Abstract: A bolt seal including a pin and a barrel where the barrel has a storage position on the pin and a lock position on the pin, the bolt seal optionally including a restrainer and optionally being packaged in a container in a common orientation with other bolt seals.

Abstract: A ratcheting chain binder including a mechanical release to allowing the body to be freely moveable up to a fully extended position.

Abstract: A strap detection system for detecting if strap such as a load securing strap is torn or in need of replacement. The system includes an electric device on the strap in communication with a detection module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting and monitoring the tension of a cargo restraint and for tracking the usage of and monitoring the lifecycle of a cargo restraint.

Abstract: A band seal having a strap including a head portion, a tail portion and a middle portion, a retainer, an adhesive pad and a release liner secured to the adhesive pad, wherein the band seal is positionable into three positions including a pre-attached position wherein the middle portion of the strap is in a non-looped orientation, a temporary position wherein the middle portion of the strap is in a looped orientation and the retainer holds the middle portion in this looped orientation with the tail portion being concentric with the middle portion, and an attached position wherein the release liner is removed from the adhesive pad and the tail portion is secured to the adhesive pad.

Abstract: A bolt seal including a pin and a barrel where the barrel has a storage position on the pin and a lock position on the pin, the bolt seal optionally including a restrainer and optionally being packaged in a container in a common orientation with other bolt seals.

Abstract: A system for handling a driving while disconnected event. One example includes an electronic logging device configured to be connected to a vehicle and a mobile device. The mobile device includes an electronic processor configured to determine a connection status between the mobile device and the electronic logging device; determine movement of the mobile device; and determine whether the mobile device is connected to the electronic logging device based on the connection status. In response to determining the mobile device is not connected to the electronic logging device, the electronic processor generates driving information associated with a user of the mobile device and movement of the mobile device; transmits the driving information to an external device; and generates a user-perceivable notification to connect the mobile device to the electronic logging device.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a placard holder and, more specifically, to a placard holder capable of being mounted to a curved surface.

Abstract: An electronic logging device dongle. In one example, dongle includes a housing and a circuit board located within the housing. The housing includes circuitry configured to perform at least part of a driver compliance determination and to wirelessly communicate with a portable device. The dongle also includes a connector electrically connected to the circuit board. The connector includes a plurality of pins, and is configured to be mated to a plurality of adaptors. Each of the plurality of adaptors is structured to mechanically map pins of a vehicle OBD port to the plurality of pins of the connector.

Abstract: A driver logging device events generator. In example, the events generator includes an input port configured to receive telemetric data generated by a vehicle control module and sent from a vehicle diagnostic port; a positioning information source; and an electronic processor coupled to the input port and the positioning information source. The electronic processor is configured to receive telemetric data, location information, and timing data; process the telemetric data to extract a subset of data points; receive driver input from a mobile device; determine at least one event value based on the driver input, the location information, and the timing data; generate a logging device event from a pre-determined set of events based on the at least one event value, the event including an event type and an event code based on the driver input and the subset of data points; and send the event to the mobile device.

Abstract: A placard system for use in the transportation industry. The placard system includes a holder including a cavity and a placard fastener mounting hole. The cavity is configured to receive a placard. The placard fastener mounting hole is spaced from an opening of the cavity and defining an axis of rotation. The placard system further includes a placard fastener engaged with the holder and swingable about the axis of rotation between a closed position in which the placard fastener blocks a portion of the opening of the cavity and an open position in which the placard fastener is spaced from the opening of the cavity. The placard fastener includes a planar base portion including a mounting hole, an engagement portion configured to engage the holder or the placard, and an actuation portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for authenticating a driver for driver compliance. A base unit including an electronic processor configured to receive an identification of a portable communication device associated with a driver, determine if the portable communication device is within a configurable distance from the base unit, compare the identification of the portable communication device with a stored identification, and authenticate the driver in response to the portable communication device associated with the driver being within a configurable distance from the base unit and based on identification of the portable communication device associated with the driver being a match with the stored identification.

