IP Library Granted Patent US 8,706,095
Granted Patent B2
US 8,706,095 · App. 11/097,664 · Granted Apr 22, 2014

System for providing dynamic group and service assignments

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,706,095
App. No.
11/097,664
Granted
Apr 22, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

System for providing dynamic group and service assignments. In one embodiment, a method is provided for dynamically assigning regional groups and service providers to provide services for equipment. The method includes determining that the equipment has moved into a selected regional group, and assigning the equipment to the selected regional group. The method also includes selecting a service provider associated with the selected regional group, and assigning the service provider to provide services for the equipment.

Claims (67)

1. A method for dynamically assigning regional groups and service providers to provide maintenance and repair services for heavy equipment, the method comprising:

receiving, at a hub apparatus, position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment being previously assigned to a first selected regional group corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned to a corresponding first service provider for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first selected regional group;

determining that the heavy equipment has moved from the first geographic region to a second geographic region, based on the position information received from the heavy equipment;

assigning the heavy equipment to a second selected regional group triggered by the determining step;

selecting a second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group;

assigning the second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and

transmitting, from the hub apparatus and based on the assigning of the second service provider, un-assignment information to the first service provider via a data network, wherein the un-assignment information informs the first service provider that the first service provider is no longer responsible for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of assigning the heavy equipment comprises updating the position information in database.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting comprises selecting the second service provider from a database that relates one or more service providers to the second selected regional group.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of assigning the second service provider comprises transmitting assignment information to the second service provider via the data network.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of assigning the heavy equipment comprises updating regional group un-assignment information in a database.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising defining one or more regional groups wherein each of the one or more regional groups is associated with one or more service providers for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising notifying a third party about the selected second regional group and the second service provider for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether a parameter associated with the heavy equipment indicates that the heavy equipment should be statically or dynamically assigned to a regional group and a service provider; and

wherein performing the assigning of the second selected regional group and the assigning of the second service provider is based on the parameter indicating that the heavy equipment should be dynamically assigned.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

creating a virtual fence around the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is at a particular location;

wherein receiving the position information further comprises receiving at a first rate when the heavy equipment is within the virtual fence and at a second rate greater than the first rate when the heavy equipment is outside of the virtual fence.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

creating a virtual fence around the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is at a particular location;

wherein receiving the position information further comprises only receiving when the heavy equipment is outside of the virtual fence.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

creating a virtual fence around the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is at a particular location;

wherein receiving the position information further comprises receiving when the heavy equipment is moved across the virtual fence; and

receiving status information relating to the heavy equipment when the heavy equipment is moved across the virtual fence.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the position information further comprises receiving based on a trigger event corresponding to at least one of engine hours, or engine temperature, or oil pressure, each of the heavy equipment.

13. A hub apparatus for dynamically assigning regional groups and service providers to provide maintenance and repair services for heavy equipment, the apparatus comprising:

a transceiver receive position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment being previously assigned to a first selected regional group corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned to a corresponding first service provider for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first selected regional group;

a processor configured to:

determine that the heavy equipment has moved from a first geographic region to a second geographic region, based on the position information received from the heavy equipment;

assign the heavy equipment to a second selected regional group, triggered by determining that the heavy equipment has moved from the first geographic region to the second geographic region;

select a second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group;

assign the second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and

wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit, from the hub apparatus and based on the assigning of the second service provider, un-assignment information to the first service provider via a data network, wherein the un-assignment information informs the first service provider that the first service provider is no longer responsible for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a database, wherein the processor is further configured to assign the heavy equipment by updating the position information in the database.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a database that relates one or more service providers to the selected regional group, wherein the processor is further configured to select the second service provider from the database.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to assign the second service provider by transmitting assignment information to the second service provider via the data network.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a database, wherein the processor is further configured to update regional group un-assignment information in the database.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to define one or more regional groups wherein each of the one or more regional groups is associated with one or more service providers for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to notify a third party about the second selected regional group and the second service provider for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

