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US5758313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for tracking vehicle location
Assignee: Mobile Information Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-17
•
Granted: 1998-05-26
•
Expires: 2015-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method computer aided dispatching. The present method includes providing a display 510 having a first display segment 530. The first display segment 530 includes a digitized representation of a selected area from a raster map, intelligent area data superimposed upon the selected area to provide intelligence, and a user locatable mark 520. The user locatable mark 520 defines a mobile unit position based upon a first value and a second value. The present method also includes using a dispatch system 811 operably coupled to the display. The dispatch system 811 includes order data from customers. A portion of the order data is transferred from a data acquisition 801, 808 device to the mobile unit 610.
Inventors
- 👤 Mukesh Chamanlal Shah
- 👤 Sanjiv Prabhakaran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3446; G01C21/36; G06; G06Q; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/123; G08G1/127; G08G1/20; G08G1/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 184
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A computer aided dispatching method comprising: providing a display comprising a first display segment and a second display segment, said first display segment comprising a digitized representation of a raster map and a plurality of user locatable marks, each of said plurality of user locatable marks representative of one of a plurality of mobile units at a mobile unit position, said second display segment comprising vector text information for at least one of said plurality of mobile units; and using a computer aided dispatch system operably coupled to said display; said computer aided dispatch system comprising order data from customers, said order data having a portion being transferred from a data acquisition device coupled to said computer aided dispatch system to a radio in one of said plurality of mobile units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A computer aided dispatching method comprising: providing a display comprising a first display segment and a second display segment, said first display segment comprising a digitized representation of a raster map and a plurality of user locatable marks, each of said plurality of user locatable marks representative of one of a plurality of mobile units at a mobile unit position, said second display segment comprising vector text information for at least one of said plurality of mobile units; and using a computer aided dispatch system operably coupled to said display; said computer aided dispatch system comprising order data from customers, said order data having a portion being transferred from a data acquisition device coupled to said computer aided dispatch system to a radio in one of said plurality of mobile units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit position is for a predetermined time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of providing a schedule from said computer aided dispatch system, said schedule comprising route information and order data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of providing a route from said computer aided dispatch system, said route comprising street data from said vector text information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said user locatable marks is an icon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of mobile units comprises a navigation tracking device, said navigational tracking device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a global positioning system (GPS) navigational sensor and a mobile radio modem operably coupled to said microprocessor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of using a two-way messaging device for communicating to one of said plurality of mobile units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit position comprises a first value and a second value, said first value being a latitude position and said second value being a longitude position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vector text information comprises a street name.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vector text information comprises a block number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vector text information comprises a major street cross-section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first display segment and said second display segment are simultaneously displayed.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for computer aided dispatching comprising steps of: providing a display comprising a first display segment, said first display segment comprising a digitized representation of a selected area from a raster map and a user locatable mark, said user locatable mark defining a mobile unit position based upon a first value and a second value; and using a dispatch system operably coupled to said display, said dispatch system comprising order data from customers, said order data having a portion being transferred from a data acquisition device to said mobile unit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for computer aided dispatching comprising steps of: providing a display comprising a first display segment, said first display segment comprising a digitized representation of a selected area from a raster map and a user locatable mark, said user locatable mark defining a mobile unit position based upon a first value and a second value; and using a dispatch system operably coupled to said display, said dispatch system comprising order data from customers, said order data having a portion being transferred from a data acquisition device to said mobile unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising a step of providing vector text data, said vector text data defining vector text information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising a step of providing a second display segment, said second display segment comprising said vector text information.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for computer aided dispatch comprising steps of: providing a display, said display comprising a first display segment said first display segment comprising a portion of a digitized representation of a raster map; displaying a user locatable mark onto said digitized representation, said user locatable mark defining a mobile unit location comprising a first value and a second value, said mobile unit location corresponding to a mobile unit; using a computer dispatch system operably coupled to said first display segment to provide data to said mobile unit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for computer aided dispatch comprising steps of: providing a display, said display comprising a first display segment said first display segment comprising a portion of a digitized representation of a raster map; displaying a user locatable mark onto said digitized representation, said user locatable mark defining a mobile unit location comprising a first value and a second value, said mobile unit location corresponding to a mobile unit; using a computer dispatch system operably coupled to said first display segment to provide data to said mobile unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of providing vector text data, said vector text data defining vector text information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising a step of providing a second display segment, said second display segment displaying said vector text information from said vector text data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said second display segment is a window in said first display segment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said vector text data are mobile unit information selected from a group comprising a time, a vehicle location, a driver name, a vehicle number, a vehicle speed, and a vehicle status.