Method for associating an asset with a monitoring device

• US 20050242181A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asset Intelligence LLC (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Transport International Pool Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Wegner, Torsten, Cunningham, James Franklin
• Granted Patent: US 7,148,800 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A method for establishing an association in a remote computer database between an asset and an electronic device monitoring the asset, while minimizing the chances of an error in the association. The method is capable of being implemented by one user largely automatically. Establishing the association enables reliable remote monitoring of the asset.

Claims

1. A method for establishing an association between an asset and an electronic device monitoring said asset, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a set of information comprising information unique to said asset to a remote database via said electronic device and a first communication channel;

said electronic device automatically transmitting a signature, unique to said electronic device, to said remote database;

automatically searching said remote database to match said set of information to corresponding information contained in said database; and

(a) if said set of information is successfully matched to corresponding information in said database, establishing an association between said asset and said electronic device in said remote database, and communicating successful association to a user, or

(b) if said set of information is not successfully matched to corresponding information in said database, communicating unsuccessful association to a user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said set of information comprising information unique to said asset is automatically transmitted to said database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a single user establishes a second communication channel between said electronic device and a portable device and enters into said portable device said set of information comprising information unique to said asset.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said communicating successful or unsuccessful association comprises conveying a text message via said electronic device and said second 2-way communication channel, to said portable device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said second communication channel comprises a wire or cable.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said second communication channel is a wireless communication channel.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one item of said first set of information is entered by choosing items from a menu shown on a display on said portable device.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein said first set of information comprises information entered by typing on a keyboard on said portable device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said keyboard comprises physical keys.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said keyboard comprises virtual keys appearing on a display on said portable device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said communicating successful or unsuccessful association comprises the displaying of a text message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said displaying of a text message comprises the use of text messaging on a cellular telephone.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said set of information further comprises:

information unique to said user and information unique to a customer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said set of information comprises the company installing said electronic device at said asset, the name of said user implementing the association of said asset, and a set of alphanumeric characters unique to the customer.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic device comprises a transceiver.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said electronic device further comprises at least one sensor, said at least one sensor recording information unique to said asset.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising executing at least one diagnostic test on said at least one sensor, and displaying the results of said at least one test to said user as a text message.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, said GPS device transmitting the location of said electronic device to said transceiver.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said asset comprises a shipping container.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said asset comprises a mobile or stationary trailer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said information unique to said asset comprises information uniquely identifying a tractor hooked to said trailer.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising the automatic performing of diagnostic tests on said electronic device and said portable device, and communicating the results of said tests to said user.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein said set of information comprises at least one asset identification number.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said first communication channel comprises communication satellites.

25. A method for establishing an association between an asset and an electronic device attached to said asset, said electronic device comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, and a satellite transceiver, said transceiver being in satellite-assisted communication with a remote database, said remote database containing information about said asset and said electronic device, the method capable of being implemented by one user through a handheld device, said handheld device comprising a manual input, the method comprising:

entering into said handheld device a first set of information comprising a company name and a user name;

connecting a communication cable between said handheld device and said transceiver;

initiating diagnostic testing on said electronic device;

entering a second set of information into said handheld device, said second set of information comprising;

a set of alphanumeric characters unique to the customer, and information unique to said asset;

transmitting said first and second sets of information via said transceiver to said remote database;

said electronic device automatically transmitting a third set of information to said database, comprising;

a serial number unique to said electronic device, and the location of said electronic device as determined by said GPS device;

automatically comparing said second and third sets of information to said remote database to find matching information; and

(a) if said second and third sets of information are successfully matched to corresponding information in said database, automatically establishing an association between said asset and said electronic device in said remote database, and communicating successful association to said user;

or

(b) if said second and third sets of information are not successfully matched to corresponding information in said database, communicating unsuccessful association to said user.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein multiple associations of assets and electronic devices can be performed in sequence without manually re-entering at least one of said company name, said user name, and said set of alphanumeric characters.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said asset comprises a mobile or stationary trailer.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said information unique to said asset comprises a trailer number and a full or partial Vehicle Identification Number.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said asset is a shipping container.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein said communicating successful or unsuccessful association to said user comprises the displaying of a text message.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said displaying of a text message comprises conveying said message to said handheld device via said electronic device and said communication cable.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein said displaying of a text message comprises the use of text messaging on a cellular telephone.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of said second set of information is automatically entered into said handheld device.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein said electronic device further comprises at least one sensor, the output of said at least one sensor being transmitted to said remote database.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein said company name and said user name are entered manually.