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: 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 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 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: A system for managing a fleet of mobile assets is disclosed. The system comprises vehicle asset communicators coupled to mobile assets/vehicles, local monitors in wireless communication with the communicators, and a controller in communication with the communicators. The controller comprising logic configured to receive work requests to be completed by the fleet and heuristically determine which mobile asset/vehicle to assign each work request to. The controller can receive real-time operational information related to the fleet to assist in the determination of which mobile asset/vehicle is best suited to complete the work request. The communicators enable the operators of the mobile assets/vehicles to accept or decline the work request, and to cancel the work request after acceptance or report to the system that the work request has been completed.

Abstract: A system for managing a fleet of mobile assets is disclosed. The system comprises vehicle asset communicators coupled to mobile assets/vehicles, local monitors in wireless communication with the communicators, and a controller in communication with the communicators. The controller comprising logic configured to receive work requests to be completed by the fleet and heuristically determine which mobile asset/vehicle to assign each work request to. The controller can receive real-time operational information related to the fleet to assist in the determination of which mobile asset/vehicle is best suited to complete the work request. The communicators enable the operators of the mobile assets/vehicles to accept or decline the work request, and to cancel the work request after acceptance or report to the system that the work request has been completed.

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 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 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.

Abstract: A robust wireless communications system operable to provide communications for mobile wireless devices. The wireless communications system generally includes a management computing system, wireless infrastructure, and mobile wireless devices. The wireless infrastructure includes wireless infrastructure devices having processing and storage capability. Similarly, the mobile wireless devices include processing and storage capability. Communication links between the management computing system and wireless infrastructure, and wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices are utilized to downlink and uplink data. In operation, data generated at the management computing system may be downloaded to the wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices sequentially without active simultaneous communication links. Similarly, data generated at the mobile wireless devices may be uploaded to the wireless infrastructure and management computing system without active simultaneous communication links.

Abstract: A robust wireless communications system operable to provide communications for mobile wireless devices. The wireless communications system generally includes a management computing system, wireless infrastructure, and mobile wireless devices. The wireless infrastructure includes wireless infrastructure devices having processing and storage capability. Similarly, the mobile wireless devices include processing and storage capability. Communication links between the management computing system and wireless infrastructure, and wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices are utilized to downlink and uplink data. In operation, data generated at the management computing system may be downloaded to the wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices sequentially without active simultaneous communication links. Similarly, data generated at the mobile wireless devices may be uploaded to the wireless infrastructure and management computing system without active simultaneous communication links.

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 robust wireless communications system operable to provide communications for mobile wireless devices. The wireless communications system generally includes a management computing system, wireless infrastructure, and mobile wireless devices. The wireless infrastructure includes wireless infrastructure devices having processing and storage capability. Similarly, the mobile wireless devices include processing and storage capability. Communication links between the management computing system and wireless infrastructure, and wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices are utilized to downlink and uplink data. In operation, data generated at the management computing system may be downloaded to the wireless infrastructure and mobile wireless devices sequentially without active simultaneous communication links. Similarly, data generated at the mobile wireless devices may be uploaded to the wireless infrastructure and management computing system without active simultaneous communication links.