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising a step of using a two-way messaging device to communicate to said mobile unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said first display segment and said second display segment are simultaneously displayed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said portion of said digitized representation of said raster map is selected from a group comprising a digitally scanned road map, a digitally scanned automobile road map, a raster image, a digital map, a digitized video image, and a digitized satellite image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said mobile unit is selected from a group comprising an automobile, a van, a truck, an ambulance, an animal, a human, a boat, a ship, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a tractor, a vehicle for moving equipment, a train, a courier, a container ship, a shipping container, an airplane, a public utility vehicle, a telephone company vehicle, a taxi cab, a bus, a delivery vehicle, a beverage vehicle, a fire truck, a hazardous waste transportation vehicle, a chemical transportation vehicle, a long haul truck, a local haul truck, and an emergency vehicle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first value represents a latitude position and said second position represents a longitude position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first value represents a length and said second position represents an angle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said user locatable mark is a color coded icon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said mobile unit comprises a navigation tracking device, said navigational tracking device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a global positioning system (GPS) navigational sensor and a mobile radio modem operably coupled to said microprocessor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said mobile radio modem operates in a 800 to 900 MHz frequency range.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of periodically transmitting said mobile unit location from said mobile unit to a data acquisition device, said data acquisition device being operably coupled to said display.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of receiving said mobile unit location from said mobile unit and storing said mobile unit location into a database.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of retrieving said mobile unit location from a database.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said display is provided on an UNIX device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of using a vector utility to match said mobile unit location to a street location.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of using a vector utility to match said mobile unit location to a street location, said street location being selected from a group comprising a major street name, a block number, and a street name of a major cross-section.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of using a raster map utility to provide said portion of said digitized representation of said raster map.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of retrieving said mobile unit location for a selected time from a database.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said selected time is for historical data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of retrieving said mobile unit location from a mobile position database.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of defining a location of said user locatable mark on said first display segment using a vector database and said mobile unit location.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of displaying said user locatable mark at a second location onto said portion of said digitized representation of said raster map.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said mobile unit comprises a mobile radio, said mobile radio being operably coupled to said display for providing said mobile unit location, said mobile radio being selected from a group comprising a cellular telephone, a frequency modulated carrier means, a cellular digital packet data means, a satellite communication means, and a wide area wireless communication network means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said displaying is provided by accessing an automatic vehicle location subsystem in said computer dispatch system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of providing a warning message to an output device coupled to said computer dispatch system, said output device being selected from a group comprising said display and a printer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of using a messaging device to communicate to said mobile unit from said computer dispatch system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising a step of storing a message from said messaging device into a memory of said computer dispatch system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 46 wherein said message is selected from group comprising an incoming message and an outgoing message.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 46 further comprising a step of cancelling said stored message.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said computer dispatch system provides an operation selected from a group comprising order entry, dispatching, billing, accounting, and reporting.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 49 wherein said order entry includes a process selected from a group comprising a telephone call, an e-mail, a voice mail, and a postal mail.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 49 further comprising a step of providing information selected from a group comprising a billing name, a billing address, an authorization number, a pickup contact name, a pickup address, a destination address, and a destination contact name.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 49 further comprising a step of order entry into said computer dispatch system using a telephone keypad.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 52 further comprising a step of entering a caller identification using said telephone keypad.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of entering an order into said computer dispatch system using an order entry screen.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said order entry screen includes a screen portion for caller information, said caller information being selected from a group comprising a caller field, a caller phone number, a billing name, a billing address, and an authorization number.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said order entry screen includes a screen portion for destination information, said destination information being selected from a group comprising a contact name and a destination.