Mobile asset data management system

Abstract

Location tracking devices and methods are provided to determine the position of a mobile asset. The method provides a processing system to calculate the location of the mobile asset, based on the information provided by a position determining device. The method for tracking the location of an asset utilizes a wireless device in an asset management system, and includes receiving at least one short range RF communication signal by a mobile wireless device from the asset management system; calculating position of the asset, by the mobile wireless device, based on the received at least one short range RF communication signal; and storing the position of the asset in the mobile wireless device. The wireless device performs location tracking of the asset being monitored by an asset management system, and includes means for receiving a short range RF communication signal from the asset management system; means for calculating position of the asset based on the received short range RF communication signal; and means for storing the position of the asset being monitored by the asset management system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring or controlling a mobile asset, the method comprising:
 storing an authorization list in a local memory of an asset communicator;   receiving an operator identifier;   determining if a wireless link is established between the asset communicator and a central control;   storing the operator identifier in the local memory if no wireless link has been established;   comparing the operator identifier to the authorization list to determine whether an operator is authorized to use the mobile asset;   enabling the mobile asset if it has been determined that the operator is authorized; and   transmitting the operator identifier to the central control if the wireless link is established.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operator identifier is received via a short-range wireless connection between a mobile device and the asset communicator. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operator identifier is received via an operator initiated log-in procedure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless link between a mobile device and the asset communicator is a cellular connection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless link between a mobile device and the asset communicator is a wireless local area network connection. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 temporarily enabling the mobile asset if it is determined that the operator is not listed on the authorization list;   transmitting the operator identifier to the central control when the wireless link is established;   receiving notification from the central control that the operator is not authorized to use the mobile asset; and   disabling the mobile asset.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein disabling the mobile asset comprises disabling one or more components of a fuel system or an ignition system of the mobile asset. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 temporarily enabling the mobile asset if it is determined that the operator is not listed on the authorization list;   transmitting the operator identifier to the central control when the wireless link is established; and   receiving notification from the central control that the operator is authorized to use the mobile asset.   
     
     
         9 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program code that enables monitoring or controlling a mobile asset, the method comprising:
 program code for storing an authorization list in a local memory of an asset communicator;   program code for receiving an operator identifier;   program code for determining if a wireless link is established between the asset communicator and a central control;   program code for storing the operator identifier in the local memory if no wireless link has been established;   program code for comparing the operator identifier to the authorization list to determine whether an operator is authorized to use the mobile asset;   program code for enabling the mobile asset if it has been determined that the operator is authorized; and   program code for transmitting the operator identifier to the central control when the wireless link is established.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 program code for temporarily enabling the mobile asset if it is determined that the operator is not listed on the authorization list;   program code for transmitting the operator identifier to the central control when the wireless link is established;   program code for receiving notification from the central control that the operator is not authorized to use the mobile asset; and   program code for disabling the mobile asset.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 program code for temporarily enabling the mobile asset if it is determined that the operator is not listed on the authorization list;   program code for transmitting the operator identifier to the central control when the wireless link is established; and   program code for receiving notification from the central control that the operator is authorized to use the mobile asset.