Abstract: Location tracking devices and methods are provided to determine the position of a mobile asset. The method provides a processing system to calculate the location of the mobile asset, based on the information provided by a position determining device. The method for tracking the location of an asset utilizes a wireless device in an asset management system, and includes receiving at least one short range RF communication signal by a mobile wireless device from the asset management system; calculating position of the asset, by the mobile wireless device, based on the received at least one short range RF communication signal; and storing the position of the asset in the mobile wireless device.

Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system and device for limiting the functionality of a mobile asset (e.g., vehicle) capable of performing a plurality of mobile asset functions. The device includes an asset monitor, a mobile wireless transceiver, and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a first mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the first mobile asset. The mobile wireless transceiver is adapted to interface with a management computer. The mobile asset processor is adapted to receive the monitored data from the asset monitor; determine that a first mobile asset function of the plurality of mobile asset functions should be limited; and limit operation of the first mobile asset function. The mobile asset control device can be adapted to override the functionality of the mobile asset, based on the navigation, relative location of the mobile asset, or business rules.

Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system for managing data associated with mobile assets (e.g., vehicles). The system includes an asset monitor, a user input device, a data storage device, a mobile wireless transceiver and a mobile asset processor. The asset monitor is in communication with a mobile asset for collecting monitored data associated with the mobile asset. The user input device is adapted to receive input data from a user. The data storage device is adapted to store the monitored data and input data. The mobile asset processor is adapted to determine that an event associated with the mobile asset has initiated; receive the collected data associated with the event from the asset monitor; determine that the event has completed; and store the collected data to the data storage device.

Abstract: An automated vehicle rental system with individual vehicle transmitting sensors for keeping track of vehicle mileage, fill state of vehicle fuel tank, and localized position status in a rental lot. Sensors are linked to the vehicle odometer reading and to the vehicle fuel tank float sensor with compensation for types of driving and fuel fill-ups which affect float level readings. The sensors are integrated with or are linked with communicating tags operable in a defined site for ultimate communication of stored vehicle related sensor data, vehicle location and type to a central data base for automatically completely effecting check out, charges and state of vehicle readiness for renewed rental. The transmitting sensors are adapted to avoid interference between sensors of other vehicles during multiple transmissions. Also included is an in-vehicle check out and payment device operatively linkable to the transmitting sensor of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated vehicle rental system with individual vehicle transmitting sensors for keeping track of vehicle mileage, fill state of vehicle fuel tank, and localized position status in a rental lot. Sensors are linked to the vehicle odometer reading and to the vehicle fuel tank float sensor with compensation for types of driving and fuel fill-ups which affect float level readings. The sensors are integrated with or are linked with communicating tags operable in a defined site for ultimate communication of stored vehicle related sensor data, vehicle location and type to a central data base for automatically completely effecting check out, charges and state of vehicle readiness for renewed rental. The transmitting sensors are adapted to avoid interference between sensors of other vehicles during multiple transmissions. Also included is an in-vehicle check out and payment device operatively linkable to the transmitting sensor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items in the environment. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over the wireless interface, through one of the gateways, to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to identifications of certain RFID tagged items to be manipulated which were identified in the received instruction.

Abstract: A vehicle provided with means to prevent the use of the vehicle, or access to it, by unauthorized persons is described. The method includes receiving an operator identifier from a certain operator; determining a group identifier associated with the received operator identifier, the group identifier being indicative of a group of one or more potential operators authorized to operate the asset; determining, based on the group identifier and the received operator identifier, whether the certain operator is one of the potential operators and thus authorized to utilize the asset; and communicating with the asset to enable usage of the asset by the certain operator in response to successfully determining that the certain operator is authorized to utilize the asset.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering information from an operator of an asset is provided. The system interfaces with a management computer to provide a list of questions for response by the operator. A wireless infrastructure operates to distribute the list of questions from the management computer to the operator. The wireless infrastructure includes an asset communicator having a wireless communication device for communicating the questions, a processing unit, a storage unit for storing the questions and responses thereto, a display unit for displaying the questions, and input unit for the operator to input such responses. The processing unit is operable to prompt the operator with a first question, receive a response from the operator to the first question, select another question based on the response, and prompt the operator with yet another question.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing unauthorized use of a mobile asset are described. The method for providing access to the mobile asset can include providing a control device on the mobile asset. The control device is in communication with the mobile asset to selectively control whether the mobile asset is enabled for operation. The method also includes storing data in the control device that identifies a group of potential operators who are permitted to operate that mobile asset. This stored data includes unique password data for each potential operator in the permitted group. Further, the method includes receiving an identifier and password from an accessing operator and comparing by the control device of the received identifier to the stored data to order confirm that the accessing operator is a potential operator.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items in the environment. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over the wireless interface, through one of the gateways, to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to identifications of certain RFID tagged items to be manipulated which were identified in the received instruction.

