presence or shape of target B05B12/124 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/06 specially designed for treating the inside of hollow bodies spray heads B05B1/00 - B05B7/00; devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders, from inside the pipe F16L55/162; sprayed layers of rubber or plastics for internal protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation F16L58/1027
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/14 Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired places; Arrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts

Abstract

This invention provides a system and method for tracking individual use of a fluid, in particular an asphalt release agent, applied to a vehicle. A sensor detects a vehicle having a vehicle identifier and sends this information to a processor. A spray unit sprays the vehicle with the fluid while a meter measures how much fluid is dispensed. The meter sends this information to the processor which links it with the vehicle identifier information. Billing and activity information is generated and can be shared to offsite computers through a network.

Claims

1. A fluid application tracking system comprising:

a spray unit positioned so as to be able to apply a fluid to a vehicle;

a vehicle identifier associated with said vehicle;

a sensor positioned so as to be able to detect said vehicle identifier and able to transmit a vehicle information signal corresponding to said vehicle;

a meter connected to said spray unit so as to be able to determine the amount of fluid dispensed by said spray unit and able to transmit a corresponding meter output signal; and

a receiving processor connected to said sensor and said meter able to receive and associate the vehicle information signal from said sensor and the meter output signal from said meter.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said spray unit is an automatic spray unit.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a controller connected to said sensor so as to receive said vehicle information, wherein said controller directs the operation of said spray unit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said spray unit comprises an asphalt release agent.

5. The system of claim 1 comprising a computer program stored on a computer comprising said receiving processor, wherein said computer program is programmed to create and display billing information based on the vehicle information and meter output information.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said computer program generates a billing invoice from said billing information.

7. The system of claim 1 comprising a computer program stored on a computer comprising said receiving processor, wherein said computer program is programmed to create and display activity information based on the vehicle information and meter output information.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiving processor is part of an onsite computer.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising an account maintained on said onsite computer containing account information on said vehicle.

10. The system of claim 8 comprising an electronic storage device for electronically storing the data carried by the vehicle information signal and meter output signal.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a network in communication with said receiving processor.

12. The system of claim 11 comprising an offsite computer in communication with said network.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said offsite computer is operated by the vendor supplying the fluid.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said offsite computer monitors the level of fluid remaining at said spray unit and displays a notice when the spray unit should be re-supplied with said fluid.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising one or more diagnostic sensors connected to said spray unit, said diagnostic sensor able to monitor components of said spray unit and transmit a diagnostic signal to said offsite computer, wherein said offsite computer displays the status of said spray unit.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle identifier is selected from the group consisting of a bar code, a radio frequency transmitter, a password code, and a magnetic identification card.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a radio frequency receiver, a keypad, and a card swipe device.

35. A method of tracking asphalt release agent applied to a vehicle comprising the step:

providing to an asphalt plant a fluid application tracking system of claim 1 suitable for applying asphalt release agent to vehicles.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the steps:

monitoring the amount of release agent dispensed by said fluid application tracking system; and

notifying the release agent supplier when it is time to re-supply the system with release agent.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step:

providing asphalt release agent for said fluid application tracking system.

18. A method of tracking fluid applied to a vehicle comprising the steps:

providing a spray unit able to apply a fluid to a vehicle;

detecting a vehicle identifier associated with said vehicle and transmitting a corresponding vehicle information signal to a receiving processor;

spraying said fluid from said spray unit onto said vehicle;

providing a meter which determines the amount of fluid sprayed by said spray unit and transmitting a corresponding meter output signal to said receiving processor; and

generating activity information from the data carried by said vehicle information signal and meter output signal.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step:

generating billing information from the data carried by the vehicle information signal and meter output signal.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said receiving processor is part of an onsite computer.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step:

transmitting the vehicle information signal and meter output signal to a plurality of offsite computers in communication with a network comprising said receiving processor.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein one of said plurality of offsite computers is operated by a vendor supplying the fluid.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step:

assigning an electronic account to a vehicle having a vehicle identifier and inputting information on said vehicle into said account.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said activity information contains data from the information input into said account.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein said fluid is an asphalt release agent.

27. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps:

delivering to said vehicle a load of asphalt; and

generating an activity or billing report containing information on said asphalt delivered to said vehicle.

28. A method of tracking asphalt release agent applied to a vehicle comprising the steps:

providing a vehicle identifier to a vehicle that is to be sprayed by a spray unit with asphalt release agent;

providing a sensor able to detect said vehicle identifier, wherein said sensor transmits a vehicle information signal to a receiving processor;

providing a meter able to calculate the amount of said release agent dispensed by said spray unit, wherein said meter transmits a meter output signal to said receiving processor; and

generating activity information from said vehicle information signal and said meter output signal.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps:

providing a spray unit able to dispense an asphalt release agent to a vehicle, and spraying said release agent from said spray unit onto said vehicle.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising providing asphalt release agent to said spray unit.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step:

generating billing information from said vehicle information signal and said meter output signal.

32. The method of claim 28 further comprising transmitting said vehicle information signal and said meter output signal from said processor through a network to an offsite computer.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising generating activity information or billing information from said vehicle information signal and said meter output signal at said offsite computer.

34. The method of claim 32 further comprising monitoring the level of release agent remaining at said spray unit and notifying a vendor supplier when the spray unit should be re-supplied with said release agent.