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 54 wherein said order entry screen includes a screen portion for a common delivery point, said common delivery point being selected from a group comprising an address, a contact person, and route information.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising a step of outputting payment delinquency information on said order entry screen.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising a step of placing a hold on an account using said computer dispatch system to prevent said order information from being accepted onto said order entry screen when said account is delinquent.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising a step of placing a second level hold on an account using said computer dispatch system to prevent said order information from being accepted onto said order entry screen when said account is seriously delinquent.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 60 wherein said account is seriously delinquent if said delinquency is for more than 60 days.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of dispatching an order from an order entry screen to a dispatch location.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 62 wherein said dispatch location is selected from a group comprising a dispatch station, a plurality of dispatch stations, and a mobile unit.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 62 wherein said step of dispatching is provided by means selected from a group comprising a telephone line, a computer wide area network, a computer local area network, a pager, a radio unit, a pager, and a cellular telephone.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 62 wherein said dispatching is provided to a user through a dispatch screen.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 65 wherein said dispatch screen includes information selected from a group comprising a driver number, a ticket number, a status letter, a pickup address, a delivery address, a note, a service, a ready time, a due time, a status time, and a location.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 65 wherein said dispatch screen is a color display.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of billing using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
40 words
The method of 68 wherein said step of billing is provided on a time schedule, said time schedule being selected from a group comprising a weekly basis, a bi-weekly basis, a monthly basis, a quarterly basis, and a yearly basis.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
40 words
The method of 68 wherein said step of billing is provided on a time schedule, said time schedule being selected from a group comprising a weekly basis, a bi-weekly basis, a monthly basis, a quarterly basis, and a yearly basis.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of 68 wherein said step of billing is provided using an output device, said output device being selected from a group comprising a printer and an on-line link to a user.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of 68 wherein said step of billing is provided using an output device, said output device being selected from a group comprising a printer and an on-line link to a user.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
18 words
The method of 16 further comprising a step of performing an accounting operation using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
18 words
The method of 16 further comprising a step of performing an accounting operation using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation is cash posting method.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation is cash posting method.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation is an invoicing method.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation is an invoicing method.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation is a method for posting payment.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation is a method for posting payment.
Claim 84
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation provides an account balance.
Claim 85
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation provides an account balance.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation provides a driver commission.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation provides a driver commission.
Claim 88
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation provides a general ledger.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 71 wherein said accounting operation provides a general ledger.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of 16 further comprising a step of reporting using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of 16 further comprising a step of reporting using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 78 wherein said reporting step provides a report.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 79 wherein said report is selected from a group comprising a sales report, an aging report, a service analysis report, a commission report, a customer activity report, a gross profit report, a revenue distribution report, a payment/adjustment report, an order entry report, a zone distribution report, a summary exception report, a rate sheet printing report, a sales person report, and a driver report.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of scheduling using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 81 wherein said step of scheduling is an operation selected from a group comprising input order, input fixed route, schedule order to route, output schedule, perform delivery, transmit delivery data, and reschedule order to route.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 82 wherein said operation of input order enters order data into a memory of said computer aided dispatch system.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of performing a route selection method using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 84 wherein said route selection method uses a step selected from a group comprising input route data, select data and time, select route, output selected route, perform delivery, obtain route data, and re-input route data.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of performing an on-line dispatching method using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 86 wherein said on-line dispatching method includes a step selected from a group comprising input order data, retrieve a snap-shot of a fleet, select said mobile unit from a fleet, and transfer order data.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 86 wherein said on-line dispatching method provides real time dispatching based upon said data.
Claim 102
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for computer aided dispatch using a display, said display comprising a first display segment, said first display segment comprising a portion of a digitized representation of a raster map, said method comprising steps of: displaying a user locatable mark onto said portion of said digitized representation, said user locatable mark defining a unit location comprising a first value and a second value corresponding to said unit; and using a computer dispatch system operably coupled to said first display segment to retrieve data from said unit.
