Loading dock alert report system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9777529-B2
Application number	US-201313967085-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2013
Priority date	Jan 13, 2005
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A system and method for remotely controlling loading dock components is disclosed that includes a distribution center having at least one dock station for exchanging materials and a dock component configured to in at least two operational states. An actuator is included that is configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal. A mobile remote control is configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component and at least one predefined non-activation zone is included such that changing of operational state of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A docking station peripheral monitoring apparatus for use in a distribution center having at least one docking station configured to receive a trailer comprising:
a plurality of peripherals associated with the at least one docking station and configured to facilitate material exchange between the trailer and the distribution center through the docking station; and
a computer system configured to:
monitor an operation of the plurality of peripherals;
store the operation of the plurality of peripherals in a storage medium associated with the computer system; and
restrict the operation of the plurality of peripherals in accordance with a workflow procedure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer system is further configured to track progress of an operator engaged in the workflow procedure utilizing the plurality of peripherals.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the computer system is further configured to generate a signal when the operator deviates from the workflow procedure, and store an indication of any deviations in the storage medium of the computer system.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the computer system is further configured to generate at least one of a warning and a report, and wherein the report includes at least one of a progress report showing progress of the operator and a condition report showing a condition of at least one peripheral.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the condition report includes at least one of a trailer presence status, a vehicle restraint status, a dumping of air-ride suspension status, a positioning of tandem/bogey wheel axle status, a restraint confirmation camera image status, a dock door status, and a dock leveler status.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer system generates a signal indicating a deviation in the operation of the plurality of peripherals.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the signal generates a warning sent to at least one of the operator and a supervisor, the warning being at least one of an audible warning and a visual warning.

8. A distribution center alert/reporting system for use in a distribution center having at least one dock for exchanging material with a respective trailer comprising:
a tracking system configured to track a workflow through a docking operation procedure having a plurality of steps; and
an alert system configured to generate an alert when the workflow deviates from the docking operation procedure within a workflow protocol.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the alert system is configured to send the alert to at least one of an equipment operator, a supervisor, and a central processing system.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the alert is at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the central processing system generates at least one report comprising one of an operation report and a status report.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the report includes at least one of a workflow of a docking operation procedure and dock status during a docking operation procedure.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the dock status includes at least one of a trailer presence status, a vehicle restraint status, a air-ride suspension dumping status, a tandem/bogey wheel axle position status, a confirmation camera status, a dock door status, and a dock leveler status.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the tracking system includes an electronic identification wearable by an operator to track operator location.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the tracking system uses the electronic identification to determine operator location with respect to at least one activation zone and at least one non-activation zone.

16. The system of claim 8 further comprising an operator graphical user interface (GUI) having feedback showing operator efficiency within the workflow protocol.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the feedback is real-time feedback.

18. The system of claim 8 further comprising:
a trailer presence sub-system;
a trailer restraint sub-system;
a visual confirmation sub-system;
a remote control door sub-system;
a leveler sub-system; and
wherein each sub-system communicates data with a data storage medium which is accessible by the alert system.

Assignees

• Rite Hite Holding Corp

Inventors

• Mcneill Matthew C
• Nelson Kyle E
• Horton Richard A

Classifications

• E05F15/77 Primary

  using wireless control · CPC title

• B65G69/005 Primary

  the means engaging at least one wheel of the vehicle · CPC title

• G06Q10/063114

  Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group · CPC title

• B60S9/02

  for only lifting or supporting · CPC title

• G05B15/02

  electric · CPC title