IP Library Granted Patent US 10,902,723
Granted Patent B2
US 10,902,723 · App. 16/273,401 · Granted Jan 26, 2021

System and method for managing movable objects

Inventor: Marquis D. Doyle, III (Lewisville, NC)
Assignee: OMNITRACS, LLC
G08G1/127G08G1/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,902,723
App. No.
16/273,401
Granted
Jan 26, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a plurality of movable objects are disclosed. The systems and methods include determining a proposed pairing of a first movable object and a second movable object and confirming a coupling of the proposed pairing based on, at least in part on, detecting that the first movable object and the second movable object are moving in unison.

Claims (56)

1. A method for locating and pairing a plurality of movable objects in a wireless communications system, comprising:

receiving, at a network management center (NMC) and from a first asset tracking unit located at the truck tractor, a first radio frequency transmission comprising first location information associated with the truck tractor, wherein the first asset tracking unit wirelessly transmits the first location information of the truck tractor to the NMC;

receiving, at the NMC and from a second asset tracking unit located at the truck trailer, a second radio frequency transmission comprising second location information associated with the truck trailer based at least in part on a second asset tracking unit located at the truck trailer, wherein the second asset tracking unit wirelessly transmits the second location information of the truck trailer to the NMC;

determining location coordinates of the truck tractor and the truck trailer based at least in part on the first location information and the second location information;

generating, by the NMC, a notification indicating that the truck tractor should proceed to physical couple the truck tractor and the truck trailer, wherein the notification includes at least the location coordinates of the truck trailer in order to allow the truck tractor to identify the truck trailer; and

transmitting, by the NMC, the notification to a mobile computing platform located in the truck tractor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, at the NMC, whether the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on a change in the location information of the truck tractor and the truck trailer; and

generating a pairing confirmation that the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on the change in the location information indicating that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are moving in unison.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on a change in the location information of each of the truck tractor and the truck trailer; and

generating a pairing rejection notification that indicates an improper coupling of the truck tractor and the truck trailer based on the change in the location information indicating that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are not moving in unison.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

authenticating the proposed pairing by determining that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are co-located; and

wherein transmitting the notification to proceed with the physical coupling is based on the authenticating of the proposed pairing.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that a first location of the truck tractor and a second location of a truck trailer deviate by a predetermined distance; and

determining that a physical decoupling event has occurred based on the determining that the first location of the truck tractor and the second location of the truck trailer deviate by the predetermined distance.

6. A network-based control computer for locating and pairing a plurality of movable objects in a wireless communications system, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions;

a processor communicatively coupled with the memory, the processor configured to executed the instructions to:

receive, at a network management center (NMC) and from a first asset tracking unit located at the truck tractor, a first radio frequency transmission comprising first location information associated with the truck tractor, wherein the first asset tracking unit wirelessly transmits the first location information of the truck tractor to the NMC;

receive, at the NMC and from a second asset tracking unit located at the truck trailer, a second radio frequency transmission comprising second location information associated with the truck trailer, wherein the second asset tracking unit wirelessly transmits the second location information of the truck trailer to the NMC;

determine location coordinates of the truck tractor and the truck trailer based at least in part on the first location information and the second location information;

generate, by the NMC, a notification indicating that the truck tractor should proceed to physical couple the truck tractor and the truck trailer, wherein the notification includes at least the location coordinates of the truck trailer in order to allow the truck tractor to identify the truck trailer; and

transmit, by the NMC, the notification to a mobile computing platform located in the truck tractor.

7. The network-based control computer of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to executed the instructions to:

determine, by the NMC, whether the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on a change in the location information of the truck tractor and the truck trailer; and

generate a pairing confirmation that the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on the change in the location information indicating that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are moving in unison.

8. The network-based control computer of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to executed the instructions to:

determine, by the NMC, whether the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on a change in the location information of at least one of the truck tractor and the truck trailer; and

generate a pairing rejection notification that indicates an improper coupling of the truck tractor and the truck trailer based on the change in the location information indicating that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are not moving in unison.

9. The network-based control computer of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to executed the instructions to:

authenticate the proposed pairing by determining that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are co-located; and

wherein transmitting the notification to proceed with the physical coupling is based on the authenticating of the proposed pairing.

10. The network-based control computer of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to executed the instructions to:

determine that a first location of the truck tractor and a second location of the truck trailer deviate by a predetermined distance; and

determining that a physical decoupling event has occurred based on the determining that the first location of the truck tractor and the second location of the truck trailer deviate by the predetermined distance.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, executable by a processor of a network-based control computer for locating and pairing a plurality of movable objects in a wireless communications system, comprising instructions for:

receiving, at a network management center (NMC) and from a first radio frequency transmission comprising first asset tracking unit located at the truck tractor, a first location information associated with the truck tractor, wherein the first asset tracking unit wirelessly transmits the first location information of the truck tractor to the NMC;

receiving, at the NMC and from a second asset tracking unit located at the truck trailer, a second radio frequency transmission comprising second location information associated with the truck trailer, wherein the second asset tracking unit wirelessly transmits the second location information of the truck trailer to the NMC;

determining location coordinates of the truck tractor and the truck trailer based at least in part on the first location information and the second location information;

generating, by the NMC, a notification indicating that the truck tractor should proceed to physical couple the truck tractor and the truck trailer, wherein the notification includes at least the location coordinates of the truck trailer in order to allow the truck tractor to identify the truck trailer; and

transmitting, by the NMC, the notification to a mobile computing platform located in the truck tractor.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising instructions for:

determining, by the NMC, whether the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on a change in the location information of the truck tractor and the truck trailer; and

generating a pairing confirmation that the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on the change in the location information indicating that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are moving in unison.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising instructions for:

determining whether the truck tractor and the truck trailer have physically coupled based on a change in the location information of the truck tractor and the truck trailer; and

generating a pairing rejection notification that indicates an improper coupling of the truck tractor and the truck trailer based on the change in the location information indicating that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are not moving in unison.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising instructions for:

authenticating the proposed pairing by determining that the truck tractor and the truck trailer are co-located; and

wherein transmitting the notification to proceed with the physical coupling is based on the authenticating of the proposed pairing.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising instructions for:

determining that a first location of the truck tractor and a second location of a truck trailer deviate by a predetermined distance; and

determining that a physical decoupling event has occurred based on the determining that the first location of the truck tractor and the second location of the truck trailer deviate by the predetermined distance.

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: 049334/0531) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS GRANTEE
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 056516/0875 →
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 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: OMNITRACS, INC.
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 054826/0091 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: OMNITRACS, LLC
To: OMNITRACS, LLC
Reel/Frame 054826/0055 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
To: OMNITRACS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054826/0027 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: DOYLE, MARQUIS D., III
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 054720/0760 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: OMNITRACS, LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 053983/0570 →
SUPPLEMENTAL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 31, 2019
From: OMNITRACS, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049334/0531 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,693,396