EP-4742724-A2 - TRUCK-TABLET INTERFACE

Abstract

A materials handling vehicle comprises a distributed processor system including a vehicle network that facilitates an exchange of information with vehicle electronic components, and a distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture. The distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture includes an embedded information core having a core processor communicably coupled to the vehicle network, and a tablet having a tablet processor, where the tablet is communicably couplable to, and detachable from the distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture. When the tablet is detached from the distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture, the core processor functions as a primary processor that communicates with vehicle electronic components by communicating therewith across the vehicle network. When the tablet is communicably attached to the distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture, the tablet processor functions as the primary processor, and the core processor functions as a subordinate processor.

Inventors

• GROTHAUS, Brent
• WINNER, DEAN
• CASTANEDA, Anthony
• WALTON, DAN
• DENISON, Ray
• Wagner, Allen
• FRADY, JAMISON

Assignees

• Crown Equipment Corporation

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20220520

Claims (10)

1. A process for securing access to a materials handling vehicle, the process comprising: coupling a tablet to a materials handling vehicle via a wired open standard communications protocol; receiving a first device identification of the tablet coupled via the wired open standard communications protocol; storing the first device identification in memory; receiving a second device identification via a wireless open standard communications protocol; determining whether another device is already communicably coupled to the materials handling vehicle via the wireless open standard communications protocol; and communicably coupling the tablet to the materials handling vehicle via the wireless open standard communications protocol if another device is not already coupled to the materials handling vehicle via the wireless open standard communications protocol and the second device identification matches the first device identification.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein the tablet runs an Android operating system.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein: receiving the first device identification and/or receiving the second device identification comprises receiving a communication in the form of a packet.
4. The process of claim 3, wherein the packet is wrapped with an encryption.
5. The process of claim 1 further comprising: authenticating the tablet to a remote server using an authentication protocol.
6. The process of claim 1 further comprising: authenticating the tablet to a remote server using a randomized cypher every time a socket is opened between the tablet and the remote server.
7. The process of claim 1 further comprising: providing on the materials handling vehicle, a processor coupled to memory, the processor implementing software code to read a current state of vehicle operational parameters and to store the current state of the vehicle operational parameters in the memory; and configuring the tablet to not store vehicle operational parameters unless specifically instructed by the materials handling vehicle processor to do so.
8. The process of claim 7 further comprising: instructing by the processor of the materials handling vehicle, the tablet to store a current state of the vehicle operational parameters so that the tablet can communicate at least one vehicle operational parameter to a remote device regardless of whether the materials handling vehicle is powered or whether the materials handling vehicle is powered down.
9. The process of claim 1 wherein: coupling the tablet to the materials handling vehicle via the wired open standard communications protocol comprises coupling the tablet to the materials handling vehicle via a universal serial bus.
10. The process of claim 1 wherein: receiving the second device identification via the wireless open standard communications protocol comprises receiving the second device identification via a select one of Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, or cellular.

Description

BACKGROUND ART The present embodiments relate in general to a materials handling vehicle having a computer-controlled interface, and in particular, to a materials handling vehicle that incorporates a conventional tablet computer, e.g., a ruggedized tablet, as an interface. Materials handling vehicles are commonly used for picking stock in warehouses and distribution centers. Such vehicles typically include a power unit and a load handling assembly, which may include load carrying forks. In a typical warehouse implementation, a management system directs the tasks of the materials handling vehicle operator, e.g., by instructing the materials handling vehicle operator where and/or how to pick, pack, put away, move, stage, process or otherwise move items within a facility. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to aspects of the present disclosure, a materials handling vehicle communication system comprises a vehicle network, an embedded information core, and a tablet. The vehicle network facilitates an exchange of information with electronic components associated with a materials handling vehicle. Thus, for example, the vehicle network can be implemented as a network that is integral to the materials handling vehicle, such as a CAN bus, RS422 bus, etc. The embedded information core includes a core processor communicably coupled to the vehicle network. In this regard, the embedded information core may be integral to the materials handling vehicle. Also, the tablet includes a tablet processor. When the tablet is communicably coupled to the embedded information core, the tablet processor functions in cooperation with the core processor, defining a distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture where the core processor and the tablet processor cooperate to exchange at least one vehicle parameter between the tablet and an associated one of the vehicle electronic components. In some embodiments, when the tablet is communicably coupled to the embedded information core, the tablet processor functions as an auxiliary processor to the core processor defining a distributed multi-processor vehicle control architecture where the core processor and auxiliary processor cooperate to exchange at least one vehicle parameter between the tablet and an associated one of the electronic components. According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a process for modifying an operation of a materials handling vehicle is provided. The process comprises receiving an electrical signal representing an instruction to modify an operating condition of the materials handling vehicle. In this regard, the instruction is received from a tablet, and the instruction is formatted in an open standard communication protocol. In some embodiments, the open standard communication protocol is open, but the information itself is confused or encrypted such that it cannot be readily or easily intercepted, understood, or otherwise used in un-intended ways. The process also comprises converting the instruction received in the open standard communication protocol to a modification command to modify an associated electrical component of the materials handling vehicle according to a parameter extracted from the instruction. Also, the process comprises transmitting the modification command to the electrical component of the materials handling vehicle via a vehicle network of the materials handling vehicle. Here, the electrical component receives the modification command and transforms an operating state of the electrical component so as to cause an overall modification of the operation of the materials handling vehicle. According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a process for securing access to a materials handling vehicle is provided. The process comprises coupling a tablet to a materials handling vehicle via a wired open standard communications protocol, and receiving a first device identification of the tablet coupled via the wired open standard communications protocol. The process also comprises storing the first device identification in memory. The process yet further comprises receiving a second device identification via a wireless open standard communications protocol. The process may optionally comprise determining whether another device is already coupled to the materials handling vehicle via the wireless open standard communications protocol. Also, the process comprises coupling the tablet to the materials handling vehicle via the wireless open standard communications protocol if another device is not already communicably coupled to the materials handling vehicle via the wireless open standard communications protocol and the second device identification matches the first device identification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a materials handling vehicle computing enterprise, according to aspects of the present disclosure;FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a special purpose processing device on a materials han