Abstract: A transportation placard system including a holder including a recess for receiving a placard and a placard fastener engaged with the holder. The placard fastener includes a retaining arm including a placard engagement portion and a retaining tab. The placard fastener further includes a base including a first spring arm including a first downwardly extending claw, a second spring arm including a second downwardly extending claw, and an elongate portion positioned between the first spring arm and the second spring arm. The first spring arm and the elongate portion form a first cavity. The second spring arm and the elongate portion form a second cavity. The retaining tab is positioned within the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for authenticating a driver for driver compliance. A base unit including an electronic processor configured to receive an identification of a portable communication device associated with a driver, determine if the portable communication device is within a configurable distance from the base unit, compare the identification of the portable communication device with a stored identification, and authenticate the driver in response to the portable communication device associated with the driver being within a configurable distance from the base unit and based on identification of the portable communication device associated with the driver being a match with the stored identification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining positioning information for driver compliance. The apparatus comprising a an electronic processor connected to an electronic control unit and a transceiver and configured to receive the vehicle data from the electronic control unit, determine whether the apparatus includes a local source of positioning information, determine whether a positioning information from the local source of positioning information meets or exceeds an accuracy threshold and an availability threshold, if the apparatus includes the local source of positioning information, and send a request to the portable communication device for additional positioning information if the apparatus does not include the local source of positioning information, or the positioning information from the local source of positioning information does not meet or exceed the accuracy threshold, the availability threshold, or both.

Abstract: A base unit installed in a vehicle including a vehicle communication module for communicating with a controller, the controller monitoring at least one operating parameter of the vehicle. The base unit also includes a transceiver and a processor configured to receive the at least one operating parameter of the vehicle from the vehicle communication module. A memory device stores a first threshold of the vehicle operating parameter associated with a first vehicle operator, and stores a second threshold of the vehicle operating parameter associated with a second vehicle operator. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold. The processor is configured to determine that a driving event has occurred when first threshold has been exceeded for the first driver but the second threshold has not been exceeded for the second driver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic detection of yard move status for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). One method includes defining a geo-fenced region for a yard and determining a location of the vehicle in relation to the geo-fenced region. The location is used, along with other vehicle and driver parameters, to automatically detect a start of the yard move status and an end of the yard move status using a processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the determination and recording of positioning system compliance malfunctions for commercial motor vehicles (CMV). One method includes detecting and accumulating the fault time when positioning system information is invalid or unavailable. Additionally, when positioning system information is invalid or unavailable, the processor estimates an uncertainty distance that the vehicle has travelled since the last valid location. The system then determines and records positioning system malfunction based on positioning system fault events, the accumulated fault time, and the uncertainty distance. The system stores valid location information and data relating to the positioning system fault event on the base unit until the base unit is coupled to the portable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the estimation of jurisdictional boundary crossings for fuel tax reporting relating to a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). One method includes defining a geo-fenced region for a jurisdiction. The location of the vehicle is determined using a positioning system and the geo-fenced region. When positioning system information is unavailable for a period of time, the location of the vehicle is estimated, including determining if a distance between two consecutive positioning system points is greater than a threshold value, and using predetermined route information to estimate where the vehicle has crossed the geo-fenced region boundary.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems installed in a vehicle. One method includes identifying, with a processing unit installed in a vehicle, one of a plurality of data sources providing vehicle data over a communication interface in the vehicle, wherein the plurality of data sources provide vehicle data from at least two different vehicle control modules. The method also includes incrementing, with the processing unit, a counter associated with the one of the plurality of data sources, comparing, with the processing unit, the counter to a threshold, setting, with the processing unit, the one of the plurality of data sources as an active data source for receiving vehicle data when the counter exceeds the threshold, and processing the vehicle data received provided by the one of the plurality of data sources.