Abstract: An automated vehicle rental system with individual vehicle transmitting sensors for keeping track of vehicle mileage, fill state of vehicle fuel tank, and localized position status in a rental lot. Sensors are linked to the vehicle odometer reading and to the vehicle fuel tank float sensor with compensation for types of driving and fuel fill-ups which affect float level readings. The sensors are integrated with or are linked with communicating tags operable in a defined site for ultimate communication of stored vehicle related sensor data, vehicle location and type to a central data base for automatically completely effecting check out, charges and state of vehicle readiness for renewed rental. The transmitting sensors are adapted to avoid interference between sensors of other vehicles during multiple transmissions. Also included is an in-vehicle check out and payment device operatively linkable to the transmitting sensor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items in the environment. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over the wireless interface, through one of the gateways, to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to identifications of certain RFID tagged items to be manipulated which were identified in the received instruction.

Abstract: A commercially acceptable solution to provide for monitoring battery voltage of an asset, managing charging of batteries of a group of assets, and managing scheduled maintenance of assets may utilize system architecture having intelligent wireless devices associated with the individual assets. The use of intelligent wireless devices allows for the asset management system to operate and maintain functionality substantially without loss of data in the event of a loss of communication between the wireless devices and a management computing system via a network, including an out-of-range condition of the wireless devices with respect to a local monitor.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items in the environment. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over the wireless interface, through one of the gateways, to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to identifications of certain RFID tagged items to be manipulated which were identified in the received instruction.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items in the environment. A communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over the wireless interface, through one of the gateways, to the central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to identifications of certain RFID tagged items to be manipulated which were identified in the received instruction.

Abstract: A mobile portal for RFID applications includes an RFID reader for reading identifications of proximately located RFID tagged items and a communicator for communicating with a central computer. The communicator is coupled to the RFID reader to receive the read identifications and then communicate the received read identifications over a wireless interface to a central data processing system. Each mobile portal may be actuated for RFID read operations in response to information sensed concerning operation of the mobile asset/vehicle. Additionally, the central data processing system may issue instructions concerning mobile asset/vehicle operation, with those instructions communicated over the wireless interface to the mobile portal. Responsive to implementation of those instructions, the mobile portal actuates the RFID reader and compares the read identifications to a list of RFID tags that were expected to be read.

Abstract: A commercially viable solution for providing an asset management system that provides for accessing assets, tracking location of assets, managing OSHA compliance of the assets, and monitoring impact of the assets. The asset management system may utilize system architecture having intelligent wireless devices associated with the individual assets. The use of intelligent wireless devices allows for the asset management system to operate and maintain functionality substantially without loss of data in the event of a loss of communication between the wireless devices and a management computing system via a network, including an out-of-range condition of the wireless devices with respect to a local monitor.

Abstract: An impact detection system and method for use with a mobile asset is described. The system includes a user input unit, a sensor, a processing unit, and a storage unit. The user input unit receives an operator identifier from the asset before the asset is operated. The sensor is coupled to the asset and adapted to sense an impact on the asset, and operable to produce an impact signal. The processing unit is in communication with the input and the sensor, operable to receive the impact signal from the sensor, and further operable to determine, based on the impact signal, a level of impact on the asset. The storage unit is in communication with the processing unit and can store the operator identifier and level of impact as a dataset. The method includes receiving an operator identifier of the asset prior to the asset being operated, receiving at least one impact signal, determining, based on the at least one impact signal, a level of impact, and storing the operator identifier and level of impact as a dataset.

Abstract: A vehicle control device is provided to analyze data associated with assets monitored by an asset management system. The system includes a database, a computing unit, software executable by the computing unit, and a display device. The database contains data associated with the monitored assets. The computing unit is in communication with the database. The software is executable by the computing unit and operable to: receive a request to select specific data associated with the assets; and process the selected data to form a dataset based to generate a report of the asset management system. The display device is in communication with the computing unit, and is operable to receive and display at least a portion of the dataset.

Abstract: Location tracking devices and methods are provided to determine the position of a mobile asset. The method provides a processing system to calculate the location of the mobile asset, based on the information provided by a position determining device. The method for tracking the location of an asset utilizes a wireless device in an asset management system, and includes receiving at least one short range RF communication signal by a mobile wireless device from the asset management system; calculating position of the asset, by the mobile wireless device, based on the received at least one short range RF communication signal; and storing the position of the asset in the mobile wireless device.