Industrial vehicle fleet management system

• US 8,234,069 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Ding, Steven A., Manz, Damon M., Mallonee, Donald L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOYER, DALE S
• Application Number:
  US12/379,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 701/202, 701/22, 701/50, 701532-533, 705 9- 10, 706/52
• US Class Current: 701/533
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

Embodiments consistent with the invention are an apparatus for and method of generating data on current utilization of powered industrial vehicles, generating preferred routing assignments for powered industrial drivers, and presenting preferred routing assignments for powered industrial vehicle drivers.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of generating preferred routing assignments for powered industrial vehicle drivers, comprising:

using a computer, determining an average time to safely drive a powered industrial vehicle on preferred minimum distances between a plurality of mail processing stations;

wherein there are alternate pathways between and among the plurality of mail processing stations;

using the computer, developing statistics on the time mail processing stations required to process an incoming pallet or container as well as generate an outgoing pallet or container;

using the computer, estimating the amount of incoming mail based on the number of pallets and containers on incoming trucks;

using the computer, using the average time, developed statistics, and estimated incoming mail to simulate the work flow of the incoming mail;

using the computer, determining the number and timing of loaded pallets and containers to be removed from and delivered to the plurality of mail processing stations and the number and timing of empty pallets and containers to be removed from and delivered to the plurality of mail processing stations;

using the computer, calculating a minimum number of powered industrial vehicles that is needed to timely distribute and process the mail between and among the plurality of mail processing stations;

using the computer, generating assignments for the minimum number of powered industrial vehicles, including expected pathways between and among the plurality of mail processing stations and time schedules;

using the computer, receiving, from a sensor in communication with a powered industrial vehicle, a path driven by the powered industrial vehicle; and

using the computer, developing time statistics on time mail processing stations required to process two or more incoming pallets or containers at a same time.

2. The computer-implemented of claim 1, further comprising, using a computer, transmitting the generated assignments to powered industrial vehicles for graphical display to the drivers;

using the computer, transmitting an assignment to the minimum number of powered industrial vehicles for graphical display to the drivers.

3. A computer-implemented method of generating preferred routing assignments for powered industrial vehicle drivers, comprising:

using a computer, determining an average time to safely drive a powered industrial vehicle on preferred minimum distances between a plurality of mail processing stations;

wherein there are alternate pathways between and among the plurality of mail processing stations;

using the computer, developing statistics on the time mail processing stations required to process an incoming pallet or container as well as generate an outgoing pallet or container;

using the computer, estimating the amount of incoming mail based on the number of pallets and containers on incoming trucks;

using the computer, using the average time, developed statistics, and estimated incoming mail to simulate the work flow of the incoming mail;

using the computer, determining the number and timing of loaded pallets and containers to be removed from and delivered to the plurality of mail processing stations and the number and timing of empty pallets and containers to be removed from and delivered to the plurality of mail processing stations;

using the computer, calculating a minimum number of powered industrial vehicles that is needed to timely distribute and process the mail between and among the plurality of mail processing stations;

using the computer, generating assignments for the minimum number of powered industrial vehicles, including expected pathways between and among the plurality of mail processing stations and time schedules;

using the computer, transmitting an assignment to the minimum number of powered industrial vehicles for graphical display to the drivers;

using the computer, receiving, from a sensor in communication with a powered industrial vehicle, a path driven by the powered industrial vehicle; and

using the computer, developing time statistics on time mail processing stations required to process two or more incoming pallets or containers at a same time.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising, using a computer, storing data indicating whether a pallet or container in a powered industrial vehicle contains a load of mail.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising, using a computer, storing data indicating a time and location where a pallet or container is removed from a powered industrial vehicle.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising, using a computer, storing data indicating a time and location where a pallet or container is loaded onto a powered industrial vehicle.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising, using a computer, receiving, from a sensor in communication with a powered industrial vehicle, identifiers of any pallets or containers being transported by the powered industrial vehicle.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein developing statistics on time mail process stations required to process an incoming pallet or container comprises determining whether the mail processing stations are staffed.