Cart fleet management system

• US 20030102969A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natan E. Parsons
• Original Assignee: Natan E. Parsons
• Inventors: Parsons, Natan E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,199,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence

Abstract

A hand-operated cart constructed for carrying luggage or packages includes a frame including a cargo area, and cart wheels connected to the frame and connected to a handrail arranged for manually displacing the cart. The cart also includes a distance sensor constructed and arranged to measure a travel distance of the cart, an interface unit and a processor constructed to receive travel distance data from the distance sensor.

Claims

1. A hand operated cart constructed for carrying luggage or packages, comprising:

a frame including a cargo area;

cart wheels connected to said frame and connected to a handrail arranged for manually displacing said cart;

a distance sensor constructed and arranged to measure a travel distance of said cart; and

an interface unit and a processor constructed to receive travel distance data from said distance sensor.

2. The hand-operated cart of claim 1 further including a direction sensor constructed and arranged to detect a travel direction of said cart.

3. The hand-operated cart of claim 2 wherein said distance sensor is coupled to one of said wheels and arranged to measure said travel distance based on rotation of said wheel.

4. The hand-operated cart of claim 3 wherein said distance sensor includes a reed sensor mounted on said wheel.

5. The hand-operated cart of claim 2 wherein said direction sensor includes a rotary encoder operatively connected to one of said wheels.

6. The hand-operated cart of claim 1 further including a gate sensor cooperatively arranged with a gate marker located at a fixed location.

7. The hand-operated cart of claim 6 wherein said gate sensor provides to said processor gate data corresponding said fixed gate location based on a signal from said gate marker.

8. The hand-operated cart of claim 7 wherein said gate marker emits an optical signal detected by said gate sensor located on said cart.

9. The hand-operated cart of claim 7 wherein said gate marker emits an electromagnetic signal detected by said gate sensor located on said cart.

10. The hand-operated cart of claim 1 further including an identifier associated with said cart and cooperatively arranged with a gate scanner located at a fixed location and constructed to register proximity of said cart at said fixed location.

11. The hand-operated cart of claim 10 wherein said identifier includes a bar code.

12. The hand-operated cart of claim 10 wherein said identifier includes a magnet.

13. The hand-operated cart of claim 1 wherein said interface unit includes a transmitter.

14. A system for managing multiple carts constructed for carrying luggage or packages, comprising:

multiple carts each including a frame having a cargo area, cart wheels connected to said frame and connected to a handrail arranged for manually displacing said cart, a distance sensor constructed and arranged to measure a travel distance of said cart, an interface unit, and a processor constructed to receive travel distance data from said distance sensor;

several base units arranged to receive data from said interface unit; and

a computer system interfaced with said base units and arranged to manage use of said carts.

15. A method of scheduling maintenance of carts constructed for carrying luggage or packages, comprising:

providing multiple carts including usage sensors;

providing a base unit including a computer system arranged to receive data from said usage sensors;

registering usage of said carts by said usage sensor;

receiving by said computer system from an identified cart providing a usage signal and a cart identification signal; and

scheduling maintenance of said identified cart based on said usage signal and selected criteria.

16. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein said usage sensor includes a load sensor and a displacement sensor.

17. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 16 wherein said displacement sensor includes a distance sensor and a direction sensor.

18. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein said displacement sensor further includes a gate sensor cooperatively arranged with a gate marker located at a fixed position at said area.

19. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein receiving by said usage signal includes receiving distance data corresponding to a travel distance of said cart over a selected time period.

20. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein receiving by said usage signal includes receiving load data corresponding to a load carried on said cart over a selected time period.

21. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein said load data includes weight of said load.

22. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein said displacement sensor is constructed to transmit a signal to a remote location.

23. The method of scheduling maintenance according to claim 15 wherein said displacement sensor is constructed to transmit a signal to several remote locations arranged to determine a location of said cart.

24. A method of locating carts constructed for carrying luggage or packages around an areas comprising:

providing multiple carts including displacement sensors;

providing a base unit including a computer system arranged to receive data from said displacement sensors;

receiving by said computer system from an identified cart providing a displacement signal and a cart identification signal; and

determining location of said identified cart in said area.

25. The method of locating carts according to claim 24 wherein said displacement sensor includes a distance sensor and a direction sensor.

26. The method of locating carts according to claim 25 wherein said displacement sensor further includes a gate sensor cooperatively arranged with a gate marker located at a fixed position at said area.

27. The method of locating carts according to claim 25 wherein said distance sensor is constructed and arranged to measure a distance said cart traveled in any direction.

28. The method of locating carts according to claim 25 wherein said direction sensor is constructed and arranged to orientation of movement of said cart in any travel direction.

29. An apparatus for scheduling maintenance of carts constructed for carrying luggage or packages, comprising:

multiple carts each including a frame having a cargo area, cart wheels connected to said frame and connected to a handrail arranged for manually displacing said cart, a usage sensor constructed and arranged to measure usage of said cart, an interface unit, and a processor constructed to receive usage data from said usage sensor;

several base units arranged to receive usage data from said interface unit;

a computer system interfaced with said carts, said computer system being arranged to register said usage of each said cart;

said computer system being arranged to schedule maintenance of an identified cart based on said usage signal and selected criteria.

30. An apparatus for locating carts constructed for carrying luggage or packages around an area, comprising:

multiple carts each including a frame having a cargo area, cart wheels connected to said frame and connected to a handrail arranged for manually displacing said cart, a movement sensor constructed and arranged to measure usage of said cart, an interface unit, and a processor constructed to receive movement data from said movement sensor;

several base units arranged to receive usage data from said interface unit;

a computer system interfaced with said carts, said computer system being arranged to register said movement data of each said cart;

said computer system being arranged to locate an identified cart based on said movement data.