Information Transmission and Processing Systems and Methods For Freight Carriers

• US 20090045924A1
• Filed: 07/23/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Inventors: Crandall, Steve, Deck, Chris, Roberts, Ralph L. SR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,179,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.410
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

Methods and systems for remotely monitoring trailer or trailers attached to a vehicle is provided. The method includes associating an identification tag or ABS ECU that is configured to broadcast a trailer identification signal with a trailer. The method further includes receiving the trailer identification signal on-board the vehicle, associating the trailer identification signal with the vehicle, transmitting the trailer identification signal to a remote processor and receiving the trailer identification signal at the remote processor. The system comprises a mobile data terminal capable of generating and responding to telematic events comprising at least one processor, a graphical user interface, an input device, a memory and a set of executable instructions which may include a plurality of modules, such as a vehicle location module capable of receiving a GPS signal and transmitting the GPS signal to a remote processor for determining a location of a transportation unit.

Claims

1. A method of remotely monitoring at least one trailer attached to a vehicle comprising:

associating an identification tag with the trailer, wherein the identification tag is configured to broadcast a trailer identification signal;

receiving the trailer identification signal on-board the vehicle;

associating the trailer identification signal with the vehicle;

transmitting the trailer identification signal to a remote processor; and

receiving the trailer identification signal at the remote processor.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises transmitting a trailer location to the remote processor.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of receiving the trailer identification signal, associating the identification signal with the vehicle and transmitting the trailer identification signal to a remote processor are performed by a mobile data terminal device positioned within the vehicle.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

a wired communication link electrically couples the identification tag to the mobile data terminal device; and

the trailer identification signal is broadcasted to the mobile transmission device through the wired communication link by way of parallel or serial communication.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the identification tag is configured as a programmable power line communication tag attached to the trailer that communicates with the mobile transmission device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the identification tag is configured to wirelessly broadcast at least the trailer identification signal to the mobile data terminal device.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the identification tag communicates directly with the mobile data terminal device.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the identification tag communicates indirectly with the mobile data terminal device via a vehicle communication bus.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the communication bus comprises at least one of a J2497 PLC4Trucks Bus, J1708 bus and J1939 bus.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the identification tag is configured as an RFID tag attached to the trailer that communicates with the mobile data terminal device.

11. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wired communication link comprises at least one of a J2497 PLC4Trucks Bus, J1708 bus and J1939 bus.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises:

generating a hook event at an initial communication between the mobile data terminal device and the identification tag; and

transmitting trailer information data to the remote processor upon the hook event.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein trailer information comprises a current trailer mileage, a current trailer location, a hook date and a hook time.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the identification tag comprises a programmable power line communication tag.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises polling the identification tag for a hooked or unhooked status signal.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein upon generating a hook event, the method further comprises determining whether the at least one trailer is hooked to a correct vehicle.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein upon receiving a hooked status signal, the method further comprises:

capturing trailer information comprising at least one of a starting trailer mileage, a starting trailer location, a date and a time; and

transmitting the trailer information to the remote processor.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein upon receiving an unhooked status signal the method further comprises:

requesting current trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the current trailer information comprises at least one of a current trailer mileage, a current trailer location, a date and a time.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising:

obtaining previously recorded trailer information that is associated with the trailer identification signal;

updating a virtual odometer of the trailer associated with the trailer identification signal by comparing the current trailer information with the previously recorded trailer information; and

generating virtual odometer data based at least in part on the virtual odometer.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the requesting current trailer information from the vehicle, obtaining previously recorded trailer information, and updating a virtual odometer of the trailer steps are performed by the mobile data terminal device, and the mobile data terminal device wirelessly transmits the virtual odometer data to the remote processor.

21. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein:

the mobile data terminal device obtains the trailer identification signal and trailer information;

the mobile data terminal device wirelessly transmits the trailer identification signal and the trailer information to the remote processor; and

the remote processor obtains the previously recorded trailer information and updates the virtual odometer of the trailer.

22. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises requesting periodic trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the trailer information comprises at least one of a trailer mileage, a trailer location, a date and a time.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the mobile data terminal device requests the periodic trailer information from the vehicle.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the method further comprises transmitting the trailer information to a remote processor.

25. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein:

upon receiving a hooked status signal, the method further comprises capturing a first vehicle odometer reading; and

upon receiving an unhooked status signal, the method further comprises;

capturing a second vehicle odometer reading;

calculating a trailer mileage from the first and second vehicle odometer readings; and

transmitting the trailer mileage to the remote processor.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the method further comprises updating a trailer odometer with the trailer mileage.

27. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises:

requesting the trailer identification signal and trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the trailer information comprises at least one of a trailer mileage, a trailer location, a date and a time;

receiving the trailer identification signal and the trailer information; and

generating an event based at least in part on the trailer identification signal and the trailer information.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the steps of requesting the trailer identification signal and trailer information from the vehicle, receiving the trailer identification signal and the trailer information and generating an event are performed by the mobile data terminal.

29. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the method further comprises:

requesting the trailer identification signal and trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the trailer information comprises at least one of a trailer mileage, a trailer location, a date and a time;

transmitting the trailer identification signal and the trailer information from the vehicle to the remote processor;

receiving the trailer identification signal and the trailer information at the remote processor; and

generating an event based at least in part on the trailer identification signal and the trailer information.

30. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting a vehicle identification signal and a vehicle information from the vehicle to the remote processor;

receiving the vehicle identification signal and the vehicle information at the remote processor; and

generating an event based at least in part on the vehicle identification signal and the vehicle information.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the event comprises sending a rerouting dispatch signal from the remote processor to the vehicle.

32. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the event comprises generating a manifest when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a terminal.

33. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein the event comprises electronically sending an estimated time of arrival to a customer when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a customer.

34. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the method further comprises:

requesting the trailer identification signal and trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the trailer information comprises at least one of a trailer mileage, a trailer location, a date and a time;

transmitting the trailer identification signal and the trailer information from the vehicle to the remote processor;

receiving the trailer identification signal and the trailer information at the remote processor; and

calculating a trailer idle time based at least in part on the time identification signal and the trailer information.

35. A method of remotely monitoring at least one trailer attached to a vehicle comprising:

establishing a communication with an ABS electronic control unit located on the at least one trailer;

receiving a ABS identification number from the ABS electronic control unit.

associating the ABS identification number with the at least one trailer;

transmitting the ABS identification number to a remote processor; and

receiving the ABS identification number at the remote processor.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the method further comprises requesting the ABS identification number from the ABS electronic control unit.

37. The method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the steps of establishing a communication with an ABS electronic control unit located on the at least one trailer, receiving the ABS identification number from the ABS electronic control unit, associating the ABS identification number with the at least one trailer, and transmitting the ABS identification number to a remote processor are performed by a mobile data terminal device positioned within the vehicle.

38. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the method further comprises programming the ABS identification number from an ABS electronic control unit such that the ABS identification number matches a trailer identification number.

39. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the method further comprises cross-referencing the ABS identification number with a unit identification number.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein the step of cross-referencing the ABS identification number with the unit identification number is performed by the mobile data terminal device.

41. The method as claimed in claim 39 wherein the step of cross-referencing the ABS identification number with the unit identification number is performed by the remote processor.

42. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the method further comprises:

generating a hook event at an initial communication between the mobile data terminal device and the ABS electronic unit; and

transmitting trailer information data to the remote processor upon the hook event.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42 wherein trailer information comprises at least one of a current trailer mileage, a current trailer location, a hook date and a hook time.

44. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the method further comprises:

monitoring a plurality of sequential ABS electronic control unit broadcast signals;

sending a communication signal to at least one of the plurality of ABS electronic control units upon a missed broadcast signal;

generating an unhook event if the at least one of the plurality of ABS electronic control units does not respond to the communication signal; and

recording at least one of a trailer ending mileage, a trailer ending location, a date and a time upon the generation of an unhook event.

45. The method as claimed in claim 44 wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting at least one of the trailer ending mileage, the trailer ending location, the date and the time to the remote processor; and

updating a virtual odometer associated with the trailer by comparing at least one of the trailer ending mileage and trailer ending location with at least one of a previously recorded starting mileage and trailer ending location.

46. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the method further comprises:

monitoring a plurality of sequential ABS electronic control unit broadcast signals;

generating an unhook event if the ABS electronic control unit does not produce a broadcast signal for a predetermined period of time; and

recording at least one of a trailer ending mileage and a trailer ending location upon the generation of an unhook event.

47. The method as claimed in claim 46 wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting the trailer ending mileage and the trailer ending location to the remote processor; and

updating a virtual odometer associated with the trailer by comparing at least one of the trailer ending mileage and trailer ending location with at least one of a previously recorded starting mileage and trailer ending location.

48. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the mobile data terminal device is configured to communicate directly with the ABS electronic control unit of the at least one trailer.

