Abstract:
A method and system for scheduling transfer of transportation assets and freight use a graphical user interface to collect, enter and display transportation asset data and freight data, thus enabling a user to select origin and destination locations for the transportation asset data and freight data on a map displayed on an electronic display screen. The method and system enable a user to associate transportation asset data to the selected locations and upload selected locations and transportation data to a transportation management system for scheduling transfer of transportation assets and freight.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The disclosure relates generally to data entry systems and specifically to graphical data entry systems for posting and matching freight and transportation assets. 
         [0003]    2. Related Technology 
         [0004]    Many industries need to ship or otherwise transport goods from one point to another during the course of normal business operations. However, many companies are too small to have their own transportation vehicles. Thus, many companies rely on freight forwarding service providers to move the goods. Freight forwarding service providers generally match goods that need transportation with available transportation assets, such as trucks, ships or aircraft. As a result, much of a freight forwarding service provider&#39;s efforts are directed to collecting data pertaining to goods needing transportation (hereinafter referred to as “load(s),” “good(s),” or “freight”) and transportation assets. Originally, freight forwarding service providers contacted customers via phone to obtain information and tracked the information by writing down goods in one area and available transportation assets in another area and then attempted to match a good&#39;s origin and destination with a transportation asset that could transport the good from the origin to the destination. This repetitive process was very time consuming, manpower intensive and inefficient. 
         [0005]    Efforts have been made to use computer systems to facilitate matching loads and available transportation assets. One known computer system is the DAT system produced by TransCorp Inc. This system uses textual data entry (e.g., typing) to log load and transportation asset data. For example, a customer may give an origin and a destination for a load requiring delivery. The freight forwarding service provider logs this information by typing the data in a form field on a computer screen one item at a time. The name of the customer may be typed in one text entry box, the user then tabs or selects the next text entry box and types in the origin and finally, the user tabs or selects another text entry box and types in the destination information. A similar process is repeated for transportation asset information. Many other types of information can be entered into such a system. The system then organizes and displays the load and transportation asset data in a table. A user then may select appropriate transportation assets for available loads. While this method is more efficient than the old paper and pencil method, the data entry portion is still very time consuming and labor intensive. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A method and system for scheduling transfer of transportation assets and freight use a graphical user interface to collect, enter and display transportation asset data and freight data, thus enabling a user to select origin and destination locations for the transportation asset data and freight data on a map displayed on an electronic display screen. The method and system enable a user to associate transportation asset data to the selected locations and upload selected locations and transportation data to a transportation management system for scheduling transfer of transportation assets and freight. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a graphical interface system for entering load and transportation asset data constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the graphical interface of  FIG. 1  integrated into a larger Transportation Management System (TMS); 
           [0010]      FIG. 3 . is an example of a computer screen display of the graphical interface of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the logic employed by the graphical interface of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of other systems that may be used to input data into the graphical interface system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the social network shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In order to gather information about available transportation assets and loads, users (“representatives” or “reps”) contact individual transportation companies and/or individual shipping customers to gather asset information via phone, email or fax. The gathered information is entered into a transportation management system (TMS) for posting to other users and eventual matching of loads and transportation assets to ship the loads to their desired destinations. 
         [0015]    A graphical user interface system provides brokers and carriers with greater visibility of real-time transportation assets and freight. The system allows users to post truck and load data and view the posted data nearly instantaneously. 
         [0016]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a schematic representation of the graphical interface system  10  is depicted. The graphical interface system includes a processor  20  that may be located in a stand alone computer or a server. The processor  20  is connected to a memory  30  for storage and retrieval of data. Additionally, the processor  20  communicates with a map database  40  to retrieve map information for use in generating a graphical map representation on an interface  50 , such as a computer screen, through which a user can input data. The map database  40  may alternatively be contained in the memory  30 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows the graphical interface system  10  integrated into a larger Transportation Management System (TMS)  60 . The TMS  60  may include a generic TMS module  62  that displays freight  64  and transportation assets  66  data textually (usually in tables). The tables of freight  64  and transportation assets  66  are then matched with one another in a booking module  68 . The matched freight and transportation asset data is then transmitted to dispatch  70 . Generally a TMS user  72  manually enters the freight and transportation asset data textually into the generic TMS module  62 . 
         [0018]    The generic TMS module  62  sends available load and transportation asset data to the graphical interface system  10 . The information may be sent over the internet, via direct lines, or wirelessly. The available load data is checked and posted to the graphical interface system  10  in a post loads module  74 . Likewise, the available transportation asset data is checked and posted to the graphical interface system  10  in a post trucks module  76 . Of course, freight and transportation asset data may also be entered by a dedicated user or web based subscriber  78 . 
         [0019]    The graphical interface system  10  runs an active post query  80  and a historical post query  82  to match known available loads with known available transportation assets. The graphical interface system  10  then sends the matched loads and transportation assets back to the generic TMS module  62 . The graphical interface system  10  may also receive data from a collaboration web based subscription  84 . The collaboration web based subscription  84  includes, for example, shippers  86 , warehouses  88 , broker sales reps  90 , broker carrier reps  92 , and carriers  94 . The collaboration web based subscription  84  sends data specific to an area of operation into a web based subscription, such as social network (See  FIG. 6 ). The data is uploaded to a database  96 , which is periodically accessed by the graphical interface system  10 . The graphical interface system  10  analyzes the data from the database  96  and generates locations where a particular transportation company has no available assets  97 , carrier preferred lanes  98 , and carrier ratings  99 . The carrier preferred lanes may be particular lanes that a certain carrier has expressed repeated interest in running. The carrier ratings may be reliability ratings that enhance cold calling opportunities. For example, a rep looking for an available transportation asset may have a choice between three different carriers. The rep will naturally call the carrier with the highest carrier rating first. 
         [0020]    In  FIG. 3 , a display  100 , such as a computer screen or other electronic display shows a map  101  of a desired region. For example, the map  101  shown in  FIG. 3  depicts the lower forty eight states of the U.S. along with portions of Canada and Mexico. The region is selectable by the user and may be virtually any region of the globe for which map data can be obtained. A tab  102  on the display enables a user to select either transportation assets (shown in  FIG. 3 ), or available loads (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). The tab  102  tells the system what type of information is being entered and/or displayed. The map  101  may include a scale indicator  104  that allows a user to change the scale of the map  101 . The map  101  may further include cities  105  and states  106 . The map  101  may be customizable by the user to include virtually any geographical feature. For example, the map  101  may include highways, counties, terrain, etc. 
         [0021]    Initially, the user graphically selects a first location  110  on the map  101  by placing a cursor over the first location  110  and activating the cursor with an activation device, for example, a computer mouse button. Once the first location  110  is selected, a flag  112  or other symbol is generated on the map  101  to identify the first location  110 . A first location is changed by clicking and dragging the flag  112  to a new first selected location if desired. Generally, this first location  110  is an origin; however, the user may select a destination as the first location  110  if desired. A user then selects a second location  120  in the same manner and a flag  122  or other symbol is generated at the second location  120 . The system then computes and displays a polyline  130  connecting the first and second locations  110 ,  120 . This polyline  130  is generally known as a lane. 
         [0022]    The user may select a carrier in a select carrier box  140  to tell the system which shipping company owns the particular asset being input. For example, the user may type in the name of the shipping company, or select a shipping company from a drop-down list. The system may automatically complete the entry once enough characters have been entered to determine the desired shipping company. This feature is generally known as an auto-complete feature and is available for any textual entry in the system. The system may also pre-populate known origins and destinations based on the selected carrier or customer. 
         [0023]    Once a user selects the first location or origin  110 , the system converts the first location to a latitude/longitude coordinate. The system then searches the map database for a nearest city, a nearest transportation hub and a nearest state. The system populates the fields in a truck available location box  150  with the searched information. The fields  152 ,  154 ,  156  reflect levels of granularity for the searched information. For example, the nearest city is displayed at  152 , the nearest transportation hub is displayed at  154  and the nearest state is displayed at  156 . These fields  152 ,  154 ,  156  are selectable by the user to set the desired first location or origin  110  to a specific location, such as a city, or more general location, such as a transportation hub or state. 
         [0024]    The user then generally selects the second location or destination  120  in the same manner described above. The system converts the selected second or destination location to a latitude/longitude coordinate. The system then searches the map database for a nearest city, a nearest transportation hub and a nearest state. The user then has the option of selecting either the city, transportation hub or state in the selection points  158  in the detailed destination box  160 , which were automatically populated by the system. In this manner, the system greatly improves the efficiency of data entry by allowing the user to click on a general location and the system then uses this information to refine and present choices to the user of nearby locations. Thus, the user need not click on the exact location desired and only needs to click in the general vicinity of the desired location. 
         [0025]    Once first and second locations  110 ,  120  are selected, the system computes mileage between the first and second locations  110 ,  120 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the system computes three different mileages,  53 ′ practical, shortest, and straight line, and displays the results in a mileage box  170 .  53 ′ practical is the route a  53  foot long truck would generally take between the first and second locations  110 ,  120  based on various factors, such as overpass height, type of road (interstate, arterial, etc.), speed limit, etc. The shortest route is generally the shortest route over known roads regardless of other factors. Finally, the straight line route is a straight line between the first and second location. 
         [0026]    An additional info box  180  allows a user to select additional information to add to the entry prior to saving the entry or posting the entry to a transportation management system. For example, if the user has entered an available transportation asset (e.g., an empty truck) and there is more than one transportation asset available, the user can select the appropriate number of assets in the drop-down box  182 . Likewise, the user can select the type or length of truck at drop-down boxes  184  and  186 . A basis for calculation of a rate to quote for transportation between the entered first and second locations  110 ,  120  is selected at box  187 . The choices for calculating a rate are per mile and flat rate. The total rate is then displayed at box  188 . 
         [0027]    If the user does not want to save or post the information to a transportation management system, the clear button  190  clears the entry. Finally, once the user is satisfied with the data entered a post button  192  may be selected and the entered data is saved and/or uploaded to a transportation management system. 
         [0028]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a logic diagram is depicted for the graphical entry system that generates the display of  FIG. 3 . The system  200  is initialized at boxes  210  and may be web based or stand alone. A password may be entered if desired to limit access to authorized parties. The login screen also allows the system  200  to track posts by individual users for historical and reliability analysis. The system  200  then checks cache data at box  212 . The cache data is checked to ensure that the required data exists box  213  for both carrier and location functionality. If the cache data does not exist, it is retrieved from the database  40 . A date/time is stored each time the cache data is refreshed and the system  200  can thus update the cache data at regular intervals to ensure current data. 
         [0029]    After the system checks the cache data, a map is generated at box  214 . The map may be generated by retrieving map data from a map database in a server, or from a local location. Regardless, the map may be customized by a user to a particular area of interest, for example, North America as shown in  FIG. 3 . Virtually any region of the globe may be shown on the map provided there is adequate access to map data from the region. 
         [0030]    The map is an interactive map and a user may select a carrier/customer at box  215  and a location at boxes  216 ,  217  by either clicking a location on the map or textually entering the location into a text box on the display. The system  200  converts the selected location to a latitude/longitude point and searches for the nearest city, hub and state at box  220 . The nearest city, hub, state data is sent to the database  40 . Posted information may be checked for accuracy at box  221 . After validating the data, a marker is placed on the map at box  229 . In this manner, a user can rapidly ascertain available load and transportation assets and their relation to one another geographically. Further, if a particular location is not familiar to the user (e.g., Woodstock Ill.), the location is shown graphically and the user can readily identify known landmarks (e.g., Chicago Ill.) and immediately be familiar with the region by simply looking at the map. The origin and/or destination data is then populated on the display and the user may select between the populated data to determine the exact desired location. 
         [0031]    Valid origin/destination data is checked at box  223 , mileage between the first and second locations is calculated and a polyline is generated to connect the first and second locations at box  226 . A quote is determined at box  227  and a rate is calculated at box  228  based on the mileage calculated and a rate/mile, or a flat rate. When posting load or transportation asset information the system generates a date/time stamp and attaches the date/time stamp to the information prior to saving or transmitting the data. In subsequent analysis, the system determines the age of any relevant information and assigns a level of confidence based in part on the age of the information. Additionally, multiple origins and destinations may be entered and posted together with one selection of the post button  192  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0032]    The system  200  also includes features that allow the user to selectively highlight particular carriers or particular customer loads. For example, the user may desire to only view available transportation assets from C.R. England company. The system then removes all non C.R. England company assets on the display. In this way, the user can efficiently search for a particular asset on a particular lane and thus match loads with assets quickly. Alternatively, the system may tag all C.R. England company assets on the display to highlight these assets to the user. Furthermore, the system may assign individual assets unique truck numbers. These unique truck numbers represent a real world individual driver and transportation vehicle. The system may perform historical analysis on individual drivers to determine, for example, where the individual driver is likely to travel on a particular day of the week, month, or year. Such an individual analysis greatly increases the efficiency of locating available transportation assets 
         [0033]    The system may also display historical data for a particular lane or route, thus allowing the user to target solicitation efforts to the most likely candidates for availability when no transportation assets exist for a particular lane. For example, when the user gets new load information and needs to locate an available transportation asset, the system may generate a suggested list of carriers to contact based on the historical data. Likewise, the system can generate predicted transportation asset data, on which the user can base calls to calls to shipping customers to target these predicted transportation assets. Moreover, the system may calculate a probability of success for matching a load to a particular available transportation asset based on historical trends. 
