PowerFleet (PWFL) USPTO patents

The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for weighing transportation vehicles and cargo and determining their load state.

A wireless authentication interference unit comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; and a controller configured to: detect, via the receiver, a first wireless signal indicative of a wireless authentication protocol between an authentication terminal and an authentication key; and output, via the transmitter, an interference signal during a broadcast of an authentication message from the authentication key, wherein the interference signal disrupts authentication of the authentication key by the authentication terminal.

A cargo-sensing unit including: an image sensor; a transceiver; at least one processor; and a memory having stored thereon computer program code that, when executed by the processor, controls the at least one processor to: receive, from a controlling server and through the transceiver, an instruction to capture an image of cargo space within a cargo container; control the image sensor to capture an image of the cargo space in response to receiving the instruction; and operate in accordance with a determined cargo container status based on an analysis of the captured image.

A cargo-sensing unit including: an image sensor; at least one processor; and a memory having stored thereon computer program code that, when executed by the processor, controls the at least one processor to: instruct the image sensor to capture an image of a cargo space within a cargo container; compare the captured image to a baseline image of an empty cargo container; and determine, based on the comparison between the captured image and the baseline image, a cargo space utilization estimate.

A cargo-sensing unit including: an image sensor; a transceiver; at least one processor; and a memory having stored thereon computer program code that, when executed by the processor, controls the at least one processor to: receive, from a controlling server and through the transceiver, an instruction to capture an image of cargo space within a cargo container; control the image sensor to capture an image of the cargo space in response to receiving the instruction; and operate in accordance with a determined cargo container status based on an analysis of the captured image.

A diagnostic port connector for a vehicle that includes a locking mechanism is disclosed.

A power source and power management system including: a controller configured to transmit tracking information of the power source and power management system; an energy harvesting power source; a non-degrading rechargeable power source electrically connected to the energy harvesting power source and configured to be recharged by energy generated by the energy harvesting power source; and a power manager configured to control switching of a system power source between the energy harvesting power source and the non-degrading rechargeable power source based on a power state of the energy harvesting power source and a power state of the non-degrading rechargeable power source.

A multi-relay including a first relay switch operable over a first current range; a second relay switch operable over a second current range; and a current sensor configured to: detect an input current; in response to the input current being within the first current range, activate the first relay switch; and in response to the input current being within the second current range, activate the second relay switch.