Claim 103
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for computer aided dispatch using a display, said display comprising a first display segment, said first display segment comprising a portion of a digitized representation of a raster map, said method comprising steps of: displaying a user locatable mark onto said portion of said digitized representation, said user locatable mark defining a unit location comprising a first value and a second value corresponding to said unit; and using a computer dispatch system operably coupled to said first display segment to retrieve data from said unit.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of providing vector text data, said vector text data defining vector text information.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 90 wherein said vector text data are unit information selected from a group comprising a time, a vehicle location, a driver name, a vehicle number, a vehicle speed, and a vehicle status.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 89 wherein a second display segment is a window in said first display segment.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of using a two-way messaging device to communicate to said unit.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said first display segment and a second display segment are simultaneously displayed.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said portion of said digitized representation of said raster map is selected from a group comprising a digitally scanned road map, a digitally scanned automobile road map, a raster image, a digital map, a digitized video image, and a digitized satellite image.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said unit is selected from a group comprising an automobile, a van, a truck, an ambulance, an animal, a human, a boat, a ship, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a tractor, a vehicle for moving equipment, a train, a courier, a container ship, a shipping container, an airplane, a public utility vehicle, a telephone company vehicle, a taxi cab, a bus, a delivery vehicle, a beverage vehicle, a fire truck, a hazardous waste transportation vehicle, a chemical transportation vehicle, a long haul truck, a local haul truck, and an emergency vehicle.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said first value represents a latitude position and said second value represents a longitude position.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said first value represents a length and said second value represents an angle.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said user locatable mark is a color coded icon.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said unit comprises a navigation tracking device, said navigational tracking device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a global positioning system (GPS) navigational sensor and a mobile radio modem operably coupled to said microprocessor.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 100 wherein said mobile radio modem operates in a 800 to 900 MHz frequency range.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of periodically transmitting said unit location from said unit to a data acquisition device, said data acquisition device being operably coupled to said display.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of receiving said unit location from said unit and storing said unit location into a database.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of scanning a database for said unit location from said unit.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said display is provided on an UNIX device.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of using a vector utility to match said unit location to a street location.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of using a vector utility to match said unit location to a street location, said street location being selected from a group comprising a major street name, a block number, and a street name of a major cross-section.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of using a raster map utility to provide said portion of said digitized representation of said raster map.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of retrieving said unit location for a selected time from a database.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 109 wherein said selected time is for historical data.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of retrieving said unit location from a mobile position database.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of defining a location of said user locatable mark on said first display segment using a vector database and said unit location.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of displaying said user locatable mark at a second location onto said digitized representation of said raster map.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said unit comprises a mobile radio, said mobile radio being operably coupled to said display for providing said unit location, said mobile radio being selected from a group comprising a cellular telephone, a frequency modulated carrier means, a cellular digital packet data means, a satellite communication means, and a wide area wireless communication network means.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said displaying is provided by accessing an automatic vehicle location subsystem in said computer dispatch system.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of providing a warning message to an output device, said output device being selected from a group comprising said display and a printer.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of using a messaging device to communicate to said unit from said computer dispatch system.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 117 further comprising a step of storing a message from said messaging device into a memory of said computer dispatch system.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 118 wherein said message is selected from a group comprising an incoming message and an outgoing message.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 118 further comprising a step of cancelling said stored message.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 89 wherein said computer dispatch system provides an operation selected from a group comprising order entry, dispatching, billing, accounting, and reporting.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 121 wherein said order entry includes a process selected from a group comprising a telephone call, an e-mail, a voice mail, and a postal mail.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 121 further comprising a step of providing information selected from a group comprising a billing name, a billing address, an authorization number, a pickup contact name, a pickup address, a destination address, and a destination contact name.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 121 further comprising a step of order entry into said computer dispatch system using a telephone keypad.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 124 further comprising a step of entering a caller identification using said telephone keypad.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of entering an order into said computer dispatch system using an order entry screen.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 126 wherein said order entry screen includes a screen portion for caller information, said caller information being selected from a group comprising a caller field, a caller phone number, a billing name, a billing address, and an authorization number.