ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM

• US 20120185168A1
• Filed: 01/13/2011
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Inventors: Patel, Sanjaykumar R., Bramer, Glenn, Harris, J. Trevor, Gardner, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 9,721,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/482
• 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

An asset tracking system including a dispatching system and a movable object module. The dispatching system includes a processing device configured for controlling the dispatching system, a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object, a position data store configured for storing the position information, and a report module configured for reporting the position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein the report module includes a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to the first non-owning entity; and a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of the verification information, providing the position information to the first non-owning entity, wherein the position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking the verification information. The movable object module determines the position information corresponding to the movable object and transmits the position information to the position information receiver.

Claims

1. An asset tracking system comprising (system):

a dispatching system comprising;

a first processing device configured for controlling said dispatching system;

a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object;

a position data store configured for storing said position information; and

a report module configured for reporting said position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein said report module comprises;

a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to said first non-owning entity; and

a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of said verification information, providing said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information; and

a movable object module comprising;

a location determining component coupled with said movable object, said location determining component configured for determining said position information corresponding to said movable object; and

a position information transmitter coupled with said location determining component, said position information transmitter configured for transmitting said position information to said position information receiver.

2. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said dispatching system further comprises:

an first input device configured for receiving input information.

3. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said dispatching system further comprises:

a first graphical user interface.

4. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said dispatching system further comprises:

a request receiver configured for receiving a request from said non-owning entity for access to said position information.

5. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said dispatching system further comprising:

a termination module configured for disabling said position information reporter.

6. The asset tracking system of claim 5, wherein said termination module comprises:

a termination request receiver configured for receiving a request from an operator of said dispatching system to disable said position information reporter.

7. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said dispatching system further comprises:

a time stamper configured for stamping said position information with a time.

8. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said movable object module further comprises:

a second processing device configured for controlling said movable object module.

9. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said movable object module further comprises:

a second input device configured for receiving input information.

10. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said movable object module further comprises:

a second graphical user interface.

11. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said movable object module further comprises:

an instruction receiver configured for receiving an instruction associated with said movable object.

12. The asset tracking system of claim 11, wherein said instruction is a hauling instruction.

13. The asset tracking system of claim 1, further comprising:

a viewing object module comprising;

a position information requester configured for requesting access to position information corresponding to a movable object, said position information being located at a dispatching system;

a viewing privilege determiner configured for establishing a viewing privilege of said first non-owning entity to view said position information;

a verification information receiver configured for, after said viewing privilege is established, receiving from said dispatching system verification information corresponding to said position information of said movable object, the presentation of said verification information to said dispatching system enabling access to said position information;

a verification information transmitter configured for presenting said verification information to said dispatching system; and

a receiver configured for receiving said position information after said presenting said verification information to said dispatching system, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

14. The asset tracking system of claim 13, wherein the viewing privilege determiner comprises:

a viewing privilege determination request receiver configured for receiving a viewing privilege determination request from said dispatching system; and

a viewing privilege determination confirmer configured for confirming said viewing privilege of said position information.

15. The asset tracking system of claim 13, wherein said viewing object module further comprises:

a third input device configured for receiving input information.

16. The asset tracking system of claim 13, wherein said viewing object module further comprises:

a third graphical user interface.

17. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said movable object module is configured to be coupled with a set of sensors, each sensor of said set of sensors being configured to collect status information associated with said movable object.

18. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said verification information unit comprises:

a pre-fix assigner configured for assigning a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

19. The asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein said location determining component is a global navigation satellite system receiver.

20. A dispatching system for tracking an asset, said dispatching system comprising:

a processing device configured for controlling said dispatching system;

a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object;

a position data store configured for storing said position information; and

a report module configured for reporting said position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein said report module comprises;

a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to said first non-owning entity; and

a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of said verification information, providing said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

21. The dispatching system of claim 20, further comprising:

an input device configured for receiving input information.

22. The dispatching system of claim 20, further comprising:

a graphical user interface.

23. The dispatching system of claim 20, further comprising:

a request receiver configured for receiving a request from said non-owning entity for access to said position information.

24. The dispatching system of claim 20, further comprising:

a termination module configured for disabling said position information reporter.

25. The termination module of claim 24 comprising:

a termination request receiver configured for receiving a request from an operator of said dispatching system to disable said position information reporter.

26. The dispatching system of claim 20, further comprising:

a time stamper configured for stamping said position information with a time.

27. The asset tracking system of claim 20, wherein said verification information unit comprises:

a pre-fix assigner configured for assigning a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

28. A movable object module for tracking an asset comprising:

a location determining component coupled with said movable object, said location determining component configured for determining said position information corresponding to said movable object; and

a position information transmitter coupled with said location determining component, said position information transmitter configured for transmitting said position information to a position information receiver, said position information being reportable to a first non-owning entity upon the receipt of verification information corresponding to said position information, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

29. The movable object module of claim 28, further comprising:

a processor configured for controlling said movable object module.

30. The movable object module of claim 28, further comprising:

an input device configured for receiving input information.

31. The movable object module of claim 28, further comprising:

a graphical user interface.

32. The movable object module of claim 28, further comprising:

an instruction receiver configured for receiving an instruction associated with said movable object.

33. The movable object module of claim 32, wherein said instruction comprises a hauling instruction.

34. The movable object module of claim 28, wherein said location determining component is a global navigation satellite system receiver.

35. A viewing object module for tracking an asset, said viewing object module comprising:

a position information requester configured for requesting access to position information corresponding to a movable object, said position information being located at a dispatching system;

a viewing privilege determiner configured for establishing a viewing privilege of a first non-owning entity to view said position information;

a verification information receiver configured for, after said viewing privilege is established, receiving from said dispatching system verification information corresponding to said position information of said movable object, the presentation of said verification information to said dispatching system enabling access to said position information;

a verification information transmitter configured for presenting said verification information to said dispatching system; and

a receiver configured for receiving said position information after said presenting said verification information to said dispatching system, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

36. The asset tracking system of claim 35, wherein said viewing privilege determiner comprises:

a viewing privilege determination request receiver configured for receiving a viewing privilege determination request from said dispatching system; and

a viewing privilege determination confirmer configured for confirming said viewing privilege of said position information.

37. The asset tracking system of claim 35, wherein said viewing object module further comprises:

an input device configured for receiving input information.

38. The asset tracking system of claim 35, wherein said viewing object module further comprises:

a graphical user interface.

39. An asset tracking system comprising:

a dispatching system comprising;

a first processing device configured for controlling said dispatching system;

a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object;

a first position data store configured for storing said position information; and

a first report module configured for reporting said position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein said first report module comprises;

a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to said first non-owning entity; and

a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of said verification information, providing said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information; and

a reporting instruction transmitter configured for transmitting a reporting instruction; and

a movable object module comprising;

a second processing device configured for controlling said movable object module;

a location determining component coupled with said movable object, said location determining component configured for determining said position information corresponding to said movable object;

a second position data store configured for storing said position information;

a position information transmitter coupled with said location determining component, said position information transmitter configured for transmitting said position information to said position information receiver;

a reporting instruction receiver configured for receiving said reporting instruction; and

a second report module configured for reporting said position information to said first non-owning entity according to said reporting instruction.

40. An asset tracking system comprising:

a dispatching system comprising;

a first processing device configured for controlling said dispatching system;

a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object;

a first position data store configured for storing said position information; and

an instruction transmitter configured for transmitting a moving instruction; and

a movable object module comprising;

a second processing device configured for controlling said movable object module;

a location determining component coupled with said movable object, said location determining component configured for determining said position information corresponding to said movable object;

a second position data store configured for storing said position information;

a position information transmitter coupled with said location determining component, said position information transmitter configured for transmitting said position information to said position information receiver; and

a report module configured for reporting said position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein said report module comprises;

a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to said first non-owning entity; and

a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of said verification information, providing said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

41. A computer implemented method for tracking assets during delivery, said method comprising:

receiving by a computer a request from a first non-owning entity for access to position information corresponding to a movable object;

verifying that said request originates from said first non-owning entity;

verifying that said first non-owning entity is privileged to receive said position information;

based on a determination of said privilege, assigning verification information necessary for presentation before said position information is released;

upon a presentation of said verification information, reporting said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

42. The computer implemented method of claim 41, wherein said assigning verification information comprises:

assigning a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

43. A computer implemented method for tracking assets during delivery, said method comprising:

requesting by a computer at a first non-owning entity access to position information corresponding to a movable object;

receiving by said computer a verification request from a dispatching system, said dispatching system configured for storing and transmitting said position information;

after verification of a privilege to view said position information is determined, receiving by said computer verification information, the presentation of which to said dispatching system enables access to said position information;

upon said presentation of said verification information to said dispatching system, receiving by said computer said position information from said dispatching system, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

44. The computer implemented method of claim 43, wherein said receiving by said computer verification information comprises:

receiving a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

45. A computer implemented method for tracking assets during delivery, said method comprising:

determining by a computer position information of a movable object;

sending by said computer said position information to a dispatching system, wherein said dispatching system comprises;

a processing device configured for controlling said dispatching system;

a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object;

a position data store configured for storing said position information; and

a report module configured for reporting said position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein said report module comprises;

a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to said first non-owning entity; and

a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of said verification information, providing said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

46. The computer implemented method of claim 45, wherein said sending by said computer said position information to a dispatching system comprises:

assigning a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

47. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer system, cause said computer system to perform a method for tracking a movable object, said method comprising:

receiving by a computer a request from a first non-owning entity for access to position information corresponding to a movable object;

verifying that said request originates from said first non-owning entity;

verifying that said first non-owning entity is privileged to receive said position information;

based on a determination of said privilege, assigning verification information necessary for presentation before said position information is released;

upon a presentation of said verification information, reporting said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said assigning verification information comprises:

assigning a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

49. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer system, cause said computer system to perform a method for tracking a movable object, said method comprising:

requesting, by a computer at a first non-owning entity, access to position information corresponding to a movable object;

receiving by said computer a verification request from a dispatching system, said dispatching system configured for storing and transmitting said position information;

after verification of a privilege to view said position information, receiving by said computer verification information, the presentation of which to said dispatching system enables access to said position information;

upon said presentation of said verification information to said dispatching system, receiving by said computer said position information from said dispatching system, wherein said position information is inaccessible to second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said receiving verification information comprises:

receiving a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.

51. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer system, cause said computer system to perform a method for tracking a movable object, said method comprising:

determining by a computer position information of a movable object;

sending by said computer said position information to a dispatching system, wherein said dispatching system comprises;

a processing device configured for controlling said dispatching system;

a position information receiver configured for receiving position information associated with a movable object;

a position data store configured for storing said position information; and

a report module configured for reporting said position information to a first non-owning entity, wherein said report module comprises;

a verification unit configured for receiving verification information corresponding to said first non-owning entity; and

a position information reporter configured for, upon receipt of said verification information, providing said position information to said first non-owning entity, wherein said position information is inaccessible to a second non-owning entity lacking said verification information.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said sending by said computer said position information to a dispatching system comprises:

assigning a pre-fix as part of said verification information, wherein said pre-fix is associated with a transporter of said movable object.