System and method for remotely controlling docking station components
First Claim
1. A loading dock remote control system comprising:
- a facility having at least one docking station for exchanging materials;
a dock component configured to operate in at least two operational states;
an actuator configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal;
a mobile remote control configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component;
at least one predefined non-activation zone wherein changing operational states of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone; and
at least one activation zone wherein dock component operational state changes are permitted when the mobile remote control is within the activation zone;
wherein the non-activation zone is located within the activation zone to preclude dock component operational state changes when the mobile remote control is within a predefined proximity to the at least one docking station.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for remotely controlling loading dock components is disclosed that includes a distribution center having at least one dock station for exchanging materials and a dock component configured to in at least two operational states. An actuator is included that is configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal. A mobile remote control is configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component and at least one predefined non-activation zone is included such that changing of operational state of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A loading dock remote control system comprising:
-
a facility having at least one docking station for exchanging materials; a dock component configured to operate in at least two operational states; an actuator configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal; a mobile remote control configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component; at least one predefined non-activation zone wherein changing operational states of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone; and at least one activation zone wherein dock component operational state changes are permitted when the mobile remote control is within the activation zone; wherein the non-activation zone is located within the activation zone to preclude dock component operational state changes when the mobile remote control is within a predefined proximity to the at least one docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of remotely controlling loading dock doors comprising:
-
receiving a trailer at a docking station having a remotely controllable dock component; enabling remote activation of the remotely controllable dock component if an operator is located in a pre-designated activation zone; and completely disabling remote activation of the remotely controllable dock component if the operator is located in a pre-designated non-activation zone, such that no change of an operational state of the remotely controllable dock component is permitted if an operator is located in the pre-designated non-activation zone; wherein the pre-designated non-activation zone is located within the pre-designated activation zone to preclude dock component operational state changes when the mobile remote control is within a predefined proximity to the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A loading dock remote control system comprising:
-
a distribution center having a plurality of trailer positions, each trailer position having a dock thereat; a dock component positioned at each dock and configured to be activated to permit and restrict access to and from the distribution center from the dock; an actuator configured to actuate the dock component; a receiver configured to cause the actuator to actuate the dock component in response to an activation signal; a mobile remote control configured to generate the activation signal and transmit the activation signal to the receiver; at least one predefined non-activation zone in proximity to one of the trailer positions, wherein actuation of the dock component is disabled if the mobile remote control is located within the at least one non-activation zone; and at least one activation zone wherein dock component operational state changes are permitted when the mobile remote control is within the activation zone; wherein the at least one predefined non-activation zone is located within the activation zone to preclude dock component operational state changes when the mobile remote control is within a predefined proximity to the at least one docking station. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification