Industrial Truck Fleet Management via Bluetooth Device Names
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing industrial truck fleets face challenges such as complex and unreliable data transmission, especially outdoors, due to the need for sealed cable connections and additional hardware for wireless connections, which complicates identification and security of connected trucks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Bluetooth interface on industrial trucks with a unique vehicle serial number in the device name, allowing easy and secure data exchange with fleet management software using mobile or stationary devices, ensuring accurate identification and encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable connection with plug connection is used for data transmission, then data can be transmitted reliably, but the connection becomes complex and difficult to handle due to sealing requirements and accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical plugs and cables that require sealing and manual connection, the system uses wireless radio communication to transmit data between the terminal device and the central system, eliminating the mechanical connection entirely while maintaining data transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the industrial truck and the central system. This terminal device establishes wireless connections to communicate with the central system, serving as a mediator that enables data transmission without requiring direct physical cable connections to the truck, thus simplifying the connection process while maintaining reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware is provided for wireless data transmission, then wireless data exchange is enabled, but the selection of mobile end devices is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the terminal device universal by equipping it with both a wireless communication interface for communicating with the central system and a Bluetooth interface for communicating with the industrial truck. This multi-functional terminal device can perform multiple roles: acting as a mobile end device for wireless data exchange and as a Bluetooth-enabled device for direct truck communication, thereby eliminating the need for separate specialized hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the wireless communication interface and the Bluetooth interface into a single terminal device. Instead of requiring separate hardware components for different communication protocols, the terminal device integrates multiple communication capabilities into one unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability for various data exchange scenarios
3Ease of operation
If wireless radio link is used for data connection, then connection flexibility is improved, but clear identification of connected industrial trucks becomes difficult and security against unauthorized access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic signals (analogous to color changes in visual systems) to provide feedback about the connection status. The terminal device outputs acoustic signals that indicate which industrial truck is currently connected via wireless radio link, enabling clear identification of the connected truck through audible feedback without requiring manual designation or complex identification procedures
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves connecting a terminal (8) e.g. smartphone, with fleet managing software. The terminal and an industrial truck (2) are provided with a Bluetoothinterface (4). A data connection with the terminal is performed via Bluetooth. Vehicle serial numbers of the truck are contained in device names of the interface. A database with associations of the numbers to Bluetoothaddresses is stored on the terminal. Data communication between the truck and the terminal is carried out via a Object Exchange (OBEX)-protocol. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a system for performing a method for managing industrial truck fleets (2) a software product comprising instructions for performing a method for managing industrial truck fleets.