WO2016154674A1

WO2016154674A1 - A system for real-time monitoring of vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2016154674A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas John KNIGHT
Original assignee: Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited
Priority date: 2015-03-30
Filing date: 2016-03-29
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

A system for real-time monitoring of vehicles is disclosed, including a customer personal computing device, a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, a central server processing system and a home base work station located at the home base of each of the vehicles in order to identify in real time, the location of each vehicle with the system on an electronically displayed map interface. The customer personal computing device is configured for sending information to a central server processing system, the customer submitting an electronic order for one or more ordered goods to be delivered to a delivery location and receive location data from at least one vehicle mounted device.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING OF VEHICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a computerised system for monitoring one or more vehicle locations and statistics relating thereto.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Automatic vehicle location (AVL or -locating; telelocating in EU) is a means for automatically determining and transmitting the geographic location of a vehicle. This data, from one or more vehicles, may then be collected by a vehicle tracking system for a picture of vehicle travel.

[0003] Large private telelocation or AVL systems send data from GPS receivers in vehicles to a dispatch centre over their private, user-owned radio backbone. These systems are used for businesses like parcel delivery and ambulances. Smaller systems which don't justify building a separate radio system use cellular or PCS data services to communicate location data from vehicles to their dispatching centre. Location data is periodically polled from each vehicle in a fleet by a central controller or computer. In the simplest systems, data from the GPS receiver is displayed on a map allowing humans to determine the location of each vehicle. More complex systems feed the data into a computer assisted dispatch system which automates the process.

[0004] An explanation of the problems associated with employers utilising drivers to deliver goods or provide services to customers or members is given in Australian Innovation Patent No. 2014101356.

[0005] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to a system for real-time monitoring of vehicles, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0007] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a system for real-time or near real time monitoring of vehicles, the system including a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, a central server processing system and a home base work station located at the home base of each of the vehicles; a) the vehicle mounted device including

i. at least one location receiver to obtain location data indicative of a location of the vehicle in real time or near real time,

ii. a wireless communication module to transfer information relating to the location data and

iii. at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted

device to a power supply system of the vehicle; at least one identification tool associated with the vehicle mounted device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device within the system, b) the central server processing system to receive the location data from each vehicle mounted device and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to the real time or near real time location of each vehicle to the home base workstation; and c) the home base work station including

i. at least one electronic display with a map interface updated in real time or near real time indicating the real-time or near real time location of the vehicles on the map interface using the information transferred from the central server processing system;

ii. at least one input device for input of data into the home base workstation; and iii. at least one identification tool reader to read the unique identification tool

associated with each vehicle mounted device to identify the vehicle mounted device as well as information and data pertaining thereto, within the system.

[0008] The system of the present invention is directed toward real-time monitoring of delivery drivers, vehicles and the deliveries being delivered. The system of the present invention is based on interaction with an automated vehicle location system which may or may not be a proprietary system owned by third party.

[0009] In another form, the present invention resides broadly in a customer personal computing device operating compliant software system for real-time or near real time monitoring of vehicles, the customer personal computing device for sending information to a central server processing system, the customer submitting an electronic order for one or more ordered goods to be delivered to a delivery location, submission of the electronic order by a customer via the customer personal computing device operating compliant software the customer personal computing device in communication with a central server processing system to receive location data from at least one vehicle mounted device and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to the real time or near real time location of each vehicle to the customer personal computing device operating compliant software.

[0010] The customer personal computing device preferably obtains the location data from a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, the vehicle mounted device including i. at least one location receiver to obtain location data indicative of a location of the vehicle in real time or near real time,

iii. at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted

device to a power supply system of the vehicle; and

iv. at least one identification tool associated with the vehicle mounted device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device within the system.

[0011] In still another form, the present invention resides broadly in a central server processing system for real-time or near real time monitoring of vehicles , the central server processing system to receive location data from a vehicle mounted device mounted to a vehicle and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to a real time or near real time location of each vehicle to a home base workstation including i. at least one electronic display with a map interface updated in real time indicating the real-time or near real time location of the vehicles on the map interface using the information transferred from the central server processing system;

ii. at least one input device for input of data into the home base workstation; and iii. at least one identification tool reader to read the unique identification tool of each vehicle mounted device to identify the vehicle mounted device as well as information and data pertaining thereto within the system.

[0012] The central server processing system preferably further includes a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, the vehicle mounted device including: i. at least one location receiver to obtain location data indicative of a location of the vehicle in real time or near real time, ii. a wireless communication module to transfer information relating to the location data and

iii. at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted

device to a power supply system of the vehicle; and

[0013] It is preferred that the system of the present invention locate the vehicles through the vehicle mounted device in real time on near real-time. It is particularly preferred that the vehicle mounted device allow the location of the vehicle based on information collected on a second by second basis. The collected information may be sent as collected or a packet of information collected over a period, preferably a short period, may be sent periodically. Due to the second by second data and/or vector data, the automated vehicle location system is typically able to give not only the location of the vehicle and but also the direction of travel of the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle due to the availability of second by second information.

[0014] The system of the present invention includes multiple parts that operate together to track the location of the vehicle through the vehicle mounted device and also to keep record of data from each vehicle mounted device in order to keep the home base workstation informed and/or to log data in relation to each vehicle. This allows not only tracking of the vehicles, but also management of the delivery vehicles, the deliveries themselves including dispatch management, safety record management, maintenance records and management-end forensic examination in case of any issues or problems.

[0015] The system of the present invention includes a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle. The vehicle mounted device may be mounted temporarily to the vehicle or more permanently. Typically, permanent mounting or attachment will be used where the vehicle is a company delivery vehicle rather than an independent contractor vehicle which is used only temporarily during a driver shift as a delivery vehicle and is used as a personal vehicle other times.

[0016] The components of the vehicle mounted device may be integrated and provided as one unit or may be separately mounted to the vehicle or a portion of the vehicle. One or more components of the vehicle mounted device may be connected to other components of the invention. In particular, the at least one unique identification tool may be associated with vehicle mounted device or be separate therefrom. [0017] As mentioned above, the vehicle mounted device may be mounted on or in the vehicle. For example, the vehicle mounted device may be what is termed in the art as a "car topper" for use with vehicle which is only temporarily operated as a delivery vehicle and from which the car topper can be removed as required at the end of the shift. The car topper can have any configuration but typically, will be illuminated in order to provide advertising material thereon or at least identification of the company or business undertaking the delivery particularly at night.

[0018] Where a company delivery vehicle is provided, the vehicle mounted device can be permanently fixed in or to the vehicle. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a company vehicle, the company vehicle will normally be a car, a scooter or electric bicycle.

[0019] Further, a portable vehicle mounted device may be provided without signage and which can simply be maintained within the vehicle but removable as required.

[0020] The vehicle mounted device includes at least one location receiver to obtain location data indicative of a location of the vehicle in real time. As mentioned above, second by second data is normally provided and this will allow the location of the vehicle to be determined substantially in real time or near real-time, limited only by the processing ability and

connectivity of the system.

[0021] The at least one location receiver will typically interact with a location network to determine the location of the location receiver and thereby, determine the location of the vehicle. In a particularly preferred form, the at least one location receiver will be a GPS receiver.

[0022] Preferably, the location is determined as close as possible to real time. This is particularly powerful when based on second by second or breadcrumb data, as it allows the tracking of location precisely and preferably dynamically over time rather than prior art systems which only collect location data at particular time steps which can be separated by five or more seconds. Those systems give no feedback as to what has occurred between the time steps. In contrast, a second by second data feed allows capture of information on a second by second basis. The data collected is typically position or location data but due to the second by second data, this also allows the calculation of speed and direction based on the data.

[0023] The vehicle mounted device of the present invention also includes a wireless communications module to transfer information relating to the location data. The wireless communication module preferably transfers the information to the central server processing system of the present invention. The wireless communication module may be integrated with the location receiver or be separate thereto. Where separated, typically, the wireless communication module and the location receiver are provided in the same housing, for example a car topper or a portable unit. This typically allows the wireless communication module and location receiver to draw power from the same source although this is not strictly necessary.

[0024] The wireless communication module can operate based on any wireless system, for example, cell phone networks, radio networks, data networks and the like. Most commonly, the location is determined using GPS, and the wireless communications module is based on SMS, GPRS, a satellite or terrestrial radio from the vehicle to a radio receiver. GSM is the most common services applied, because of the low data rate needed for AVL, and the low cost and near-ubiquitous nature of these networks. The low bandwidth requirements also allow for satellite technology to receive telemetry data at a moderately higher cost, but across a global coverage area and into very remote locations not covered well by terrestrial radio or public carriers.

[0025] The wireless communications module will typically have a hard wired connection to the power source and any interconnections with the location receiver but one or more wireless communications pathways from the wireless communications module.

[0026] The vehicle mounted device of the present invention also includes at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted device to a power supply system of the vehicle. This preferably allows the vehicle to provide the operating power to the vehicle mounted device and the components thereof. Typically, a hard wired connection is provided between the power supply system of the vehicle and the vehicle mounted device. Normally, a cable or similar with an appropriate adapter, attaches to or accesses the vehicle power system. One or more battery devices or systems may be provided in the vehicle mounted device in order to prevent complete power down of the vehicle mounted device and/or components.

[0027] Preferably, the electrical connection assembly of the present invention allows the vehicle mounted device and the components therein to identify when the vehicle ignition system is operated. Information in relation to when the vehicle ignition is operated and changes in the state of the vehicle ignition is preferably part of the information which is transferred to the central server processing system allowing tracking of vehicle operation or status as well as vehicle location. This can be particularly important in the reporting of the delivery status of the vehicle.

[0028] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a hard wired connection is provided to a vehicle cigarette lighter or other power supply outlet using an adapter. Power supply outlets are typically provided as standard on many modern vehicles either as well as or in lieu of a cigarette lighter.

[0029] Preferably, particularly in the temporary delivery vehicle embodiment, all of the components are typically mounted in a housing with one electrical connection to the housing in order to power the components therein.

[0030] The system of the present invention also includes at least one identification tool associated with the vehicle mounted device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device within the system. As mentioned above, the identification tool may be attached to the vehicle mounted device, or alternatively, can be provided separately to the vehicle mounted device, but associated with the vehicle mounted device.

[0031] Any type of identification tool can be used and the configuration will typically depend upon the type of vehicle mounted device. The identification tool can be or include a barcode device, a radio frequency identification chip or tag or other type of device which has or is associated with, a unique identification code or similar to uniquely identify the tool and thereby the vehicle mounted device, within the system. The identification tool will preferably allow information collected in relation to one vehicle mounted device to be identified as being associated with or collected from that particular vehicle mounted device. When used in association with time and attendance software, this allows employee information to be used together with the information collected in relation to one vehicle mounted device for the production of useful information or statistics.

[0032] The identification tool is used to identify the vehicle mounted device and through the vehicle mounted device, the delivery vehicle, and typically the driver of the delivery vehicle particularly where the other components of the system are used properly for association of the vehicle mounted device with a vehicle and a vehicle driver. The identification tool will normally allow temporary identification of the vehicle and/or driver but permanent identification of the particular vehicle mounted device with which it is associated.

[0033] As mentioned above, the identification tool is typically attached to the vehicle mounted device or a part thereof. In circumstances where the vehicle mounted device is permanently attached or mounted to the vehicle, then the identification tool can be attached to the vehicle's keys for example.

[0034] In the most preferred, commercial embodiment, the identification tool is an RFID tag attached to a car topper (or power cord) or a portable vehicle mounted device or to the keys of the vehicle where the vehicle mounted device is a fixed installation in a vehicle. This will typically allow the item to which the RFID tag is attached to be movable which will allow the RFID tag to be more easily scanned by an RFID reader during the driver login or vehicle mounted device assignment process.

[0035] Normally, each driver will assign a particular vehicle mounted device to them prior to taking a delivery, normally at the start of the shift, using the identification tool of the particular vehicle mounted device which will be then associate that particular vehicle mounted device and the information from the vehicle mounted device with the particular driver and/or vehicle for the shift or until the vehicle mounted device is unassigned or assigned to a different driver. This will preferably occur through use of the at least one identification tool reader associated with the home base workstation.

