Method and load input device for optimizing log truck productivity

• US 7,949,612 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Forest Logistics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Forest Logistics, Inc.
• Inventors: Davis, Richard W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; John W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flynn; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/725,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 705/336, 705/330, 705/7, 701/50, 701/117
• US Class Current: 705/336
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers

Abstract

A method of optimizing log truck productivity utilizing technology allowing the entry of log truck orders from the field. The present invention generally seeks to improve productivity by (1) minimizing the distances log trucks drive with empty loads and (2) improving coordination between groups of log truck drivers and groups of log loaders to allow for more efficient cross-servicing between the parties. Using the load input device, a loader operator in the field enters a “load ticket” that specifies a mill destination, a desired pickup time for the truck to arrive at the logging site and a desired trailer configuration type. This order is transmitted to a server where it is a received into a centralized application or server. A computer running optimization software can match the load with available trucks or trucks about to become available.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing hauling productivity for a plurality of log trucks picking up a plurality of log loads from a plurality of log loaders and hauling said plurality of log loads to a plurality of mills, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a computer running an optimizer program;

b. providing a log load input device to each of said plurality of log loaders, each of said log load input devices including

i. means for inputting load data about each of said plurality of log loads, said load data including a desired trailer configuration type, location where a log load is to be picked up, destination for said log load, and a time when said log load will be available to be picked up,

ii. means for wirelessly transmitting said load data to said computer running said optimizer program;

c. entering said load data into said log load input device;

d. transmitting said load data from said log load input device to said computer;

e. providing a load request input device to each of said log trucks, each of said load request input devices including

i. means for inputting status data about a log truck, said status data including present location of said log truck, and a time when said log truck will be available to pick up one of said plurality of log loads,

ii. means for wirelessly transmitting said status data to said computer running said optimizer program;

f. entering said status data into said load request input device;

g. transmitting said status data from said load request input device to said computer;

h. using said optimizer program running on said computer to create a load queue containing all of said load data and a truck queue containing all of said status data;

i. assigning said log trucks corresponding to said status data to said log loads corresponding to said load data in order to minimize unloaded travel of said log trucks, thereby creating log truck assignments whereby each of said trucks is assigned to one of said log loads; and

j. transmitting said log truck assignments from said computer to said log load input devices and said load request input devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said log load input devices includes a GPS receiver which automatically determines and enters said location where said log load is to be picked up.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said load request input devices includes a GPS receiver which automatically determines and enters said location of said log truck.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said computer monitors the total time of operation for a driver of said log truck.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising using said optimizer program to prevent assigning a log load to a truck when such an assignment will cause said driver of said log truck to exceed a defined total time of operation.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

providing a display connected to said load request input device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a display connected to said log load input device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said steps of transmitting said load data, transmitting said status data, and transmitting said log truck assignments are performed using cellular transmissions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said log load input device is portable.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

optimizing the transport of said plurality of loads by determining a best available log truck from a group of available log trucks to carry one of said plurality of loads;

wherein said group of available log trucks include log trucks which have transmitted status data to said server; and

wherein said best available log truck is determined by utilizing said load data transmitted by said plurality of log loaders together with said status data and data describing the identity and location of each of said group of available log trucks to reduce empty load travel distances for said group of available log trucks.

11. The method of claim 1, said log load input device further including:

a means for receiving load pick-up data transmitted from said server, said load pick-up data describing pick-up arrangements for said one of said plurality of loads; and

a display screen configured to display said pick-up data or descriptions thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, said load request input device further including:

a. a means for receiving load pick-up data transmitted from said server, said load pick-up data including an expected time when said load will be picked up; and

b. a display screen configured to display said load pick-up data.

13. The method of claim 12, said load data including:

a destination where said one of said plurality of loads is to be delivered.

14. A method for optimizing hauling productivity for a plurality of log trucks picking up a plurality of log loads from a plurality of log loaders and hauling said plurality of log loads to a plurality of mills, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a computer running an optimizer program;

b. providing a log load input device to each of said plurality of log loaders, each of said log load input device including

i. means for inputting load data about each of said plurality of log loads, said load data including a type of log load to be picked up, location where a log load is to be picked up, destination for said log load, and a time when said log load will be available to be picked up,

ii. means for wirelessly transmitting said load data to said computer running said optimizer program;

c. entering said load data into said log load input device;

d. transmitting said load data from said log load input device to said computer;

e. providing a load request input device to each of said log trucks, each of said load request input devices including

i. means for inputting status data about a log truck, said status data including the present location of said log truck, and a time when said log truck will be available to pick up one of said plurality of log loads,

ii. means for wirelessly transmitting said status data to said computer running said optimizer program;

f. entering said status data into said load request input device;

g. transmitting said status data from said load request input device to said computer;

h. using said optimizer program running on said computer to create a load queue containing all of said load data and a truck queue containing all of said status data;

i. assigning said log trucks corresponding to said status data to said log loads corresponding to said load data in order to minimize unloaded travel of said log trucks, thereby creating log truck assignments whereby each of said trucks is assigned to one of said log loads; and

j. transmitting said log truck assignments from said computer to said log load input devices and said load request input devices.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

a. registering each of said log trucks with said computer so that said computer has information as to each of said log truck'"'"'s trailer configuration type; and

b. using said information as to said trailer configuration types to match said registered log trucks against said load data.