Mobile asset tracking system and method
First Claim
1. A mobile asset tracking system comprising:
- a plurality of tracking units, each tracking unit being adapted for mounting to a mobile asset of a system subscriber and comprising a position location device, at least one communication device for telemetry data transmission, a battery, a processor and a firmware program for enabling communication between the position location device and the communication device and for controlling a communication interval of the communication device and a position lock interval of the position location device; and
a monitoring system comprising;
a port listener for receiving telemetry data from the tracking units, the telemetry data including the position of the mobile asset as determined by the position location device;
a database for receiving and storing telemetry data from the port listener;
a database rules engine for deriving asset and shipment cargo information from the telemetry data in the database and generating alerts based on the asset information and defined rules;
an interface program for interacting with the database rules engine and sending alerts to the system subscriber; and
a graphical user interface (GUI) which may be accessed by the system subscriber via a secure internet connection.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile asset tracking system receives telemetry information from any number of mobile assets (e.g., railcars, truck trailers, intermodal cargo containers, etc.) transporting hazardous or non-hazardous materials. Location data is obtained through GPS satellite locks and is transmitted via a cellular module to a central database for processing. Business rules in the software of the system trigger proactive alert communications to subscribers through common communication protocols such as email, SMS text, and pagers. Personal Computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA'"'"'s), cell phones or other common communication devices widely available to consumers may be utilized for receipt of alerts. Subscribers may be defined as manufacturers of materials, consignees who receive materials, transporters of materials (e.g. railroads, trucking companies, etc.) and communities such as county, state and/or federal emergency management personnel. GIS mapping software is utilized for geographical display of assets to authorized subscribers.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A mobile asset tracking system comprising:
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a plurality of tracking units, each tracking unit being adapted for mounting to a mobile asset of a system subscriber and comprising a position location device, at least one communication device for telemetry data transmission, a battery, a processor and a firmware program for enabling communication between the position location device and the communication device and for controlling a communication interval of the communication device and a position lock interval of the position location device; and a monitoring system comprising; a port listener for receiving telemetry data from the tracking units, the telemetry data including the position of the mobile asset as determined by the position location device; a database for receiving and storing telemetry data from the port listener; a database rules engine for deriving asset and shipment cargo information from the telemetry data in the database and generating alerts based on the asset information and defined rules; an interface program for interacting with the database rules engine and sending alerts to the system subscriber; and a graphical user interface (GUI) which may be accessed by the system subscriber via a secure internet connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for tracking mobile assets containing hazardous chemical cargo comprising:
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providing a series of software business rules for monitoring the characteristics of the hazardous chemical cargo; providing a graphical user interface having a series of screens for entry of hazardous chemical cargo data; and providing at least one alert triggered by application of the business rules against the hazardous chemical cargo data. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method for tracking mobile assets comprising:
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providing a series of software business rules for monitoring logistics data; providing a graphical user interface having a series of screens for entry of logistics data; and providing at least one alert triggered by application of the business rules against the logistics data. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification