Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title Of Invention
SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY MANAGING BULK PRODUCT STORAGE
Field Of The Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a system for remotely
managing bulk product storage in at least one storage location.
Background Of The Invention
[0003] Management of bulk product storage differs from
management of the storage of unit products, such as discreet products
like televisions, or pencils, in three key areas: measurement of the
quantity of the stored product, and replenishment of the stored product,
and participant roles.
[0004] Measuring the quantity of unit products stored
requires inventorying the products that are to be managed. Televisions,
chairs and the like may be readily inventoried as individual units. Other
items may be inventoried in the packaging unit in which they are to be
distributed and sold. Thus, an office supply distributor might inventory
paper in units of pallets, a down chain office supply retailer might
inventory the same paper in more convenient units of boxes, and the
office manager of an end consumer office may inventory the same paper in
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reams. Significant is that each inventory unit is capable of being hand
counted.
Automated inventory management tools extend that capability.
[ooos] Bulk products, such as oil, coal, or grain, are inherently inconven-
ient or impossible to measure by eye and require different inventory methods
than counting definable units. Inventorying individual units is too arduous or
im-
possible. Since, bulk products are often needed, and thus sold, in quantities
of
related to physical measurements, such as volume, and weight they are often
inventoried as such using specialized equipment.
[ooosl Replenishment of stores of bulk products are usually made by
large delivery vehicles purpose built and maintained. Tanker trucks and fuel
barges are common sights on roadways and waterways. These bulk product
carriers are solely dedicated to transporting one product during that haul
unlike
carriers for unit products who may mix their cargo to reach maximum capacity.
Thus, trucks or barges filled with unit products may transport several
different
products, such as furniture and televisions, until all usable cargo space has
been
filled. Mixing cargo increases the unit product carrier's efficiency and
profit mar-
gin.
[ooo7l However, bulk product carriers are limited to transporting one
bulk product during that haul. Additionally, health and safety regulations,
issUed
by regulatory authorities, iimit the ability of carriers to change the type of
bulk
product carried by individual pieces of equipment. Thus, for example, a
carrier
who places one a tanker truck in service for fuel oil may not subsequently use
that truck for carrying milk or potable water. Consequently, bulk product
carriers
have a great need to increase the efficiency of their operations as well as
manag-
ing the storage of bulk products.
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[ooo81 Participant roles in the ownership and replenishment of bulk
product stores may be often different than with those of unit quantities.
Replen-
ishment of unit quantities generaily occurs at the request of the downstream
pur-
chaser. Complex business interrelationships between supplier and consumer,
such as Just-In-Time delivery, have been employed to create greater efficiency
in
the delivery and replenishment process.
[ooo9] However, replenishment of a bulk product may not occur at the
request of the downstream purchaser., Further, a bulk storage facility may be
owned by a supplier, yet located on the property of the product consumer, such
as the heating tank in a home that is supplied by a fuel dealer. In such in-
stances, the home owner may simply have contracted to have a steady supply of
heating oil delivered by the dealer. Thus, the home owner may never read the
tank gauge and replenishment may occur at estimated intervals rather than when
needed.
[oolo]' What is desired, therefore, is an effective system and method for
remotely managing bulk product storage.
Summary Of The Invention
[oo11j Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to remotely manage .
bulk product storage more efficiently and accurately.
[0012] Another object is to provide controlled access to the information
collected on each storage location.
[00131 A further object is to make the functions of remotely managing
bulk product storage available over the internet or wireless communications.
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[0014] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the
provision of a system for providing remotely managed bulk product storage.
In accordance with the present invention the above object is achieved
with a system for allowing a plurality of non-associated fuel dealers to
remotely
managing fuel storage in a plurality of customer storage locations comprising:
a computer accessible by a plurality of fuel dealers;
a measurer measuring the storage level of a fuel at a customer storage
location and generating a measurement signal indicative thereof;
a data processor associated with the measurer receiving and storing the
measurement signal;
a communicator wirelessly coupled to the data processor, the
communicator transmitting the measurement signal to the computer via a
communications network;
an access interface associated with the computer and coupling the
computer to the communications network;
a database accessible by the computer containing a plurality of data
associated with customer fuel storage levels for a plurality of customer
accounts;
a plurality of functional software modules executing on the computer
allowing one of the plurality of fuel dealers to selectively manipulate the
plurality
of data associated with a particular customer storage location;
comprising
an administrative software module allowing the plurality of fuel
dealers to create new customer accounts administer existing customer
accounts,
a management software module allowing the plurality of fuel
dealers to query the database for customer information associated with
their customer accounts,
a scheduling software module for optimizing fuel deliveries to their
customer account storage locations, and
an authorization software module for securing the system such that
authorized fuel dealers are allowed access to their customer account
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information and a customer is permitted to view the storage level of a fuel
at the customer's storage location,
wherein a plurality of fuel dealer computers access the computer, each
fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to whom they supply fuel,
each fuel dealer accessing the computer system via the authorization software
and administering customer accounts via the administrative software.
The present invention is also directed to a fuel monitoring system for
allowing a plurality of non-associated fuel dealers to monitor a fuel level of
a
plurality of customer locations comprising:
a fuel level monitoring device for generating fuel level data;
a communicator wirelessly coupled to said fuel level monitoring device
receiving the fuel level data via the wireless link;
a communication link coupled to said communicator;
a central server coupled to said interface via said communication link;
a storage device accessible by said server, said storage device receiving
and storing the fuel level data;
a plurality of dealer computers coupled to said central server for
accessing the fuel level data associated with their customers;
said central server formatting the fuel level data to a dealer data format;
said fuel level data presented to the dealer for display in real-time such
that the dealer may optimize scheduled delivery of fuel to the customer; and
an authorization software module allowing authorized fuel dealers to
access their customer information and a customer is permitted to view the
storage level of a fuel at the customer's storage location;
an administrative software module facilitating the creation and
administration of customer accounts;
wherein a plurality of fuel dealer computers access the server, each fuel
dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to whom they supply fuel, each
fuel dealer accessing the server via the authorization software and
administering
customer accounts via the administrative software.
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The present invention is also directed to a centralized fuel monitoring
system for allowing a plurality of non-associated fuel dealers to monitor the
fuel
level at customer locations comprising:
a computer accessible by a plurality of fuel dealer computers and a
plurality of customer computers, each fuel dealer having a plurality of
customer
accounts to which they supply fuel, each customer having access to said server
to check on the fuel level at the customer location;
a measurer installed at a customer location, generating a fuel signal
indicative of a fuel level at the customer location;
a communicator wirelessly coupled to said measurer and receiving the
fuel signal;
said communicator coupled to said computer via a communications
network, said computer receiving the fuel signal;
an authorization software module allowing a fuel dealer to access
customer accounts associated with the fuel dealer, said authorization software
allowing a customer to access information relating to the customer's fuel
level;
an administration software module allowing a fuel dealer to create new
customer accounts and enroll new customer locations to be monitored;
wherein a plurality of fuel dealer computers access the computer, each
fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to whom they supply fuel,
each fuel dealer accessing the computer system via the authorization software
and administering customer accounts via the administrative software.
[0015] Preferably, the above object may be achieved with a system for
remotely managing fuel storage in a storage in a customer storage location
comprising:
a computer accessible by a plurality fuel dealers;
a measurer for measuring the storage level of a fuel at a customer
storage location;
a data processor associated with the measurer permitting recording of the
customer fuel storage level;
a communicator associated with the measurer permitting communication
with the computer;
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an access interface associated with the computer;
at least one communications network permitting communication by a
dealer to the computer and permitting communication with the computer by the
communicator associated with the measurer;
a database accessible by the computer containing a plurality of data
associated with the customer fuel storage level;
a plurality of functional software modules executing on the computer by
which the dealer selectively manipulates the plurality of data associated with
the
customer storage location; comprising:
an administrative software module for enrolling customer storage
locations and administering the system,
a management software module for querying the database,
a scheduling software module for optimizing fuel deliveries to
customers,
an authorization software module for securing the system, and
a delivery analysis software module for analyzing the
replenishment of the fuel to the customer storage location, said delivery
analysis
software module including a route optimization module by which the dealer
optimizes its schedule of deliveries to customer storage locations based upon
storage levels at the customer storage locations.
Preferably, the present invention is also directed to a fuel monitoring
system for allowing a dealer to monitor a fuel level of a customer location
comprising:
a fuel level monitoring device for generating fuel level data;
a communication link;
a central server coupled to said fuel level monitoring device via said
communication link;
a storage device for storing the fuel level data;
a dealer computer coupled to said central server for accessing the fuel
level data;
said central server formatting the fuel level data to a dealer data format;
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said fuel data presented to the dealer for display in real-time such that the
dealer may optimize schedule delivery of fuel to the customer; and
a delivery analysis software module, including route optimization
software, by which the dealer optimizes its schedule of deliveries to customer
storage locations based upon storage levels at the customer storage locations.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram of a system 10 for remotely managing
bulk product storage at a storage location in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention.
[0017] Figure 2 depicts the administrative software module 30 of
system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
i
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[ool 8] Figure 3 depicts the data capture software module 40 in accor-
dance with one embodiment of the invention.,
[oa1s] Figure 4 depicts the management software module 50 of system
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
~;.
[00201 , Figure 5 depicts the monitoring software module 60 of system 10
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[00211 Figure 6 depicts the authorization software module 90 of system '
10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0022] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of granting user 11 authorized
access to system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description Of The Drawings
[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram of a system 10 for remotely managing bulk
product storage in one storage location in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention. Systein 10 includes one or more users 11 capable of using
system
10, a computer 12, one or more databases 14, bulk product 16 at a storage loca-
tion 20, a communications network 17, an access interface 18 associated with
computer 12, one or more software modules 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, and one or more
software applications executing on computer 12.
(0024] Remotely managing bulk product storage using system 10 in ac-
cordance with the invention in a storage location 20 may include monitoring,
communicating, exchanging information, and/or performing acts that affect or
re-
sult in the decision making process that augments, exhausts, manipulates, con-
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siders, or in some other way affects the quantity of bulk product 16 at the
storage
location 20.
[0025l Bulk product 16 is defined broadly for this invention in both its
form and application and exceeds the dictionary definition of "bulk product."
When used in the singular, the term is equally applicable to the plural.
[00261 Bulk product 16 may be liquid such as fuel stored in home or
industrial tanks for heating or distribution. Bulk product 16 may be solid
such as
highway deicing salt at a maintenance depot, grain stored in a silo, or
processed
cereal stored in quantity for packaging in boxes familiar to supermarket shop-
pers. Bulk product 16 may also be waste products such as husbandry effluent
stored in holding tanks for environment compliance.
(00271 The term "bulk product" is also applicable when bulk product 16
comprises two or more discrete products that are stored so as to constitute
one
product even though they are separable; such as aforementioned cereal, or oil
and water, or differently graded aggregate.
100281 The term "bulk product" is further applicable when bulk product.
16 is a fungible product; i.e. one that is readily interchangeable with a
similar
product or by its nature when stored with like product becomes irreversibly
misci-
ble; for example electricity stored in a fuel cell, or unrefined petroleum in
a salt
dome storage facility as are common in the Gulf Coast area. Other uses and/or
applications to materials, products or items that will benefit from the
invention are
also envisioned to be within the invention.
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(002s] Storage location 20 is defined broadly for this invention and ex-
ceeds the dictionary defiinition of "storage location." When used in the
singular,
the term is equally applicable to the plural.
[0030] Storage location 20 may be any type of location used to store
bulk product 16. It may be stationary. Examples of this kind are the tank hold
of
a residential oil heating tank or propane tank; the tank hold of a tank in a
tank
farm as commonly used by petroleum distributors; storage shed in a highway
maintenance depot; and basin hold of a water reservoir.
[0031] However, storage location 20 may also be movable, such as the
hold of a barge carrying bulk products. Storage location 20 may be temporary,
such as an aggregate or cement store at a construction site.
(0032] Other types of storage locations are also envisioned in accor-
dance with the invention. As for example, in one embodiment, storage location
20 is a delivery vehicle that comes to replenish bulk product 16 at another
stor-
age location 20, for example a tanker truck replenishing a fuel oil tank.
[0033] Storage location 20 may also be a plurality of locations used to
store bulk products 16. Thus, storage location 20 may be all tank holds of all
tanks in a tank farm. In such a case, a plurality of the combined quantity of
bulk
product 16 of tank holds may be important.
[0034] Measurer 21 provides measurement 2110 of bulk product 16 in
storage location 20. Measurer 21 may be any one or plurality of devices and/or
means used to measure the level of the storage of bulk product 16. For exam-
ple, a pivoting swing arm float level measuring device and/or means capable of
converting analog movement to digital signals may be suitable for a fuel tank.
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Weight and/or laser quantity measurement device and/or means may be suitable
for solid bulk products. Pressure measurement device and/or means for a lique-
fied-gas tank may be suitable for bulk products normally in the gaseous phase
at
atmospheric pressure. Quantity evacuation measurement device and/or means
such as flow meters may be appropriate for storage locations such as water res-
ervoirs that are subject to draw down and variable inflow. Measurer 21 may be
any other device and/or means now known or yet to become known for measur-
ing storage levels.
[0035] Further, measurer 21 may have certain advantageous features
associated with it. Thus, it may be self-contained, i.e. remote battery
operated
device; be self-activating, self-initiating, and=or self-charging. Therefore,
in one
embodiment, the measurer 21 is self-activating and initiates contact with com-
puter 12 through associated devices andbr means. Such activation may occur
upon a specific time, passage of time, level of bulk product 16, or upon a
signal
initiated by the delivery of bulk product 16. To preserve battery life,
measurer 21
will normally be in the low power deactivated or in the sleep mode.
[003s] Associated with measurer 21 is data processor 23. Data proces-
sor 23 processes measurement 2110. This may occur by instructing measurer
21 to make a measurement, storing measurement 2110, and/or manipulating
measurement 2110 in association with an event or any other process. Data
processor 23 may include electronic and logic features capable of recording a
plurality of measurement 2110 and executing a variety of advantageous
features.
Such advantageous features may include being able to associate a plurality of
measurement 2110 with other references or data. In one embodiment, data
processor 23 associates measurement 2110 with a temporal and/or sequential
reference generated by a timer associates with data processor 23.
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[0037] In another embodiment, data processor 23 associates measure-
ment 2110 with a plurality of data signal received from transponders of
deliver-
ers, such as delivery vehicles. These signal may be both predetermined, such
as identification, and non-predetermined, such as quantity of bulk product 16
de-
livered. Data processor 23 may further associate measurement 2110 with a
predetermined level of particularity to such a delivery and/or deliverer
depending
on the need of any type of user 11.
[0038] In yet another embodiment, data processor 23 has the ability to
compare measurement 2110 with a predetermined storage level, and creating a
triggering event. Further, data processor 23 and other means and methods that
allow utilizing, and relating collected data to measurement 2110 and/or other
data, such as a triggering event.
[0039] Data processor 23 may be a flash-memory card, a hard drive as
commonly used on computers, a punch card recorder, a biochemical recorder
system, or any other device capable of recording data; it may further be a com-
puter, of any size or shape, to perform higher level functions, such.as
determin-
ing from measurement 2110 the relative value of miscible gas components. In
one embodiment, data processor 23 may be comprised of a memory capable of
storing a plurality of measurement levels 2110. In another embodiment, data
processor 23 is additionally capable of recognizing, storing, and/or
manipulating
data other than measurement 2110, such as delivery date, delivery means, and
other data by including a transponder in data processor 23. It wiii be seen by
someone skilled in the art that it is possible to configure data processor 23
to per-
form an almost unlimited variety of processing tasks associated with system
10.
[oo4o] Computer 12 may be of any type of computing device capable of
performing the functions described herein. Computer 12 may be a personal
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computer, minicomputer, mainframe, supercomputer, web server, or an aggrega-
tion of computers in a distributed computer network, or a combination thereof.
The computer may be physically located anywhere convenient or expeditious to
system 10 or as required by law, regulation, or contract.
