Reactive replenishable device management

Abstract

Reactive replenishable device management includes receiving, over a network, device measurement data from replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by corresponding replenisher devices; updating a usage profile corresponding to at least some of the replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to system memory over a period of time; determining whether energy usage of the replenishable devices is suboptimal based on corresponding usage profiles and vehicles in which the corresponding replenishable devices are used; and sending, over the network, a management recommendation to a mobile device of a user of each replenishable device for which the corresponding energy usage is suboptimal based on respective usage profiles. It may also include monitoring real-time performance data from the replenishable devices and corresponding vehicles for fault event information related thereto; determining whether the fault event information is indicative of a fault for the replenishable devices; and issuing an alert to a mobile device of a user for each replenishable device corresponding to a determined fault or having a usage profile indicative of a fault.

1 . A method for reactive replenishable device management, the method executable by a computer system having a processor and system memory, comprising:
 receiving, by the computer over a network, device measurement data from a plurality of devices including replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by a plurality of corresponding replenisher devices;   updating, by the computer, a usage profile corresponding to at least some of the plurality of replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to the system memory over a period of time;   determining, by the processor, whether energy usage of the replenishable devices is suboptimal based on corresponding usage profiles and vehicles in which the corresponding replenishable devices are used; and   sending, by the computer over the network, a management recommendation to a mobile device of a user of each replenishable device for which the corresponding energy usage is suboptimal based on respective usage profiles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the replenishable devices comprise replaceable batteries for powering the corresponding vehicles; and the replenisher devices comprise battery rechargers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , where the device measurement data comprises a combination of: identification data, descriptive data, real-time performance data, and historical data for the vehicles and corresponding batteries. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where the management recommendation is delivered via a phone call to the mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , where the management recommendation is delivered in an audio message to the user when the mobile device is answered in response to the phone call. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where the mobile device comprises a pager and the management recommendation is delivered to the pager. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where the management recommendation is delivered via an email or text message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , where the management recommendation is located at a uniform resource locator (URL), the email or text message including a link to the URL. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , where the management recommendation is rendered on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 playing an audio message of the management recommendation over a public address system of a facility associated with the user.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where the management recommendation is delivered as an audio message or an audio-video message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , where the vehicles, the replenishable devices, and the replenisher devices comprise assets of a fleet, where the management recommendation comprises an asset rotation recommendation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , where the asset rotation recommendation is based at least in part on capabilities of the respective replenishable devices and a workload of the respective replenishable devices with respect to capabilities of others of the replenishable devices. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , where the vehicles, the replenishable devices, and the replenisher devices comprise assets of a fleet, where the management recommendation comprises an asset reduction or an asset addition recommendation based at least in part on capabilities and workloads of the fleet assets. 
     
