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Bulk terminal automation system

  • US 6,370,515 B1
  • Filed: 06/14/1999
  • Issued: 04/09/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for automating and coordinating delivery operations of a bulk shipping terminal, comprising the steps of:

  • providing a local computer network disposed at the bulk shipping terminal, the local computer network including a local CPU and a local database, a data collection network which includes data collection units and a subscriber input device, and the local computer network further including a local data transfer connection between said local CPU at the bulk shipping terminal and a global computer network;

    providing a central office having a central database configured in a relational database format, wherein data from the local database is received via the global computer network and later selectively retrieved from the central database, and further providing a remote data transfer connection between the central office and the global computer network;

    collecting data from the data collecting units via the data collection network, and then storing the collected data locally in the local database;

    entering subscriber input data to request driver access to bulk goods stored in the bulk shipping terminal, and storing the subscriber inputs in the local database;

    comparing the input data to stored transport request data to determine whether to allow the driver access to the bulk goods;

    storing loading data and inventory data in the local database;

    transmitting the loading and inventory data from the local database, through the global computer network, and to the central office;

    storing the transmitted loading and inventory data in the central database; and

    providing selected data compilations made at the central office to various customers in response to corresponding customer requests and according to respective customer selected data formats.

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