Virtual safety gate

A system, comprising:

• an entrance sensor is positioned at a doorway of a loading dock;
• wherein the loading dock has a dock plate at the doorway;
• a safety controller operatively coupled to the entrance sensor;
• a loading dock coupler operatively coupled to the safety controller;
• wherein the loading dock coupler is located before the doorway of the loading dock;
• a vehicle controller configured to control a forklift;
• a forklift coupler operatively coupled to the vehicle controller;
• wherein the loading dock coupler is configured to communicate with the forklift coupler when the forklift coupler is positioned to face the loading dock coupler;
• a plate detector operatively coupled to the vehicle controller;
• wherein the vehicle controller of the forklift is configured to latch to a safe to enter status upon receiving a safe to enter status signal from the loading dock coupler;
• and
• wherein the vehicle controller is configured to permit the forklift to enter the doorway of the loading dock when the plate detector detects the dock plate and the safe to enter status is present.

A method, comprising:

• monitoring an entrance for entry with an entrance sensor;
• transmitting a safe to enter status from an entrance status coupler when the entrance sensor does not detect entry;
• receiving the safe to enter status with a vehicle coupler mounted to a vehicle;
• moving the vehicle towards the entrance;
• detecting an entryway zone of the entrance with an entryway zone detector mounted on the vehicle;
• and
• advancing the vehicle through the entrance upon the receiving the safe to enter status and the detecting the entryway zone.