Database method and system for conducting integrated dispatching

Abstract

A technique for integrating a pre-existing business system with a fleet management system. The pre-existing business system includes, for example, an accounting system, a warehousing system, a dock management system, a yard management system. These fleet management system uses, for example, a combination of a raster map and vector data to provide an easy-to-read display for managing objects or articles, e.g., vehicle, container. The method uses a host gateway to provide a TCP / IP or like interface between the various systems.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 60 / 067,444 filed Dec. 3, 1997, and Ser. No. 09 / 057,375 filed Apr. 8, 1998, which claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60 / 043,224 filed Apr. 9, 1997, all commonly assigned, and hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. [0002] The following commonly-owned copending application is being filed concurrently, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes: [0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Charles F. Short, III and Sanjiv Prabhakaran entitled, “FULLY INTEGRATED DISPATCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD,” (Attorney Docket Number 15517-001810US).Appendix [0004] One or more embodiments of a novel fleet management system according to the present invention include a host gateway that comprises an MIS gateway coupled to a relational database. The relational database has a configuration in accordance with the Entity-Attribute-Relationsh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a technique for easily integrating pre-existing management systems with a fleet management system. This technique allows for easy interfacing between custom vehicle management systems and pre-existing management systems. The invention improves efficiency of pre-existing fleet management systems and reduces costs by making fleet operators more effective by way of real-time processing techniques. The invention uses a host gateway to provide a TCP / IP or like interface between the various systems. The technical effects of the invention include improved efficiency, reduced costs, and improved profitability by making fleet operators more effective."

Problems solved by technology

In particular, the number of vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, vans, and the like on typical city highways has increased to levels such that traffic jams are now a way of life for a typical driver using these highways as a means for travel.

In fact, some of these highways are so constricted that anyone using them can experience significant delays often unexpectedly due to problems such as accidents, road construction, and others.

These problems also exist on other transportation ways such as our city streets, airways, and waterways.

Accordingly, it is often difficult to predict with any accuracy the location of a vehicle using these transportation ways.

Unfortunately, roads, highways, and train systems are often difficult to build in highly populated areas and are generally extremely expensive and time consuming to build.

In most cases, construction used to provide this additional infrastructure often causes even more traffic congestion and other problems.

Based upon this state of the transportation infrastructure in most industrialized countries, it is often difficult for a company involved in the courier business to accurately track its vehicles and deliveries.

The problems mentioned above severely limit the predictability for a fleet manager to track vehicles in its fleet for the pick-up and delivery of information, packages, and people.

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