Patent ID: 6047250
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: G01F,G06M,G06Q,G08C

Abstract:
A system for monitoring fluid distribution for a fleet of heavy duty vehicles adapted to transport fluid, the system comprising:a plurality of first handheld RF data communications terminals, each of said plurality of handheld terminals including a portable housing readily adapted to be positioned in the hand of a driver of a heavy duty vehicle, a first RF transceiver connected to said portable housing for transmitting and receiving RF data communications, a first processor mounted in said housing for processing data communications, a first user interface connected to said processor and to an external surface of said portable housing for interfacing with a heavy duty vehicle driver, and a data collection device connected to said processor and to said portable housing for collecting data from customer fluid delivery locations;a fleet of heavy duty vehicles adapted to transport fluid;a plurality of second vehicle data communications terminals each mounted to one of the fleet of heavy duty vehicles, each of said plurality of second vehicle data communications terminals including a second RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF data communications, a second processor for processing data communications, and a second user interface for interfacing with a driver of a heavy duty vehicle;at least one fluid storage tank positioned at a customer fluid delivery location for receiving and storing fluid transported by the heavy duty vehicle, the fluid storage tank including tank identifying means for identifying the tank and adapted to be received by said data collection device of each of said plurality of first handheld data collection terminals; anda main office data monitoring and dispatching terminal associated with a main office for monitoring and dispatching fuel distribution data to the fleet of heavy duty vehicles, said main office terminal including a third RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving data communications to and from each of the plurality of second vehicle data communication terminals, a third processor connected to said third RF transceiver for processing data communications, and a third user monitoring and dispatching interface for monitoring fluid distribution data and for providing dispatching instructions from a main office user.