Asset monitoring and fueling system

Abstract

The present application discloses systems and methods for managing assets. In one exemplary embodiment, a system for monitoring an asset is disclosed. The system comprises at least one asset monitoring device, at least one fuel control device, and a central server. The asset monitoring device is configured for use with the asset to collect asset data about the asset. The fuel control device is configured for use with a fuel source to collect fueling data about fueling of the asset. The fuel control device is configured to communicate with the asset monitoring device to receive the asset data from the asset monitoring device. The central server is configured to communicate with the fuel control device to receive the asset data and the fueling data from the fuel control device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fuel indication method for an asset, comprising:
 using an asset monitoring device connected to an asset to determine whether a fuel source is within a specified range of the asset, wherein the asset monitoring device comprises a controller having control logic and a memory;   using the asset monitoring device to determine whether the asset has been run for more than a predetermined length of time since the asset was last fueled; and   using the asset monitoring device to notify the fuel source that the asset does not require fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the asset monitoring device scans radio frequencies listening for a sync frame from a fuel control device of the fuel source, and wherein the asset monitoring device determines from the signal strength of the sync frame whether the fuel source is within the specified range of the asset. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined length of time is managed on a central server and transmitted to the asset monitoring device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the asset monitoring device sends a signal to turn on a visible indicator to notify an operator of the fuel source that the asset does not require fuel. 
     
     
         5 . A method of fueling an asset, comprising:
 using a fuel control device connected to a fuel source to determine whether a user is authorized to operate the fuel source, wherein the fuel control device comprises a controller having control logic and a memory;   using the fuel control device to determine the identity of an asset to be fueled using the fuel source;   using the fuel control device to restrict the amount and type of fuel delivered to the asset;   fueling the asset using the fuel source; and   using the fuel control device to log fueling data about fueling the asset.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising using a human machine interface connected to the fuel control device to collect identification data about the user and using the fuel control device to compare the identification data against a list of authorized users to determine whether the user is authorized to operate the fuel source. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the list of authorized users is managed on a central server and transmitted to the fuel control device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fuel control device determines the identity of the asset from asset data received from an asset monitoring device connected to the asset, the asset monitoring device comprising a controller having control logic and a memory. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fuel control device uses the asset data to determine the amount and type of fuel permitted for the asset. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fuel control device uses at least one of the asset fuel level, asset fuel tank volume, and length of time since the asset was last fueled to determine the amount of fuel permitted for the asset. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising using an asset monitoring device connected to the asset to transmit asset data about the asset to the fuel control device, the asset monitoring device comprising a controller having control logic and a memory. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an operator of the asset pushes a button that sends a signal to the asset monitoring device to transmit the asset data to the fuel control device in closest proximity to the asset. 
     
     
         13 . A method of authorizing use of an asset, comprising:
 using an asset monitoring device connected to an asset to determine whether a user is authorized to operate the asset, the asset monitoring device comprising a controller having control logic and a memory, wherein a human machine interface connected to the asset monitoring device is used to collect identification data about the user, and wherein the asset monitoring device compares the identification data against a list of authorized users to determine whether the user is authorized to operate the asset; and   using the asset monitoring device to enable the asset's ignition if the user is authorized to operate the asset.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the list of authorized users is managed on a central server and transmitted to the asset monitoring device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the list of authorized users is based on at least one of the user's abilities, level of training, employment status, certification, credentials, authorization, position, role, and hours worked. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising using the asset monitoring device to disable the asset's ignition if the asset is not started within a specified period of time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the human machine interface comprises a RFID card reader. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising using the asset monitoring device to determine whether an inspection of the asset was completed. 
     
     
         19 . The method  claim 18  further comprising using the asset monitoring device to enable the asset's ignition if the inspection was completed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising using a handheld device configured to communicate with the asset monitoring device to perform an inspection of the asset, wherein the results of the inspection are transmitted from the handheld device to the asset monitoring device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising using the asset monitoring device to determine whether the inspection was completed, wherein the asset monitoring device compares the results of the inspection against an inspection checklist. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the inspection checklist is managed on a central server and transmitted to the asset monitoring device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising using the asset monitoring device to enable the asset's ignition if the inspection was completed. 
     
     
         24 . A method of using an asset, comprising:
 using an asset monitoring device connected to an asset to collect asset data about the asset, the asset monitoring device comprising a controller having control logic and a memory;   using the asset monitoring device to compare the asset data against shut down data managed on a central server and transmitted to the asset monitoring device to determine a length of time the asset is permitted to idle after an ignition of the asset is turned off; and   permitting the asset to idle for the length of time after the ignition is turned off.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the shut down data comprises a shut down time for the asset, and wherein the shut down time is the length of time the asset is permitted to idle after the ignition of the asset is turned off. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the shut down time is based on at least one of a weather forecast, ambient temperature, climate, season, and location.