Remote loading dock authorization systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11548743-B2
Application number	US-202117232910-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 16, 2021
Priority date	Dec 6, 2018
Publication date	Jan 10, 2023
Grant date	Jan 10, 2023

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring components of a loading dock station that implement a remote monitoring and authorization system are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide information regarding the status of various components of the loading dock station to a remote monitoring and authorization control unit, where a supervisor or the like is capable of reviewing real time information regarding the status of the components and progress through and adherence to a workflow protocol. The systems and methods can also provide for authorization requests to be sent to the remote monitoring and authorization control unit, such as requests to override certain components of the docking station. The user at the remote monitoring and authorization control unit can then grant or deny requests based on status information and other data provided at the remote monitoring and authorization control unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for use with a loading dock station, the system comprising:
a vehicle identification system having an input device for identifying a vehicle at the loading dock station; and
a docking station control unit communicatively coupled to the vehicle identification system, the docking station control unit being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the docking station control unit to:
receive a signal from the vehicle identification system; and
determine, based on the signal, if the vehicle is validated or not validated, wherein:
if the vehicle is validated, automatically transmit a first message to a communication device separate from the docking station control unit, the communication device being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to—
receive the first message from the dock station control unit;
provide the first message to a user, the first message indicating that the vehicle is validated; and
receive an approval input or a disapproval input from the first user, wherein, in response to receiving the approval input, transmit an approval signal to the dock station control unit that causes the dock station control unit to initiate an automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station for interaction with the vehicle, and wherein, in response to receiving the disapproval input, transmit a disapproval signal to the dock station control unit that prevents the dock station control unit from initiating the automated workflow protocol;

if the vehicle is not validated—
not initiate the automated workflow protocol; and
automatically transmit a second message to the communication device, wherein the communication device is further programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to—
 receive the second message from the dock station control unit; and
 provide the second message to the user, the second message indicating that the vehicle is not valid.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein initiating the automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station causes initiation of an automated process for engaging a vehicle restraint.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein receipt of the approval signal by the dock station control unit results in automatic performance of the first step in the automated workflow protocol.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user is an operator of the loading dock station.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a mobile device and the first and/or second messages comprise a text message, a push notification, a mobile application notification, a voice message, an email, or a combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the mobile device is at least one of a laptop, a tablet, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a mobile platform, a satellite phone, a personal digital assistant, or a pager.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input device receives information about the vehicle from an identification tag on the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input device is at least one of camera or a scanner.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second messages and the approval and/or disapproval signals are transmitted via a wireless network.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the wireless network is an Internet of Things wireless network.

11. A system for use with a loading dock station, the system comprising:
a vehicle identification system having a sensor for detecting a vehicle at the loading dock station; and
a docking station control unit communicatively coupled to the vehicle identification system, the docking station control unit being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the docking station control unit to:
receive a signal from the vehicle identification system; and
determine, based on the signal, if the vehicle is validated or not validated, wherein:
if the vehicle is validated, initiate an automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station for interaction with the vehicle; and
if the vehicle is not validated, automatically transmit information related to a deviation request to a communication device separate from the docking station control unit, the communication device being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to—
receive the deviation request from the dock station control unit;
provide information related to the deviation request to a user; and
receive an approval input or a disapproval input from the user in response to the information in the deviation request, wherein, in response to receiving the approval input, transmit an approval signal to the dock station control unit that causes the dock station control unit to initiate a workflow protocol of the loading dock station for interaction with the vehicle, and wherein, in response to receiving the disapproval input, transmit a disapproval signal to the dock station control unit that prevents the dock station control unit from initiating the automated workflow protocol.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the providing the information related to the deviation request to the user includes at least one of a visual signal or an audible signal.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein initiating the automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station causes initiation of an automated process for engaging a vehicle restraint.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein receipt of the approval signal by the docking station control unit results in automatic performance of the first step in the automated workflow protocol.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein receipt of the approval signal by the docking station control unit results in unlocking of the loading dock station.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the user is an operator of the loading dock station.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the deviation request includes information about the vehicle based on an identification tag of the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the deviation request seeks permission for the docking station control unit to initiate the automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station based on one or more of: availability of appropriate alternate loading dock stations; suitability of the load of the vehicle for unloading at the particular loading dock station; operation efficiency; likelihood of next available loading dock station; dock station down time; and vehicle wait time.

Assignees

• Assa Abloy Entrance Systems Ab

Inventors

• Hoofard Richard K
• Day Daryl

Classifications

• G06Q10/06316 Primary

  Sequencing of tasks or work · CPC title

• H04L2209/84

  Vehicles · CPC title

• B65G69/2882 Primary

  operated by detectors or sensors · CPC title

• B65G69/003

  Restraining movement of a vehicle at a loading station using means not being part of the vehicle · CPC title

• G06Q10/083

  Shipping · CPC title