49. The method as claimed in claim 48 wherein:

the mobile data terminal device communicates directly with the ABS electronic control unit on a J2497/PLC4Trucks bus via an engine control module gateway.

50. The method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the mobile data terminal device is configured to indirectly communicate with the ABS electronic control unit of the at least one trailer via an engine control module.

51. The method as claimed in claim 50 wherein:

the mobile data terminal device is coupled to the engine control module via an engine control module interface; and

the ABS electronic control unit of the at least one trailer is coupled to the engine control module via the engine control module gateway.

52. The method as claimed in claim 51 wherein:

the mobile data terminal communicates with the engine control module via a J1708/J1939 bus; and

the ABS control unit of the at least one trailer communicates with the engine control module via a J2497/PLC4Trucks bus.

53. The method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the method further comprises:

requesting the ABS identification number and trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the trailer information comprises at least one of a trailer mileage, a trailer location, a date and a time; and

transmitting the ABS identification number and the trailer information from the vehicle to the remote processor;

receiving the ABS identification number and the trailer information at the remote processor; and

generating an event based at least in part on the ABS identification number and the trailer information.

54. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein the event comprises sending a notification from the remote processor to the vehicle.

55. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein the event comprises sending a notification from the remote processor to an enterprise asset system.

56. The method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the event comprises generating a manifest as the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a terminal.

57. The method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the event comprises electronically sending an estimated time of arrival to a customer when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a customer.

58. The method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the method further comprises:

requesting the ABS identification number and trailer information from the vehicle, and further wherein the trailer information comprises at least one of a trailer mileage, a trailer location, a date and a time; and

transmitting the ABS identification number and the trailer information from the vehicle to the remote processor;

receiving the ABS identification number and the trailer information at the remote processor; and

calculating trailer idle time based at least in part on the ABS identification number and the trailer information.

59. A method of dynamically generating telematic events in a transportation operation comprising at least one vehicle and a remote processor, the method comprising:

defining a geofence surrounding at least one point of interest;

determining whether the vehicle location is entering the geofence surrounding the at least one point of interest;

determining whether the vehicle location is within the geofence surrounding the at least one point of interest;

determining whether the vehicle location is exiting the geofence surrounding the at least one point of interest;

accessing information associated with the at least one point of interest if it is determined that the vehicle location is entering, within and/or exiting the geofence surrounding the at least one point of interest; and

generating at least one event based at least in part upon the physical location of the vehicle and the information associated with the at least one point of interest.

60. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting a vehicle location signal from the vehicle to the remote processor, wherein the vehicle location signal is associated with a physical location of the vehicle; and

receiving the vehicle location signal at the remote processor.

61. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the point of interest is a customer.

62. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the point of interest is a terminal.

63. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the point of interest is a slip-point.

64. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the point of interest is a route.

65. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the method further comprises determining a vehicle location from a global positioning system signal.

66. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the geofence is defined by a plurality of longitude and latitude coordinates that define a region.

67. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the geofence is defined by a predetermined distance from the global positioning system coordinates for the point of interest.

68. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the method further comprises dynamically updating an asset management system with at least one of the physical location of the vehicle and the associated information.

69. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the information comprises at least one of customer account information, a customer address, a customer shipping history, a customer e-mail address, a customer package information, and a customer account status.

70. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the event comprises:

composing a notification document using the accessed customer information; and

transmitting the notification to the customer.

71. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the method further comprises:

scanning a shipping document on board the vehicle, thereby creating image data representing the shipping document wherein the shipping document contains shipping details of a package;

providing an image processor which can be utilized on board the vehicle;

transmitting the image data to the remote processor; and

detecting the a shipping document type from the image.

72. The method as claimed in claim 71 wherein the method further comprises associating the customer information with the image data if it is determined that the vehicle location is within the geofence surrounding the point of interest and the point of interest is a customer.

73. The method as claimed in claim 71 wherein the method further comprises receiving information input provided by a driver of the vehicle and associating the information with the image data.

74. The method as claimed in claim 71 wherein the method comprises routing at least portions of the image data to one or more image processing utilities.

75. The method as claimed in claim 74 wherein the method further comprises routing at least portions of the image to one or more image processing utilities for use in preparing a manifest.

76. The method as claimed in claim 71 wherein the method further comprises routing at least portions of the image to one or more image processing utilities for generating a document.

77. The method as claimed in claim 76 wherein the method further comprises transmitting the document to the customer.

78. The method as claimed in claim 71 wherein the method further comprises transmitting the image data from the remote processor to a customer'"'"'s remote client

79. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the method further comprises:

updating a dispatch application that the vehicle has entered or exited the geofence surrounding the at least one point of interest.

