Method for in-cab driver operation

• US 8,285,611 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Xpress Enterprises Incorporated
• Original Assignee: US Xpress Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Fuller, Max L., Crane, Kenneth W., Lathrop, Robert, Davison, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): ADE, OGER GARCIA
• Application Number:
  US12/648,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20100169199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 705/34
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

A method for transporting cargo using a truck is provided. Preferably, the method is used in connection with full truckload operations. The method generally includes powering up a communications module residing within a cab of the truck. The communications module comprises a vehicle navigation system, a modem for receiving telecommunications signals, a processing unit for associating instructions for cargo delivery locations with geo-positioning coordinates, and a user interface. The method further includes receiving a cargo delivery data set at the communications module. The data set is sent from a host trucking management system. The data set provides at least a first cargo delivery location for the driver. The method then includes the driver acknowledging receipt of the first cargo delivery location through the user interface. Acknowledgment of receipt of the first cargo delivery location causes a signal to be sent from the communications module to the host trucking management system. The method also includes driving the truck and cargo to the first cargo delivery location. Upon arrival, the host trucking management system is informed. This is done by sending a first arrival signal from the communications module.

Claims

1. A method for transporting full truckload cargo using a truck, the truck comprising a cab in which a driver operates the truck, the method comprising:

powering up a communications module residing in the cab, the communications module comprising a vehicle navigation system, a modem for receiving wireless telecommunications signals, a processing unit for associating instructions for cargo delivery locations with geo-positioning coordinates, and a user interface;

receiving a cargo delivery data set at the communications module from a host trucking management system, the data set providing (i) a first cargo delivery location;

acknowledging receipt of the first cargo delivery location through the user interface, wherein a receipt signal is sent from the communications module to the host trucking management system;

driving the truck and cargo to the first cargo delivery location while referencing a map provided through the vehicle navigation system to the first cargo delivery location;

arriving at the first cargo delivery location; and

informing the host trucking management system of approximate arrival of the truck at the first cargo delivery location by sending a first arrival signal from the communications module, wherein the first arrival signal is sent automatically by the processing unit upon receiving confirmation from the vehicle navigation system that the driver is within a specified distance from the first cargo delivery location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the cargo delivery data set further comprises (ii) a desired delivery time for the first cargo delivery location, (iii) a first cargo pick-up location, (iv) a desired pick-up time for the first cargo pick-up location, (v) a refueling location, (vi) a second cargo pick-up location, (vii) a second cargo delivery location, or (viii) combinations thereof; and

the vehicle navigation system automatically provides a map to the driver en route to each of the included locations.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

driving the truck and cargo to the first cargo pick-up location while referencing the map provided by the vehicle navigation system;

arriving at the first cargo pick-up location; and

informing the host trucking management system of arrival at the first cargo pick-up location.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

driving the truck and cargo to the second cargo delivery location while referencing the map provided by the vehicle navigation system;

arriving at the second cargo delivery location; and

informing the host trucking management system of arrival at the second cargo delivery location.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the cargo delivery data set comprises (i) the first cargo delivery location and (vii) the second cargo delivery location; and

the second cargo delivery location is not provided to the driver until after the driver has arrived at the first cargo delivery location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to the host trucking management system receiving the first arrival signal, an invoice is sent to a first consignee.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to the host trucking management system receiving the first arrival signal, a payroll check is created for the driver.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to the host trucking management system receiving the first arrival signal, a confirmation of delivery is sent to the first consignee.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the confirmation of delivery is sent following a selected period of time after arrival of the truck at the first cargo delivery location.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications module comprises a touch screen that serves as a user interface for communicating with the host tracking management system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

operational software controls applications implemented through the touch screen; and

the applications are accessed through a menu screen having tabs for the applications.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the tabs comprise applications for (i) a navigation screen, (ii) a messages screen having an inbox and an outbox, (iii) a terminal list screen, (iv) an order information screen showing information about at least one dispatch, or (v) combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

alerting a driver through the touch screen when the driver has gone off-route.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the tabs comprise an application for forms, the forms having fields that are fillable by the driver.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forms comprise a form completed by the driver using the touch screen when the driver has completed a delivery at the first cargo delivery location.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the tabs comprise a projected time of availability tab that informs a driver as to a projected time of availability, and allows a driver to adjust the projected time of availability.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the tabs comprise a driver services tab that allows a driver to view information pertaining to (i) safety procedures, (ii) payroll information, (iii) hours of service, (iv) weather reports, or (v) combinations thereof.

18. A method for coordinating the delivery of full truckload cargo, comprising:

sending a cargo delivery data set from a host trucking management system to a communications module, wherein;

the communications module is located in a cab in a remote truck to be driven by a driver,

the communications module comprises a vehicle navigation system, a modem for receiving wireless telecommunications signals, a processing unit for associating instructions for cargo delivery locations with geo-positioning coordinates, and a user interface, and

the cargo delivery data set comprises (i) a first cargo delivery location;

receiving an acknowledgement receipt of the first cargo delivery location from the user interface, wherein a receipt signal is sent from the communications module to the host trucking management system; and

receiving a first delivery signal through the host trucking management system confirming that the truck has arrived at the first cargo delivery location, wherein the first delivery signal is sent automatically by the processing unit upon receiving confirmation from the vehicle navigation system that the driver is within a specified distance from the first cargo delivery location.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the cargo delivery data set further comprises (ii) a desired delivery time for the first cargo delivery location, (iii) a first cargo pick-up location, and (iv) a desired pick-up time for the first cargo pick-up location; and

the method further comprises receiving a first pick-up signal through the host trucking management system confirming that the truck has arrived at the first cargo pick-up location.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the cargo delivery data set further comprises (v) a refueling location, (vi) a second cargo pick-up location, (vii) a second cargo delivery location, (viii) a desired delivery time for the second cargo delivery location, or (viii) combinations thereof; and

the method further comprises receiving a second delivery signal through the host trucking management system confirming that the truck has arrived at the second cargo delivery location.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the vehicle navigation system automatically provides a map to the driver en route to each of the included locations.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending an invoice to a first consignee after the host trucking management system receives the first delivery signal.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending a payroll check to the driver after the host trucking management system receives the first delivery signal.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending a confirmation of delivery to the first consignee after the host trucking management system receives the first arrival signal.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the confirmation of delivery is sent following a selected period of time after arrival of the truck at the first cargo delivery location.