     
         15 . A method for reactive replenishable device management, the method executable by a computer system having a processor and system memory, comprising:
 receiving, by the computer over a network, device measurement data from a plurality of devices including replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by a plurality of corresponding replenisher devices;   updating, by the computer, a usage profile corresponding to at least some of the plurality of replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to the system memory over a period of time;   monitoring, by the computer, real-time performance data from the replenishable devices and corresponding vehicles for fault event information related thereto;   determining, by the processor, whether the fault event information is indicative of a fault for the at least some of the replenishable devices; and   issuing, by the computer, an alert to a mobile device of a user for each replenishable device corresponding to a determined fault or having a usage profile indicative of a fault.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 analyzing, by the processor, maintenance schedule milestones of a maintenance schedule for the at least some of the replenishable devices; and   sending an alert to a mobile device of a user for each replenishable device for which the processor determines that specified maintenance schedule milestones have not been completed.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , where the alert comprises a maintenance alert informing the user that a scheduled maintenance is due. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , where the alert comprises a compliance alert informing the user that the corresponding vehicle is being replenished less frequently than suggested by the corresponding maintenance schedule. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , where the alert comprises a warranty period ending alert to inform the user that the replenishable device or the replenisher device has a warranty period that is ending. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , where the replenishable devices comprise replaceable batteries for powering the corresponding vehicles; and the replenisher devices comprise battery rechargers. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , where the device measurement data comprises a combination of: identification data, descriptive data, real-time performance data, and historical data for the vehicles and corresponding batteries. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , where the alert comprises a charger service alert to inform the user of an unscheduled need for maintenance of the battery recharger. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , where the alert comprises a vehicle service alert to inform the user of an unscheduled need for maintenance of the vehicle. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , where the alert comprises a battery service alert to inform the user of an unscheduled need for maintenance of one or more batteries corresponding to the vehicle. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , where the alert is delivered via a phone call to the mobile device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , where the alert is delivered in an audio message to the user when the mobile device is answered in response to the phone call. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15 , where the mobile device comprises a pager and the alert is delivered to the pager. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , where the alert is delivered via an email or text message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , where the alert is located at a uniform resource locator (URL), the email or text message including a link to the URL. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 15 , where the alert is rendered on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 playing an audio message of the alert over a public address system of a facility associated with the user.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 15 , where the alert is delivered as an audio message or an audio-video message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         33 . A system for reactive replenishable device management comprising:
 a processor and system memory, the system memory containing computer instructions executable by the processor to manage replenishable and replenisher devices;   a network interface coupled with the processor and system memory;   where the processor is operable to execute the instructions to:
 receive, through the network interface, device measurement data from a plurality of devices including replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by a plurality of corresponding replenisher devices; 
 update a usage profile corresponding to at least some of the plurality of replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to the system memory over a period of time; 
 determine whether energy usage of the replenishable devices is suboptimal based on corresponding usage profiles and vehicles in which the corresponding replenishable devices are used; and 
 send through the network interface, over a wireless network, a management recommendation to a mobile device of a user of each replenishable device for which the corresponding energy usage is suboptimal based on respective usage profiles. 
   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , where the replenishable devices comprise replaceable batteries for powering the corresponding vehicles; and the replenisher devices comprise battery rechargers. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , where the device measurement data comprises a combination of: identification data, descriptive data, real-time performance data, and historical data for the vehicles and corresponding batteries. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , where the management recommendation is delivered via a phone call to the mobile device. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , where the management recommendation is delivered in an audio message to the user when the mobile device is answered in response to the phone call. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , where the mobile device comprises a pager and the management recommendation is delivered to the pager. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 33 , where the management recommendation is delivered via an email or text message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , where the management recommendation is located at a uniform resource locator (URL), the email or text message including a link to the URL. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 33 , where the management recommendation is rendered on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 33 , the processor further operable to execute the instructions to:
 play an audio message of the management recommendation over a public address system of a facility associated with the user.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 33 , where the management recommendation is delivered as an audio message or an audio-video message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 33 , where the vehicles, the replenishable devices, and the replenisher devices comprise assets of a fleet, where the management recommendation comprises an asset rotation recommendation. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , where the asset rotation recommendation is based at least in part on capabilities of the respective replenishable devices and a workload of the respective replenishable devices with respect to capabilities of others of the replenishable devices. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 33 , where the vehicles, the replenishable devices, and the replenisher devices comprise assets of a fleet, where the management recommendation comprises an asset reduction or an asset addition recommendation based at least in part on capabilities and workloads of the fleet assets. 
     
     
         47 . A system for reactive replenishable device management comprising:
 a processor and system memory, the system memory containing computer instructions executable by the processor to manage replenishable and replenisher devices;   a network interface coupled with the processor and system memory;   where the processor is operable to execute the instructions to:
 receive, through the network interface, device measurement data from a plurality of devices including replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by a plurality of corresponding replenisher devices; 
 update usage profile corresponding to at least some of the plurality of replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to the system memory over a period of time; 
 monitor real-time performance data from the replenishable devices and corresponding vehicles for fault event information related thereto; 
 determine whether the fault event information is indicative of a fault for the at least some of the replenishable devices; and 
 issue an alert through the network interface over a wireless network to a mobile device of a user for each replenishable device corresponding to a determined fault or having a usage profile indicative of a fault. 
   
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , the processor further operable to execute the instructions to:
 analyze maintenance schedule milestones of a maintenance schedule for the at least some of the replenishable devices; and   send an alert to a mobile device of a user for each replenishable device for which the processor determines that specified maintenance schedule milestones have not been completed.   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , where the alert comprises a maintenance alert informing the user that a scheduled maintenance is due. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , where the alert comprises a compliance alert informing the user that the corresponding vehicle is being replenished less frequently than suggested by the corresponding maintenance schedule. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 47 , where the alert comprises a warranty period ending alert to inform the user that the replenishable device or the replenisher device has a warranty period that is ending. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 47 , where the replenishable devices comprise replaceable batteries for powering the corresponding vehicles; and the replenisher devices comprise battery rechargers. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , where the device measurement data comprises a combination of: identification data, descriptive data, real-time performance data, and historical data for the vehicles and corresponding batteries. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 52 , where the alert comprises a charger service alert to inform the user of an unscheduled need for maintenance of the battery recharger. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 52 , where the alert comprises a vehicle service alert to inform the user of an unscheduled need for maintenance of the vehicle. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 52 , where the alert comprises a battery service alert to inform the user of an unscheduled need for maintenance of one or more batteries corresponding to the vehicle. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 47 , where the alert is delivered via a phone call to the mobile device. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , where the alert is delivered in an audio message to the user when the mobile device is answered in response to the phone call. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 47 , where the mobile device comprises a pager and the alert is delivered to the pager. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 47 , where the alert is delivered via an email or text message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , where the alert is located at a uniform resource locator (URL), the email or text message including a link to the URL. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 47 , where the alert is rendered on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 playing an audio message of the alert over a public address system of a facility associated with the user.   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 47 , where the alert is delivered as an audio message or an audio-video message to the mobile device. 
     
