METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAKING DELIVERIES OF A FLUID TO A SET OF TANKS
First Claim
1. A method for generating object identification (ID) encoded position data from a tanker truck servicing a set of fluid-holding tanks, the tanker truck being equipped with a geographical position system, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) collecting geographical position data from the tanker truck during tanker truck operation, the geographical position data being time indexed;
(b) collecting object ID data from the fluid-holding tanks, the object ID data uniquely identifying the fluid-holding tanks, wherein the step of collecting object ID data from a fluid-holding tank comprises at least one of the following steps;
(i) using an identification sensor attached to a hose that is used to deliver fuel to or from the tanker truck, to identify the object; and
(ii) scanning the object using a handheld device including an identification sensor and a wireless data link, the handheld device being configured to wirelessly transmit object ID data to a processor disposed in the tanker truck, the processor being configured to combine the object ID data with the position data; and
(c) automatically combining the object ID data, identifying the object, and the geographical position data together at the tanker truck to produce object ID encoded position data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for collecting object identification data from a plurality of objects that interact with a vehicle during operation of the vehicle, where the vehicle interacts with specific objects at specific geographical positions. An identification sensor is coupled to a geographical position sensor, and whenever an object is identified a record is generated, the record including the identification of the object, the position of the vehicle when the interaction between the object and the vehicle occurs, and the time of the interaction. Exemplary objects include passengers, containers, and documents. Exemplary interactions include loading/unloading an object from the vehicle, boarding a passenger, unloading a passenger, transferring a bulk material from the vehicle into a specific container, and/or transferring a bulk material from a specific container to the vehicle. The record may also include additional data about a parameter of the object (such as the object'"'"'s weight, volume, or temperature).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for generating object identification (ID) encoded position data from a tanker truck servicing a set of fluid-holding tanks, the tanker truck being equipped with a geographical position system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) collecting geographical position data from the tanker truck during tanker truck operation, the geographical position data being time indexed; (b) collecting object ID data from the fluid-holding tanks, the object ID data uniquely identifying the fluid-holding tanks, wherein the step of collecting object ID data from a fluid-holding tank comprises at least one of the following steps; (i) using an identification sensor attached to a hose that is used to deliver fuel to or from the tanker truck, to identify the object; and (ii) scanning the object using a handheld device including an identification sensor and a wireless data link, the handheld device being configured to wirelessly transmit object ID data to a processor disposed in the tanker truck, the processor being configured to combine the object ID data with the position data; and (c) automatically combining the object ID data, identifying the object, and the geographical position data together at the tanker truck to produce object ID encoded position data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for analyzing object identification (ID) encoded position data from a tanker truck, the system comprising:
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(a) an object identification sensor for identifying a uniquely labeled object interacting with the tanker truck during operation of the tanker truck, and in response thereto generating object ID data; and (b) a geographical position system for use in the tanker truck, the geographical position system including; (i) a position sensing component for collecting geographical position data from the tanker truck during tanker truck operation, the geographical position data being time indexed; (ii) a first data port for receiving object ID data from the object identification sensor during operation of the tanker truck; (iii) a processor for combining the object ID data and the geographical position data together to produce object ID encoded position data; and (iv) a data link for conveying the object ID encoded position data to an external computing device.
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13. The system of claim 13, further comprising a remote computing device spaced apart from the tanker truck and configured to receive the object ID encoded position data via the data link, the remote computing device including a memory for storing machine instructions and a processor, the machine instructions, when implemented by a processor, enabling a user to access the object ID encoded position data for the tanker truck, such that the object ID encoded position data can be analyzed to determine at least one characteristic of the interaction between the tanker truck and the uniquely labeled object.
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14. The system of claim 14, wherein the uniquely labeled object is a fluid-holding tank located outside the tanker truck, and the remote computing device is configured to use additional object data included in the object ID encoded position data to determine a volume of fluid transferred into the fluid-holding tank from the tanker truck during the interaction between the tank and the tanker truck.
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15. A method for using object identification (ID) encoded position data from a tanker truck equipped with a geographical position system and an object ID sensor to determine at least one characteristic of an interaction between a uniquely labeled object and the tanker truck, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing object ID encoded position data collected during operation of the tanker truck, the object ID encoded position data including object ID data uniquely identifying each uniquely labeled object interacting with the tanker truck during operation of the tanker truck, additional object data collected with the object ID data, and geographical position data defining a relative location of the tanker truck during operation of the tanker truck, the object ID data and the geographical position data being time indexed; and (b) analyzing the object ID encoded position data using the additional object data collected with the object ID data to determine a volume of fluid transferred into a uniquely identifiable fluid-holding tank from the tanker truck during the interaction between that tank and the tanker truck, where the tank is outside of the tanker truck during the interaction between that tank and the tanker truck.
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16. A method for generating object identification (ID) encoded position data from a tanker truck equipped with a geographical position system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) collecting geographical position data from the tanker truck during tanker truck operation, the geographical position data being time indexed; (b) collecting object ID data from a fluid-holding tank interacting with the tanker truck during operation of the tanker truck, the tank being outside of the tanker truck during the interaction, the object ID data uniquely identifying the tank, wherein the interaction between the tank and the tanker truck does not include loading the tank onto the tanker truck or removing the tank from the tanker truck, but wherein the interaction includes a transfer of contents between the tank and the tanker truck; and (c) automatically combining the object ID data and the geographical position data together at the tanker truck to produce object ID encoded position data.
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- 17. The method of claim 17, wherein said fluid holding tanks are home heating oil storage tanks.
Specification