20. A hub apparatus for dynamically assigning regional groups and service providers to provide maintenance and repair services for heavy equipment, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment being previously assigned to a first selected regional group corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned to a corresponding first service provider for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first selected regional group;

means for determining that the heavy equipment has moved from the first geographic region to a second geographic region, based on the position information received from the heavy equipment;

means for assigning the heavy equipment to a second selected regional group, wherein the means for assigning is triggered by the means for determining that the heavy equipment has moved from the first geographic region to the second geographic region;

means for selecting a second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and

means for assigning the second selected service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and

means for transmitting, from the hub apparatus and based on the assigning of the second service provider, un-assignment information to the first service provider via a data network, wherein the un-assignment information informs the first service provider that the first service provider is no longer responsible for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for assigning the heavy equipment comprises means for updating the positional information in a database.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for selecting comprises means for selecting the second service provider from a database that relates one or more service providers to the second selected regional group.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for assigning the second service provider comprises means for transmitting assignment information to the second service provider via the data network.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for assigning the heavy equipment comprises means for updating regional group un-assignment information in a database.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising means for defining one or more regional groups wherein each of the one or more regional groups is associated with one or more service providers for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising means for notifying a third party about the second selected regional group and the second service provider.

27. A non-transitory computer program executable by a hub apparatus comprising program instructions for dynamically assigning regional groups and service providers to provide services for heavy equipment, said non-transitory computer program comprising:

program instructions to receive, at the hub apparatus, position information of the heavy equipment, the heavy equipment being previously assigned to a first selected regional group corresponding to a first geographic region and previously assigned to a corresponding first service provider for maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment associated with the first selected regional group;

program instructions to determine that the heavy equipment has moved from a first geographic region to a second geographic region, based on the position information received from the heavy equipment;

program instructions to assign the heavy equipment to a second selected regional group, wherein the assignment is triggered by the determination that the heavy equipment has moved from a first predetermined geographic region to a second predetermined geographic region;

program instruction to select a second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and

program instructions to assign the second service provider to provide the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment in the second selected regional group; and

program instructions to transmit, from the hub apparatus and based on the assigning of the second service provider, un-assignment information to the first service provider via a data network, wherein the un-assignment information informs the first service provider that the first service provider is no longer responsible for the maintenance and repair services of the heavy equipment.

28. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27 , wherein the program instructions to assign the heavy equipment comprise program instructions for updating the position information in a database.

29. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27 , wherein the program instructions to select comprise program instructions for selecting the second service provider from a database that relates one or more service providers for the maintenance and repair services to the selected regional group.

30. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27 , wherein the program instructions to assign the second service provider comprise program instructions for transmitting assignment information to the second service provider via the data network.

31. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27 , wherein the program instructions to assign the heavy equipment comprise program instructions for updating regional group un-assignment information in a database.

32. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27 , further comprising program instructions to define one or more regional groups wherein each of the one or more regional groups is associated with one or more service providers for the maintenance and repair services for the heavy equipment.

33. The non-transitory computer program of claim 27 , further comprising program instructions to notify a third party about the second selected regional group and the second service provider for the maintenance and repair services.

Assignments (15)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER D856640 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 056598 FRAME 0059. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058175/0775 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER D856640 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 056601 FRAME 0630. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058174/0907 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056601/0630 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056598/0059 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 045723/0359) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS GRANTEE
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 056516/0442 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 053983/0570) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS GRANTEE
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 056518/0684 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: OMNITRACS, LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 053983/0570 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT OF REEL/FRAME 031765/0877 Recorded Mar 26, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045920/0845 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2018
From: OMNITRACS , LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Reel/Frame 045723/0359 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT OF REEL/FRAME 031765/0877 Recorded Mar 26, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045727/0398 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jan 25, 2017
From: OMNITRACS, LLC
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 041492/0939 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2014
From: OMNITRACS, INC.
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 032176/0958 →
PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 6, 2014
From: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
To: OMNITRACS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032165/0054 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 13, 2013
From: OMNITRACS, INC.
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 031814/0843 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 5, 2013
From: OMNITRACS, INC.
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 031765/0877 →