     
         65 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for reactive replenishable device management in a computing system, the set of instructions executable by the computer system, the computer system including a processor and system memory, the computer-readable medium comprising:
 instructions to receive, over a network, device measurement data from a plurality of devices including replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by a plurality of corresponding replenisher devices;   instructions to direct the processor to update a usage profile corresponding to at least some of the plurality of replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to the system memory over a period of time;   instructions to direct the processor to determine whether energy usage of the replenishable devices is suboptimal based on corresponding usage profiles and vehicles in which the corresponding replenishable devices are used; and   instructions to direct a network interface coupled with the processor to send, over the network, a management recommendation to a mobile device of a user of each replenishable device for which the corresponding energy usage is suboptimal based on respective usage profiles.   
     
     
         66 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for reactive replenishable device management in a computing system, the set of instructions executable by the computer system, the computer system including a processor and system memory, the computer-readable medium comprising:
 instructions to receive, over a network, device measurement data from a plurality of devices including replenishable devices usable by corresponding vehicles and replenishable by a plurality of corresponding replenisher devices;   instructions to direct a processor to update a usage profile corresponding to at least some of the plurality of replenishable devices, the usage profile including performance data derived from the device measurement data and saved to the system memory over a period of time;   instructions to direct a processor to monitor real-time performance data from the replenishable devices and corresponding vehicles for fault event information related thereto;   instructions to direct the processor to determine whether the fault event information is indicative of a fault for the at least some of the replenishable devices; and   instructions to direct a network interface coupled with the processor to issue an alert over the network to a mobile device of a user for each replenishable device corresponding to a determined fault or having a usage profile indicative of a fault.   
     
     
         67 . A computer-implemented method for dynamic control of one or more devices based on device measurement data received from the one or more devices, the method executable by a computer having a processor and system memory, comprising:
 receiving, by the computer, device measurement data from: a replenishable device, a replenisher associated with the replenishable device, and a vehicle associated with the replenishable device, the device measurement data including (a) identification data, (b) historical data, and (c) real-time data for each of the replenishable device, the replenisher, and the vehicle;   updating, by the processor, a usage profile associated with vehicle energy usage using the device measurement data received from the replenishable device, the replenisher, and the vehicle, the usage profile comprising performance data of both the replenishable device and the vehicle gathered over a period of time;   analyzing, by the processor, the usage profile to determine whether vehicle energy usage is sub-optimal; and   controlling, with a controller coupled with the processor, an operation of the vehicle when it is determined that vehicle energy usage is sub-optimal to seek to improve energy usage.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising:
 sending a command over a network to the vehicle to control the operation of the vehicle.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67 , where the device measurement data comprises:
 identification data that describes one or more time-invariant attributes of the vehicle;   historical data that describes one or more time-variant attributes of each of the replenishable device and the vehicle; and   real-time data that describes a single sample of one or more time-variant attributes of each of the replenishable device and the vehicle.   
     
     
         70 . A system for dynamic control of one or more devices based on device measurement data received from the one or more devices, comprising:
 a processor and system memory, the system memory containing computer instructions executable by the processor;   a network interface coupled with the processor and system memory;   where the processor is operable to execute the instructions to:
 receive device measurement data over a network from: a replenishable device, a replenisher associated with the replenishable device, and a vehicle associated with the replenishable device, the device measurement data including (a) identification data, (b) historical data, and (c) real-time data for each of the replenishable device, the replenisher, and the vehicle; 
 update a usage profile associated with vehicle energy usage using the device measurement data received from the replenishable device, the replenisher, and the vehicle, the usage profile comprising performance data of both the replenishable device and the vehicle gathered over a period of time; 
 analyze the usage profile to determine whether vehicle energy usage is sub-optimal; and 
 control an operation of the vehicle when it is determined that vehicle energy usage is sub-optimal to seek to improve energy usage. 
   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70 , where the processor is further operable to execute the instructions to send a command over a network to the vehicle to control the operation of the vehicle. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 70 , where the device measurement data comprises:
 identification data that describes one or more time-invariant attributes of the vehicle;   historical data that describes one or more time-variant attributes of each of the replenishable device and the vehicle; and   real-time data that describes a single sample of one or more time-variant attributes of each of the replenishable device and the vehicle.