Trailer stand monitoring system

Abstract

A system and method for remotely controlling loading dock components is disclosed that includes a distribution center having at least one dock station for exchanging materials and a dock component configured to in at least two operational states. An actuator is included that is configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal. A mobile remote control is configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component and at least one predefined non-activation zone is included such that changing of operational state of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trailer support for use in a distribution center having at least one dock for exchanging materials with a respective trailer comprising:
 a stand to support the trailer when a tractor is detached from the trailer; and   a sensor in communication with a central processing center to determine whether the trailer stand is properly engaged and supporting the trailer.   
     
     
         2 . The trailer support of  claim 1  wherein the central processing center is configured to send feedback to at least one of an equipment operator, a supervisor, and a log. 
     
     
         3 . The trailer support of  claim 2  wherein the central processing center is configured to record the feedback received from the sensor on a storage medium. 
     
     
         4 . The trailer support of  claim 1  further comprising a camera configured to acquire an image of at least one of the trailer and the stand. 
     
     
         5 . The trailer support of  claim 4  wherein the camera is connected to the central processing center to store at least one of a video image and a still image. 
     
     
         6 . The trailer support of  claim 4  wherein the camera is configured to send the image to at least one of a worker, a supervisor, and a central processing center to permit a process workflow to continue. 
     
     
         7 . A method of trailer support comprising:
 supporting the weight of a trailer with a trailer stand;   electronically determining whether the trailer stand is properly engaged and supporting the trailer; and   communicating the electronic determination of trailer support to allow dock door operation.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising sending feedback of the electronic determination to an equipment operator, a supervisor, and a central processing center. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising recording the feedback on a storage medium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising recording an image of the trailer stand. 
     
     
         11 . A trailer support system for use in a distribution center having at least one dock for exchanging materials with a respective trailer comprising:
 a plurality of trailer support stands, each configured to support the weight of the trailer without a tractor attached thereto;   a plurality of trailer support stand sensors, each configured to monitor a respective trailer support stand; and   a central processing center configured to monitor the plurality of trailer support stands.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the central processing center is configured to send feedback from each trailer support stand sensor to at least one of a respective equipment operator, supervisor, and a storage medium. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a camera configured to capture an image of at least one of the trailer support stand and the trailer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the image is at least one of a video image and a still image.