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 mounting apparatus for mounting a device, preferably to a surface of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting apparatus may comprise a base, a first intermediate component, a second intermediate component, and an adapter. The first intermediate component may be engageable to the base in at least two positions relative to the base. The second intermediate component may be engageable to the first intermediate component in at least two positions relative to the first intermediate component. The adapter may be engageable to the second intermediate component in at least two positions relative to the second intermediate component. The adapter may also be engageable to the device. The first intermediate component, the second intermediate component, and the adapter may be adjustable to position the device in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base, and may also be configured to receive a wire.

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: A mounting apparatus for mounting a device, preferably to a surface of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting apparatus may comprise a base, a first intermediate component, a second intermediate component, and an adapter. The first intermediate component may be engageable to the base in at least two positions relative to the base. The second intermediate component may be engageable to the first intermediate component in at least two positions relative to the first intermediate component. The adapter may be engageable to the second intermediate component in at least two positions relative to the second intermediate component. The adapter may also be engageable to the device. The first intermediate component, the second intermediate component, and the adapter may be adjustable to position the device in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base, and may also be configured to receive a wire.

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: 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 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: 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 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.