Information transmission and processing systems and methods for freight carriers

• US 8,362,888 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• 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:
  US13/439,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20120200434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/572.1, 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 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;

requesting the trailer identification signal and trailer information from the vehicle by a remote processor, 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 to the remote processor; and

generating a hook or unhook event based at least in part on the trailer identification signal and the trailer information.

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 data terminal 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 data terminal 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 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.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event comprises receiving a rerouting dispatch signal from the remote processor to the mobile data terminal device.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 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.