         [0034]    Reports of historical data may be generated to facilitate strategic decisions for the user, such as future growth opportunities and proper staffing of representatives. Additionally, checklists of preferred carriers may be generated when an available transportation asset is needed. The checklist may be based upon historical data of which transportation companies generally have available assets in a particular region. Thus, the user can target these carriers for phone calls or emails to determine if any available assets exist. Moreover, the system can prioritize load information when the user is communicating with a carrier and suggest alternate loads or routes. For example, if a carrier tells the user that he/she has an available asset from New York to Chicago and the user does not have a load going from New York to Chicago, the system may suggest an available load that needs to go from New York to St. Louis and the user can then query the carrier if an asset would be available to modify its route to the New York to St. Louis lane. In this manner, the system suggests combinations that are likely to succeed regardless of what the carrier tells the user is available. These features greatly decrease training costs for new users as the system automatically generates the correct questions to ask a carrier. 
         [0035]    The system may also integrate real time weather and traffic data and show the data on the map. The system may gather real time weather and traffic information from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, commercial subscription services, the internet, the national weather service, etc. By visualizing real time weather and traffic data in the map, a rep can quickly suggest more efficient combinations of origins and destinations to a particular carrier. For example, if a carrier has an asset available from Nashville to Chicago and there is weather and traffic in Indianapolis, the rep may suggest a load from Memphis to Chicago, thus bypassing the weather and traffic problems in Indianapolis. The weather and traffic problems may be an incentive for the carrier to modify his/her plans and pick up the available load out in Memphis. 
         [0036]    Other sources of data entry may be used. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , data may be entered directly from transportation management systems of other vendors  300 , GPS or location data directly from the transportation asset  500  and/or web based communities such as a social network at  400 . In each case, the outside data input supplies locations to the system  200  and the system then converts the location data to map data and displays the input data on the computer screen. The system  200  may also tag map data with a source of the data so that a user can determine where the information came from for transportation assets and loads. For example, a transportation asset may have a flag on the display to show that the particular asset information was generated by an outside vendor, such as DAT. Likewise, load data may be flagged showing that the data came directly from a customers&#39; system. The flags may have different shapes, colors, etc. to identify a source of the displayed information. For example, user entered data may have a green colored flag (indicating a high level of reliability) while data from an external source may have a yellow colored flag. 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the web based portal, or social network  400  is shown. The web based portal is a social network that users voluntarily join. Social networks generally serve as a virtual gathering place for people who share common interests. For example, myspace.com is an example of a social network. The web based portal  400  may have a publicly accessible portion  410  and a semi-private portion  420 . Both the public portion  410  and the semi-private portion may have chat boards or instant message capability so that users such as carriers  430 , brokers  440 , and customers  450  may exchange information and socialize. The web based portal  400  may allow users to designate buddies or friends and allow access to the semi-private portion  420  for the buddies or friends. Furthermore, the web based portal  400  may have sites to gather information entered by the users. For example, the carriers may be interested in local food establishments and the web based portal  400  may have a catalog of such local food establishments. Additionally, the web based portal  400  may include blogs, stories from the road, user profiles, bulletin boards, music and video uploads, email, eCards, comments, favorites, calendar and reminders, events, announcements, etc. Moreover, the web based portal  400  may allow users to enter load and transportation asset data and share such data with their buddies or friends or the community at large. This load and transportation data may be periodically uploaded to the graphical interface system  10 . In this manner, the web based portal  400  gathers critical load and transportation asset data that the users voluntarily enter. As a result, reps can use their time more efficiently. 
         [0038]    While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The systems and methods shown and described are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.