80. The method as claimed in claim 59 wherein the method further comprises:

providing geofencing along state borders to define a plurality of individual states;

determining whether the vehicle has crossed a state border; and

updating a tax reporting application when the vehicle crosses a state border.

87. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 71 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a customer data extraction module configured to dynamically extract customer data from a datastore when the unit enters within a predetermined range associated with a particular customer.

88. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 87 wherein the customer data is used to perform at least one of:

automatically transmitting an estimated time of arrival to the remote facility;

automatically populating a billing transmittal; and

automatically transmitting a notification to the remote facility.

81. A mobile data terminal capable of generating and responding to telematic events comprising:

at least one processor;

a graphical user interface;

a user input device;

a memory; and

a set of executable instructions residing on the at least one processor comprising;

a vehicle location module capable of receiving a global positioning system signal and transmitting the global positioning system signal to a remote processor for determining a location of a transportation unit; and

a geofencing module configured to define at least one predetermined distance surrounding a location of interest and perform at least one of;

dynamically transmitting estimated time of arrival data when the unit is within the predetermined distance;

automatically announcing an arrival of a transportation unit at a point of interest when the unit is within the predetermined distance;

automatically announcing a departure when the unit is no longer within the predetermined distance; and

dynamically generating and transmitting a manifest to a remote facility when the unit is within the predetermined distance.

82. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the vehicle location module is further configured to track the location of all transportation units within a transportation enterprise.

83. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a communications module configured to wirelessly communicate electronic messages between the transportation unit and the remote processor via a selected one of a plurality of communication systems.

84. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 83 wherein the communications module is further configured to perform at least one of the following acts:

provide a driver with audible notifications;

accept an oral message spoken by the driver;

convert the oral message into an electronic message; and

transmit the electronic message to the remote processor.

85. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 83 wherein:

the plurality of communication systems comprise analogue telephone, radio frequency, cellular telephone, Wi-Fi and satellite, and wherein each individual communication system is assigned a cost value; and

the individual messages are assigned a priority value to determine which communication system the individual message is transmitted.

86. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 85 wherein the communications module is further configured to hold transmission of a message until the communication system having a lowest cost value according to the priority value is available.

89. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a dispatch module configured to monitor the location of a plurality of transportation units and dynamically route individual transportation units based at least in part on one or more point of interest locations and the location of nearest transportation unit.

90. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 89 wherein the dispatch module is further configured to providing bi-directional communication between the transportation units and the remote processor.

91. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 89 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a document input and processing module capable of capturing image data of one or more transportation documents, dynamically processing and routing the image data, storing the image data in the memory and extracting shipment data from the image data.

92. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 91 wherein the document input and processing module is further capable of:

detecting the type of document captured based on the image data; and

prompting a driver of the vehicle to enter responses into the input device based on questions relevant to the type of document captured.

93. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 92 wherein the questions comprise revenue capture questions.

94. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 92 wherein the questions comprise customer service questions.

95. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 91 wherein the document input and processing module is further capable of:

detecting a code positioned on the transportation document;

extracting information associated with the code; and

classifying a document based at least in part on the code detected.

96. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 95 wherein the code is configured as a 2D bar code positioned on the transportation document.

97. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 95 wherein the code delineates a special handling instruction.

98. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 97 wherein the special handling instruction comprises at least one of a Canadian delivery destination, a Mexican destination, a guaranteed service, a partner carrier delivery, or other additional requirements and combinations thereof.

99. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a vehicle inspection module configured to prompt a driver of a vehicle to perform an inspection of the vehicle and enter results of the inspection into the user input device, and further configured to transmit the results of the inspection to the remote processor.

100. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a performance factor module configured to monitor vehicle performance by receiving input signals from a plurality of vehicle performance sensors.

101. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises a driver compliance module configured to monitor driver compliance with rules by receiving input signals from a plurality of vehicle sensors.

102. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 81 wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system.

103. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 102 wherein the fuel management system is configured to provide fueling information to the mobile device terminal.

104. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 103 wherein the fueling information comprises at least one of fuel cost, time of fueling and amount of fuel.

105. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 102 wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit vehicle identification to the fuel management system.

106. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 102 wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit driver identification to the fuel management system.

107. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 102 wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit vehicle mileage to the fuel management system.

108. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 102 wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit engine fault codes to the fuel management system.

109. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 102 wherein the mobile data terminal and fuel management system are configured to enable bi-directional communication between each other.