IP Library Granted Patent US 10,380,905
Granted Patent B2
US 10,380,905 · App. 13/730,237 · Granted Aug 13, 2019

Network communications for transportation management

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,380,905
App. No.
13/730,237
Granted
Aug 13, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A network device includes a memory, a display, a user interface, and a network communication module configured to receive vehicle data, driver information, and driver communications, at pre-determined times, from a plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices via a long-range wireless network. The network communication module is further configured to send and receive network communications with one or more of the portable wireless data transfer and display devices via the long-range wireless network. The network device is configured to present the vehicle data, the driver information, the driver communication, and the network communications from the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices via the display. The user interface is configured to allow for selection of the drivers presented and is configured to accept user inputs of network communications via the user interface.

Claims (69)

1. A network device comprising:

a memory;

a display;

a user interface; and

a processor configured to receive driver communications and electronic reports generated by a plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices associated with a plurality of vehicles via a long-range wireless network, wherein the electronic reports include vehicle data, driver information including driver inputs used to identify a plurality of drivers associated with the plurality of vehicles, and hours of service information,

wherein the network device is configured to store the electronic reports and the driver communications in the memory,

wherein the network device is configured to present the electronic reports and the driver communications received from the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices via the display,

wherein the user interface is configured to allow for selection of one or more vehicles or drivers associated with the presented electronic reports and is configured to accept messaging input relating to a network communication including a form in response to the presented electronic reports,

wherein the processor is further configured to:

send the network communication including the form to one or more of the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices associated with the selected one or more vehicles or drivers, via the long-range wireless network;

receive subscriber information from a remote subscriber device in a network, wherein the subscriber information associates a subscriber with one or more of the electronic reports from one or more of the plurality of the portable wireless data transfer and display devices;

receive a request for a subscription report from the remote subscriber device;

process the subscriber information and the associated one or more of the electronic reports into the subscription report; and

send the subscription report to the remote subscriber device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the network communication further comprises a destination picture.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the electronic reports and the driver communications in real-time or at intervals that approximate real-time, from at least one of the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices via the long-range wireless network.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the intervals that approximate real-time are selected from a group consisting of:

intervals less than 5 minutes;

intervals less than 3 minutes;

intervals less than 2 minutes;

intervals less than 1 minute; and

intervals less than 30 seconds.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a management communication module configured to send at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communications, or a driver summary electronic reports to one or more specified remote computers.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein, the network device is configured to upload at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communications, or a driver summary electronic report to at least one website via a website communication module.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the network device is configured to present at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communications, or a driver summary electronic reports according to programmable categories and subgroups to a user via the display.

8. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic reports comprise respective driver summary electronic reports each including a respective driver's record of duty processed locally by a corresponding one of the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices.

9. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices include cellular phones.

10. The network device of claim 1 , wherein driver inputs include passwords, electronic tags, or RF readable tags.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the network communication further comprises a signature.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the network communication further comprises a landmark picture.

13. A network device comprising:

means for receiving driver communications and electronic reports generated by a plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices associated with a plurality of vehicles via a long-range wireless network, wherein the electronic reports include vehicle data, driver information including driver inputs used to identify a plurality of drivers associated with the plurality of vehicles, and hours of service information;

means for storing the electronic reports and the driver communications;

means for presenting the electronic reports and the driver communications received from the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices;

means for accepting a selection of one or more vehicles or drivers associated with the presented electronic reports;

means for accepting messaging input relating to a network communication including a form in response to the presented electronic reports;

means for sending the network communication including the form to one or more portable wireless data transfer and display devices associated with the selected one or more vehicles or drivers, via the long-range wireless network;

means for receiving subscriber information from a remote subscriber device in a network, wherein the subscriber information associates a subscriber with one or more of the electronic reports from one or more of the plurality of the portable wireless data transfer and display devices;

means for receiving a request for a subscription report from the remote subscriber device;

means for processing the subscriber information and the associated one or more of the electronic reports into the subscription report; and

means for sending the subscription report to the remote subscriber device.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the network communication further comprises one or more of:

a destination picture;

a signature; or

a landmark picture.

15. The device of claim 13 , further comprising means for sending at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communications, or a driver summary electronic reports to one or more specified remote computers.

16. The device of claim 13 , further comprising means for uploading at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communication, or a driver summary electronic report to at least one website via a website communication module.

17. The device of claim 13 , further comprising means for presenting at least one of: electronic reports, the driver communications, or driver summary electronic reports according to programmable categories and subgroups to a user via the display.

18. A method comprising:

receiving driver communications and electronic reports generated by a plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices associated with a plurality of vehicles via a long-range wireless network, wherein the electronic reports include vehicle data, driver information including driver inputs used to identify a plurality of drivers associated with the plurality of vehicles, and hours of service information;

storing the electronic reports and the driver communications;

presenting the electronic reports and the driver communications received from the plurality of portable wireless data transfer and display devices;

receiving a selection of one or more vehicles or drivers associated with the presented electronic reports and the driver communications;

accepting messaging input relating to a network communication including a form in response to the presented electronic reports;

sending the network communication including the form to one or more portable wireless data transfer and display devices associated with the selected one or more vehicles or drivers, via the long-range wireless network;

receiving subscriber information from a remote subscriber device in a network, wherein the subscriber information associates a subscriber with one or more of the electronic reports from one or more of the plurality of the portable wireless data transfer and display devices;

receiving a request for a subscription report from the remote subscriber device;

processing the subscriber information and the associated one or more of the electronic reports into the subscription report; and

sending the subscription report to the remote subscriber device.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the network communication further comprises one or more of:

a destination picture;

a signature;

or

a landmark picture.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising sending at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communications, or a driver summary electronic reports to one or more specified remote computers.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising uploading at least one of: the electronic reports, the driver communications, or a driver summary electronic report to at least one website via a website communication module.

22. The method of claim 18 , further comprising presenting at least one of: electronic reports, driver communications, or driver summary electronic reports according to programmable categories and subgroups to a user via the display.

23. The method of claim 18 , wherein the network communication further comprises a safety warning.

24. The method of claim 18 , wherein the network communication further comprises a work request.

Assignments (12)
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: 045352/0749) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS GRANTEE
To: XRS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056516/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 053983 0562) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS GRANTEE
To: XRS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056518/0415 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT OF REEL/FRAME 034088/0728 Recorded Mar 26, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: XRS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045727/0447 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT OF REEL/FRAME 034088/0728 Recorded Mar 26, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: XRS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045727/0432 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2018
From: XRS CORPORATION
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Reel/Frame 045352/0749 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2014
From: XRS CORPORATION
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034088/0904 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2014
From: XRS CORPORATION
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034088/0728 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2013
From: MOHN, CHARLES; SEKULA, CHRISTOPHER A.; KAKUMANU, SARAT; TUTTLE, ODELL R.; FUGELWICZ, DANIEL P.; ANDERSON, PETER S.; MARTIN, JR., THOMAS J.
To: XRS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031587/0361 →