Information transmission and processing systems and methods for freight carriers

• US 8,339,251 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Inventors: Roberts, Ralph L. Sr., Deck, Chris, Crandall, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US13/439,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20120203398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 701/29, 701/32, 701/33, 701/35
• US Class Current: 340/431
• 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 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;

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;

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.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 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.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises receiving information input provided by a driver of the vehicle and associating the information with the image data.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method comprises routing at least portions of the image data to one or more image processing utilities.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 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.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises routing at least portions of the image to one or more image processing utilities for generating a document.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the method further comprises transmitting the document to the customer.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises transmitting the image data from the remote processor to a customer'"'"'s remote client.

9. 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;

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; and

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

10. 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;

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;

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.

11. 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;

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; and

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.

12. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 11 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.

13. 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;

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.

14. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 13 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.

15. 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;

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.

16. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 15 wherein the dispatch module is further configured to providing bi-directional communication between the transportation units and the remote processor.

17. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 15 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.

18. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 17 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.

19. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 18 wherein the questions comprise revenue capture questions.

20. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 18 wherein the questions comprise customer service questions.

21. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 17 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.

22. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 21 wherein the code is configured as a 2D bar code positioned on the transportation document.

23. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 21 wherein the code delineates a special handling instruction.

24. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 23 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.

25. 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;

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.

26. 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;

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.

27. 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;

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.

28. 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;

wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system and wherein the fuel management system is configured to provide fueling information to the mobile device terminal.

29. The mobile data terminal as claimed in claim 28 wherein the fueling information comprises at least one of fuel cost, time of fueling and amount of fuel.

30. 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;

wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system and wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit vehicle identification to the fuel management system.

31. 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;

wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system and wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit driver identification to the fuel management system.

32. 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;

wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system and wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit vehicle mileage to the fuel management system.

33. 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;

wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system and wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to transmit engine fault codes to the fuel management system.

34. 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;

wherein the mobile data terminal is configured to communicate with a fuel management system and wherein the mobile data terminal and fuel management system are configured to enable bi-directional communication between each other.