[0041] Database 14 preferably is a database that is generally known in
the art and capable of storing a plurality of files. The invention also encom-
.
passes a single database and/or multiple databases; relational, non-relational
and/or unique type of database.
[oo421' It will also be seen by a person skilled in the art that a distributed
processing network may be substituted for any part of computer 12 or database
14 or work in conjunction with computer 12 or database 14.
[0043) User 11 in system 10 may be an employee or agent of fuel dis+
tributor; employee or agent of delivery systems; administrator manager; re-
searcher, customer service personnel; regulator; accrediting organization;
insurer
and/or re-insurer; escrow agent; system administrator and/or manager; computer
technician; accountant, vendor; subcontractor; and any other person or entity
for
whom authorized access to the system 10 will be beneficial. Similarly, user 11
in
some circumstances may be a computer or computer system that is needed or
beneficial for the system 10 or for another user 11, such as the computer of a
user's insurer or governmental agency needed for necessary interactions such
as regulatory matters. It will also be seen by one skilled in the art, that
where
one user 11 is shown a plurality may be appropriate, such as when one user 11
is shown, a committee may be appropriate, or a consultant firm, and is
included
in term "user".
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too44] In one embodiment, user 11 is an employee or agent of a regula-
tory organization such as a govemmental agency charged with environmental
protection and compliance. In that instance, the user 11 is monitoring the
stor-
,age'location 20 for regulatory compliance.
[0045] In another embodiment, user 11 is an employee or agent of an
entity needing to site fungible products in a storage location 20 that may
already
have similar fungible bulk product 16. In that instance, the user 11 will also
have
need to monitor and authorize the removal of bulk product 16.
[0046] In another embodiment, user 11 is an employee or agent of an
entity managing the trading of buik product 16 or the retention of bulk
product 16
in escrow.
[0047] In another embodiment,: user 11 is an employee or agent of an
entity operating an exchange for trading of storage potential of storage
location
20. Additional users 11 may be purchasers, investors, speculators, sellers,
and/or those storing bulk product 16 in storage location 20.
[o048] It will be readily seen by one skilled in the relevant art that each
user 11 can be provided authorized access, or conversely denied authorized ac-
cess, to any part or the entire of system 10 according to level or levels or
based
on individual need or benefit. Access is the capability for the usage of
system 10
as represented by the functional software modules of computer 12. Users 11 are
given authorized access that may include limitations or qualifications.
Qualified .
access may not be full access, for example qualified access to system 10 may
be
limited in scope and time and determined uniformly or individually.
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[ooag] It is also readily apparent that the criteria determining, establish-
ing, modifying, withdrawing, or disabling such authorized access can be made
ahead of time, and based on one or more factors; such as the function of user
11
,or the need of system 10, frequency of that function or need, regulatory
compli-
ance, or other reasons.
[0050] Conversely, criteria for determining, establishing, modifying, with-
drawing, or disabling authorized access can be determined at the time the
issue
of the access provided to user 11 to system 10 arises. It is equally:apparent
that
alerting, monitoring, analysis, and/or recordation of the use, misuse, and/or
abuse of the authorized access privilege may be continuous, intermittent,
and/or
random and include features that hinder, prevent, or deny opportunity for
misuse
or abuse of the authorized access privilege. Other features that secure the
integ-
rity of system 10 may also be incorporated *into system 10. Associated with
computer 12 is access interface 18. As used herein, access interface 18 is
either
hardware or software that permits user 11 and communicator 22 to access the
system 10 from a plurality of computer and/or communications protocols. Thus,
access interface 18 may be a modem connected to communications network 17.
Access interface 18 may also be any other device or devices capable of connect-
ing and communicating with user 11 and/or with communicator 22. It will be ap-
parent to one skilled in the art that access interface 18 can also be a
communica-
tions portal, such as a web portal.
[oo5ij Associated with measurer 21 is communicator 22. Communica-
tor 22 may be a modem connected to one or more communication networks 17 -
or any other device capable of connecting and communicating over one or more
communication networks 17 now known or to be developed. Communication
network 17 may be a wireless voice or data network; a radio receiving,
transmit-
ting, or paging network; or a combination thereof, such as Point-to-Muitipoint
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Wide Area, Network (WAN), wifieiess local loop (WLL), or other network types
known or to be developed. Preferably, a computer network is linked to commu-
nications network 17. Communicator 22 may also be directly linked to computer
12 where this communications network 17 is the direct iink. Further, communica-
tion network 17 may be a plurality of networks and/or communication devices
and/or means.
[oo521 For example, user 11 may wish to instruct the communicator 22
to perform a device calibration and integrity check. Thus, the communications
network 17 may include a computer network link frorim user 11 to,computer 12
and a wireless network link from computer 12'to communicator 22.
[oo531 The communication integration software 19 operates on com-
puter 12. Communication integration software 19 permits user 11 and communi-
cator 22 utilizing disparate platforms to communicate inrith the system 10.
Dispa-
rate platforms are the result of using differing architectures related to
hardware
and/or software standards employed on microelectronic devices. For example
for computers, Digital UNV~maybe the operating system employed on a com-
puter with an Alpha central processor, Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX on a PA-RISC*
central processor, IBM AIX`'bn a PowerPC based central processing unit, Sun
Micros.ystems' Solaris operating system on a SPARC workstation. Disparate pro-
tocols that user 11 or communicator 22 may use also include wireless protocols
of varying types; for example: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Carrier
Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA), Time Division Multiple
Access (TDMA), Lightweight & Efficient Application Protocols (LEAP), Global
System for Mobil Communications (GSM). Similarly, the disparate protocols may
be related to proprietary and patented standards such as Blackberry or
Wireless
Application Protocol (WAP) or may be related to Side Band Automatic Meter
Reading protocols.
* Trademarks
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[0054] Preferably, the communication integration occurs through soft-
ware executing on the computer 12 that receives various inputs through the
communications network 17 for integrating various types of networks, such as
Wireless LANs, portable computing clients, or other types of networks known or
to be developed. However; the communication integration may also occur
through software for interpreting data encoded utilizing an open standard such
as
the Extensible Mark-up Language (XML). It may also occur through hardware
and/or software capable of integrating user 11 and communicator 22 communica-
tion protocols for use in accessing the system 10.
[0055] In another embodiment, system 10 includes monitor 25. Monitor
25 may be the capability of detecting AC power loss detection or water in the
basement alarm, measuring fuel oil burned operation, monitoring burner effi-
ciency, home smoke detectors and alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and
alarms, glass break detection and alarm, intrusion detection and alarm, air
quality
monitoring, regulatory compliance monitoring, and/or any other device, means,
or
system now known or to be invented and suited for the type of monitoring per-
formed, and an interface or interfaces that connect to data processor 23.
[0056] Figure 2 depicts the administrative software module 30 of system
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized` user 11
accesses computer 12 of system 10 through communications network 17, access
node 1810 of access interface 18, and communication integration software proc-
ess 1910 of communication integration software 19 and is authorized. User 11
completes the necessary enrollment request 3010 of administrative software
module 30 to enroll a storage location 20 by disclosing a plurality of storage
loca-
tion data, such as storage potential and means to contact communicator 22 of
storage location 20. Request 3010 along with the information that user 11 pro-
vided is processed by request process 3011 which creates storage location file
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3012 and storage location authenticator 3014. Both are stored on database 14
so that they are associated with each other. Storage location authenticator
3014
will grant appropriate access to the system 10 to data processor 23 which
stores
a copy of storage location authenticator 3014.
[0057] Figure 3 depicts the data capture software module 40 in accor-
dance with one embodiment of the invention. Data capture software module 40
of computer 12 is initiated upon instruction from user 11 or upon triggering
from
another software module and contacts and communicator 22 by sending data re-
quest 4010 through communications integration process 1910 of communications
integration software 19 and access node 1810 of access interface 18. In re-
sponse, data processor 23 via communicator 22 sends authenticator 3014 by re-
turn path and data processor 23 and measurer 21 are authenticated by computer
12 through the use of authenticator 3014. At that time, measurer 21 may be in-
structed to make a measurement 2110 or instructions may be issued by com-*
puter 12 to access storage measurementJevel data andlor other data previously
saved by the data processor 23. The requested information is formatted into
data file 4011 stored by data processor 23 is sent by communicator 22 and is
forwarded to data capture software module 40. Transmission handler 41 copies
data file 4011 to a file repository of database 14 where the data can be
backed
up and restored. Transmission handier 41 then forwards data file 4011 to data
extraction module 42. Data extraction module 42 parses data file 4011 for rele-
vant information and saves the information in a predetermined form in record
file
4012. Relevant information for record file 4012 may be any relevant
information
deemed useful by user 11 and may be predetermined. Data-loading module 48
saves record file 4012 to database 14.
[0058] In one embodiment, contact with data capture software module
40 is initiated by the data processor 23 associated with measurer 21. Such con-
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tact may be the result of a delivery of bulk product 16 and subsequent
triggering
of a new measurement 2110 by measurer 21. It may also be the result of sched-
uled data requests.
joo591 Figure 4 depicts the management software moduie 50 of system
10. in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized user 11
accesses computer 12 of system 10 through communications network 17, access
node 1810 of access interface 18, and communication integration software proc-
ess 1910 of communication integration software 19 and is authorized. User 11
completes query request 5010 of management software module 50. Query
builder interface 51 submits query request 5010 to the query builder 52 which
queries database 14 for such files as the set of record file 4012. Query
builder
51 then retrieves result set 5012. Result set 5012 is the formatted by data
for
matter 53 into result file 5014 and forwarded to user 11 via query.resuft
interface
54.
too6o) Further management software module 50 includes scheduling
software module 55 of system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the in-
vention. Pre-authorized user 11 accesses computer 12 of system 10 through
communications network 17, access node 1810 of access interface 18, and
communication integration software process 1910 of communication integration
software 19 and is authorized. User 11 completes schedule request 5510 of
scheduling software module 55 to initiate a scheduled activity. Such a request
would typically include identification.of the storage location scheduling data
and
any other information deemed pertinent information. Scheduler 56 saves
schedule request 5510 to database 14. Upon the scheduled instance in sched-
ule request 5510, scheduling software module 55 passes an instruction file to
data capture software module 40 to trigger the module to capture the requested
data.
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[00611 Schedule request 5510 may also be a request for scheduling
software module 55 to trigger the creation of a report according to one or
more
predetermined queries at predetermined times. Thereby, upon the scheduled
instance in schedule request 5510, scheduling software module 55 passes an
instruction file to management software module 50 to create query request 5010
within the predetermined parameters of schedule request 5510.In one embodi-
ment, software module 50 includes an accounting software, such as accounting
module, that allows for generating billing and remittances, including credit
card
authorizations. Such accounting software may further have the ability to calcu-
late and determine an annual-averaged bill on a periodic basis.
[00621 In one embodiment, software module 50 includes reporting soft-
ware, such as reporting module, that according to a predetermined protocol re-
port send the results of a query, result file 5014, via communication network
17 in
the form of an e-mail, a fax,'or a voice mail message, or generate a web page,
such as an active server page, ftp, or any other method.
[0063) Associated with management software module 50 is delivery
analysis software module 70. Delivery analysis software module 70 may include
one or a plurality of software modules, such as route optimization,
geographical
information and/or positioning systems, personnel management, and/or any other
software and/or system that allow further management and/or reporting of data
associate with system 10, preferably but not necessarily limited to data
associ-
ated to the delivery and/or replenishment of bulk product 16 of storage
location
20.
[oo64] In one preferred embodiment, software module 70 includes a
route optimization software, such as route optimization module, that permit
deliv-
eries to be scheduled according to threshold storage levels of bulk product
16.
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[o0s51' fn one embodiment, software module 70 includes a geographical
information system or an access interface to such a system and would be acces-
sible over communications network 17 through the Intemet, via wireless web en-
abled system, an/or any other convenient device and/or means. The geographi-
cal information system would associate geographical positions of storage loca-
tions, geographical positions of deliverers to known geographical data.
Available
and useful data may be transportation routes such as roadways, pipelines, and
waterways, and their relative levels of congestion. Associated with that data
in
geographical information system may be route limitations, such as bridge
weight
or clearance limits, waterway limits on hazardous material shipment and/or
other
data useful and/or pertinent. Through this sy5tem,
[00661 In one embodiment, software module 70 includes a personnel
management system that has the ability to schedule personnel within the limita-
tions set by regufatory authorities, such as 49 CFR 350.
[00671 It will be seen by someone skilled in the art that other manage-
ment and software modules may be included.
[00681 Figure 5 depicts the monitoring software module 60 of system 10
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized user 11 has
previously enrolled storage location 20 in system 10 and created monitoring
file
6010 which has been saved to database 14. Monitoring file 6010 may include all
such information user 11 finds useful to be monitored. For example, if user 11
is
a fuel oil distributor who has entered into an exclusive supply contract, the
dis-
tributor may wish to guard against rogue deliveries. Distributor user 11
enrolls
the storage location 20 for bulk product 16, a tank hold, and installs
measurer 21,
data processor 23, and communicator 22 associated with storage location 20.
Distributor user 11 then completes monitoring file 6010 which monitoring soft-
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ware module 60 saves to database 14. Monitoring process 61 then forwards in-
struction file 6110 to data processor 23 using the communications path of com-
munication integration software process 1910 of communication integration soft-
ware 19, access node 1810 of access interface 18, and communication network
17 to communicator 22. Data processor 23 saves instruction file in its memory.
When bulk product 16 is filled, it causes measurer 21 to take measurement 2110
which measurer 21 forwards to data processor 23. Data processor 23 is so con-
figured that it recognizes that measurement 2110 exceeds parameters set in in-
struction file 6110. Data processor23 configures a result file, file 2310, and
by
return path to computer 10 sends file 2310 along with previously-stored
storage
location authenticator 3014. Monitoring software module 60 then analyzes file
2310 and sends an alert 6120 to user 11'informing him that the parameters cre-
ated in monitoring file 6010 have been exceeded. User 11 the may take action
or further use system 10 such as accessing data base 14 by creating queries
and
analyzing results further.
[006sj Figure 6 depicts the authorization software module 90 of system
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Authorization software
module 90 secures system 10 by managing the authorization and granting of au-
thorization with and/or without human intervention of a system administrator.
Unauthorized user 11 accesses computer 12 of system 10 through communica-
tions network 17, access*node 1810 of access interface 18, and communication
integration software process 1910 of communication integration software 19.
User 11 who requests authorization receives qualified access to system 10 from
authorization software module 90. Using the qualified access and using system
10, user 11 completes the necessary authorization request 9010, such as an ap-
plication, and/or specific professional, and biographic information. Request
9010
along with the information user 11 provided is processed by request process
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which creates user file 9012 and authenticator 9014. Both are stored on
9011
database 14 so that they are associated with each other.
[00701 If user 11 is approved by a verification process, user 11 will be is-
sued authenticator 9014 that will grant appropriate access to the system 10.
Au-
thenticators that may be employed for a user 11 are known to be password,
passcode, voice recognition, smart card technology, or biometric recognition.
The appropriateness of assigning the type of authenticator 9014 can be deter-
mined according to standards understood by one skilled in the art and predeter-
mined by the institution and/or in compliance with external constraints.
,
[0071] The authorization process may include a proscnbed verification
process that may be attuned to the information supplied and/or level of access
sought. The process for verifying the information is determined through
available
means.and channels, such as record databases external and internal to the sys-
tem 10.
10072] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of granting user 11 authorized
access to system 10. User 11 accesses computer 12 of system 10 through com-
munications network 17 and access node 1810 of access interface 18 and
communication integration software process 1910 of communication integration
software 19. Upon request of computer 12 user 11 provides previously issued
authenticator 9014. Computer 12 verifies authenticator 9014 through authentica-
tion process 9016 which queries database 14 for a copy of authenticator 9014.
Upon verification computer 12 grants access by access process 9017 or upon
failure to verify denies access at denial process 9018.