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 126 wherein said order entry screen includes a screen portion for destination information, said destination information being selected from a group comprising a contact name and a destination.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 126 wherein said order entry screen includes a screen portion for a common delivery point, said common delivery point being selected from a group comprising an address, a contact person, and route information.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 126 further comprising a step of outputting payment delinquency information on said order entry screen.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 126 further comprising a step of placing a hold on an account using said computer dispatch system to prevent order information from being accepted onto said order entry screen when said account is delinquent.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 131 further comprising a step of placing a second level hold on said account using said computer dispatch system to prevent order information from being accepted onto said order entry screen when said account is seriously delinquent.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 132 wherein said account is seriously delinquent if said delinquency is for more than 60 days.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of dispatching an order from an order entry screen to a dispatch location.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 134 wherein said dispatch location is selected from a group comprising a dispatch station, a plurality of dispatch stations, and a unit.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 134 wherein said step of dispatching is provided by a means selected from a group comprising a telephone line, a computer wide area network, a computer local area network, a pager, a radio unit, a pager, and a cellular telephone.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 134 wherein said dispatching is provided to a user through a dispatch screen.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 137 wherein said dispatch screen includes a portion for information selected from a group comprising a driver number, a ticket number, a status letter, a pickup address, a delivery address, a note, a service, a ready time, a due time, a status time, and a location.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 137 wherein said dispatch screen is a color display.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of billing using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 155
Independent Claim
40 words
The method of 140 wherein said step of billing is provided on a time schedule, said time schedule being selected from a group comprising a weekly basis, a bi-weekly basis, a monthly basis, a quarterly basis, and a yearly basis.
Claim 156
Independent Claim
40 words
The method of 140 wherein said step of billing is provided on a time schedule, said time schedule being selected from a group comprising a weekly basis, a bi-weekly basis, a monthly basis, a quarterly basis, and a yearly basis.
Claim 157
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of 140 wherein said step of billing is provided using an output device, said output device being selected from a group comprising a printer and an on-line link to a user.
Claim 158
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of 140 wherein said step of billing is provided using an output device, said output device being selected from a group comprising a printer and an on-line link to a user.
Claim 159
Independent Claim
18 words
The method of 89 further comprising a step of performing an accounting operation using said computer dispatch station.
Claim 160
Independent Claim
18 words
The method of 89 further comprising a step of performing an accounting operation using said computer dispatch station.
Claim 161
Independent Claim
13 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation is a cash posting method.
Claim 162
Independent Claim
13 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation is a cash posting method.
Claim 163
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation is an invoicing method.
Claim 164
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation is an invoicing method.
Claim 165
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation is a method for posting payment.
Claim 166
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation is a method for posting payment.
Claim 167
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation provides an account balance.
Claim 168
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation provides an account balance.
Claim 169
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation provides a driver commission.
Claim 170
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation provides a driver commission.
Claim 171
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation provides a general ledger.
Claim 172
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of 143 wherein said accounting operation provides a general ledger.
Claim 173
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of 89 further comprising a step of reporting using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 174
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of 89 further comprising a step of reporting using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 150 wherein said reporting step provides a report.
Claim 176
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 151 wherein said report is selected from a group comprising a sales report, an aging report, a service analysis report, a commission report, a customer activity report, a gross profit report, a revenue distribution report, a payment/adjustment report, an order entry report, a zone distribution report, a summary exception report, a rate sheet printing report, a sales person report, and a driver report.
Claim 177
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of scheduling using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 178
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 153 wherein said step of scheduling is an operation selected from a group comprising input order, input fixed route, schedule order to route, output schedule, perform delivery, transmit delivery data, and reschedule order to route.
Claim 179
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 154 wherein said operation of input order enters order data into a memory of said computer aided dispatch system.
Claim 180
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of performing a route selection method using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 181
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 156 wherein said route selection method uses a step selected from a group comprising input route data, select data and time, select route, output selected route, perform delivery, obtain route data, and re-input route data.
Claim 182
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 89 further comprising a step of performing an on-line dispatching method using said computer dispatch system.
Claim 183
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 158 wherein said on-line dispatching method includes a step selected from a group comprising input order data, retrieve a snap-shot of a fleet, select said unit from a fleet, and transfer order data.
Claim 184
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 158 wherein said on-line dispatching method provides real time dispatching based upon an order and said unit location.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |