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WO-2026096728-A1 - CONCRETE MIXER CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MESSAGING INTEGRATION

WO2026096728A1WO 2026096728 A1WO2026096728 A1WO 2026096728A1WO-2026096728-A1

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for improving control of electronic messages sent between an end user of a concrete mixer vehicle and a service provider. The method and system may include steps, devices, and features to provide a communication bus accessible by the end user and by at least one service provider, provide to the end user a selection of messaging options, and, based on the messaging options selected by the end user, operate the communication bus to limit messages sent to the at least one service provider. The methods and systems also may include operating the communication bus to limit messages sent to the end user, may include providing to the at least one service provider a selection of messaging options that is generated based on the messaging options selected by the end user.

Inventors

  • DATEMA, Bryan Scott
  • GLUNZ, Clint Daniel
  • LIU, Qiyi
  • KLASSEN, Justin Allen

Assignees

  • LMI US, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251030
Priority Date
20241030

Claims (14)

  1. 1. A method for improving control of electronic messages sent between an end user of a concrete mixer vehicle and a service provider, comprising: providing a communication bus accessible by the end user and by at least one service provider; providing to the end user a selection of messaging options; and based on the messaging options selected by the end user, operating the communication bus to limit messages sent to the at least one service provider.
  2. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising operating the communication bus to limit messages sent to the end user.
  3. 3. The method of claim 1, comprising providing to the at least one service provider a selection of messaging options that is generated based on the messaging options selected by the end user.
  4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the end user is a driver of the vehicle.
  5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the end user is a vehicle operator, the communication bus is accessible to the vehicle operator via a remote electronic system separate from an onboard electronic system of the vehicle, and the selection of messaging options is made via the remote electronic system.
  6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication bus is accessible by at least two service providers, and the selection of messaging options provided to the end user is provided as a menu providing identification of the at least two service providers.
  7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the end user menu provides messaging options to the end user based on the identification of the service provider.
  8. 8. A concrete mixer system comprising a control system control for electronic messages sent between an end user of a concrete mixer vehicle and a service provider, the control system configured to: provide a communication bus accessible by the end user and by at least one service provider; provide to the end user a selection of messaging options; and Attorney Docket No RIG03-GN092-24 based on the messaging options selected by the end user, operate the communication bus to limit messages sent to the at least one service provider.
  9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication bus is operated to limit messages sent to the end user.
  10. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the system provides to the at least one service provider a selection of messaging options that is generated based on the messaging options selected by the end user.
  11. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the end user is a driver of the vehicle.
  12. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the end user is a vehicle operator, the communication bus is made accessible to the vehicle operator via a remote electronic system separate from an onboard electronic system of the vehicle, and the selection of messaging options is made via the remote electronic system.
  13. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication bus is made accessible by at least two service providers, and the selection of messaging options provided to the end user is provided as a menu providing identification of the at least two service providers.
  14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the end user menu provides messaging options to the end user based on the identification of the service provider.

Description

Attorney Docket No RIG03-GN092-24 TITLE: CONCRETE MIXER CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MESSAGING INTEGRATION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/713,782 filed October 30, 2024. The contents of the foregoing application are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This disclosure relates to control systems for operation of concrete mixer machines and concrete mixer vehicles, and in particular, to integration of messaging relating to mixer controls and operational parameters. BACKGROUND [0003] There is a continuing need for improvement in increasing the ease and efficiency of operations, and improving accuracy of control, of concrete mixer vehicles and similar machinery. Such concrete mixer vehicles are generally described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 10,239,403 issued March 26, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [0004] Owners, contractors, managers, and fleet managers (hereinafter, collectively called “owners” for convenience) of concrete mixer vehicles use telecommunications and informatics technologies systems to monitor, collect, transmit, and employ data about the vehicles and their operations. Typically, the telecommunications and informatics technologies systems connect vehicles to a central platform for real-time tracking and analysis. A vehicle’s onboard electronic devices may include various sensors and GPS units installed in the truck that collect and transmit data on concrete mixer operations such as mixer drum status, mixer drum operational conditions, truck location, speed, fuel consumption, engine performance, braking, and more. A data communication network is employed to transmit the truck’s collected data via cellular, satellite, or Wi-Fi networks to a cloud-based or centralized system. A third party’s platform, such as a third- party vendor’s telematics platform, utilizes software that aggregates and analyzes the inbound data, and generates signals and commands based on the inbound data. The generated signals and commands also may be centrally generated by the vendor’s platform independent of the inbound data; for example, the vendor’s platform may independently generate a software update to be communicated on-air back to the owner and to the truck’s onboard device. The Attorney Docket No RIG03-GN092-24 telecommunications system then may be employed by the vendor’s platform to convey back to the owners, and to the onboard devices, outbound data, signals, and commands relating to operations of the vehicles and their components. The outbound data, signals, and commands issued by a vendor thus may be communicated to owners through the owner’s computer system located in owner facilities, and to drivers via the onboard electronic devices, which communicate to the drivers via displays, signals, and other communication means in the truck. [0005] A number of problems arise for owners in connection with the use of the foregoing systems. Often, an owner will be operating a number of different brands, models, and types of concrete mixer vehicles, each having different components, features, and functions. As a result, the outbound data described above that is sent out by vendors might be relevant only to some of the owner’s trucks, and not to other trucks. Another problem arises in that an owner might subscribe to a number of different third-party vendor platforms. The owner may have a need to control flow of inbound data and outbound commands and signals that are communicated among the owner, the various vendor platforms, and the vehicle, based on the owner’s information security needs. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0006] The present disclosure includes an improved method, vehicle, device, system, and controller system for concrete mixer applications. In particular, an improved control system is provided for control of system messaging. [0007] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further examples, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. l is a diagram illustrating a method and a system for concrete mixer vehicle messaging control according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. [0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a control system for concrete mixer vehicle messaging control according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS [0010] For the purposes of clearly describing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner, and process of making and using the same, and to enable the practice, making and use of the same, reference will now be made to cert