[0036] The system of the present invention also includes a central server processing system to receive the location data from each of vehicle mounted devices and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to the real-time location of each vehicle to the home base workstation. The central server processing system is normally remotely located from the home base workstation and the respective vehicle mounted devices. The central server processing system is typically associated with an automatic vehicle location system which provides information to the central server processing system. Preferably, this system is not an event activated tracking system but an automated vehicle location system based on the provision of second by second location data provided from the at least one location receiver of each vehicle mounted device. The central server processing system therefore preferably includes management functionality in addition to the automatic vehicle location system functionality (which it may simply adopt from an external system) allowing a company to manage a fleet of vehicles each of which is associated with a particular home base.

[0037] The automatic vehicle location system may be operated or administered by a system administrator which is separate to the operator of the delivery vehicle. Normally, the automatic vehicle location algorithm is located on a server or web platform and the location information is used by the automatic vehicle location system and the server or web platform then transmits information relating to the real-time location of each vehicle to the home base workstation of the particular vehicle. Therefore, the automatic vehicle location system which is a part of or is accessed by the central server processing system is typically a "fat client" undertaking information processing and storage by or on a computer network or server and then provides that information to the central server processing system of the present invention.

[0038] The home base workstation preferably receives information from the central server processing system. The home base workstation may provide information to the central server processing system for example, information relating to login or association of vehicle mounted devices with particular vehicles and/or drivers.

[0039] The central server processing system may interact with other components of the system to transfer information to and/or receive information from other components of the system. According to the most preferred embodiment, the central server processing system communicates with the homebase workstations of a number of different home bases and also stores or causes information to be stored in an information log which is accessible by a corporate manager of the respective home bases. In a conventional delivery network, each of the vehicles typically works from home base and each homebase has a particularly defined delivery area. Therefore, information in relation to each vehicle should be available at each homebase as well as to the overall manager of the delivery network.

[0040] As mentioned above, the automatic vehicle location system is normally external to the particular delivery company and the delivery company simply accesses the automatic vehicle location system via the central server processing system. Communication between the delivery company via the central server processing system and the automatic vehicle location system may be via middleware.

[0041] As mentioned above, the central server processing system in association with the automatic vehicle location system is typically responsible for determining the location of the vehicles within the system and for processing information in relation thereto to allow the other components of the system, preferably the homebase workstations, to be "thin clients" or at least "thinner clients" than the central server processing system. The bulk of the processing and storage of information will therefore preferably take place in the central server processing system and/or automatic vehicle location system rather than at the homebase workstations, but the homebase workstations will typically be capable of at least some processing and data storage.

[0042] Information is typically accessed within the system through the central server processing system. Queries are generally submitted to the central server processing system and databases storing the information are typically accessed via the central server processing system as required or as pursuant to a request. Preferably, the particular operation of the automatic vehicle location system does not form a part of the present invention which is more directed towards the use of the information, particularly by the homebase workstations and as a part of delivery company management, within the invention.

[0043] The system of the present invention also includes a home base workstation including at least one electronic display with a map interface updated in real time indicating the real-time location of the vehicles on the map interface using the information transferred from the central server processing system. Preferably, the information is pushed to the home base workstation from the central server processing system rather than pursuant to a request from the home base workstation.

[0044] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, multiple home base workstations are provided in a delivery network and each home base workstation normally has a number of vehicle mounted devices which are particularly associated with that home base workstation. For example, a single company may have a number of stores, and each store may have a number of vehicles which are responsible for delivering the products from each of the stores. Each of the vehicles will normally have a vehicle mounted device assignable to it. Therefore, the home base workstation at each store will typically have the ability to track the location of each of the vehicles which deliver from that store. The company will also typically have management capabilities to track the location of each vehicle from each of the stores as well as to maintain information in relation to each vehicle from each of the stores, but to drill down to each store and preferably, to each vehicle and/or driver in any one or more of the stores. Typically, the system will report the location of each vehicle to its respective home base workstation but will not necessarily report the location to other homebase workstations.

[0045] The information provided typically allows the home base workstation to plot the location of each vehicle of that home base on the electronic display on the map interface, in real time.

[0046] The at least one electronic display may be of any type. Typically, the electronic display will be a device such as a monitor or view screen. Preferably, the electronic display will display the map interface only and substantially at all times in which the system is operating. Normally, the electronic display will display the location of the vehicles on the map interface without allowing any interaction with the system through the electronic display.

[0047] The map interface displayed on the electronic display will preferably be limited to the particular delivery area of the home base from which the vehicle operates or have the particular delivery area of the homebase delineated clearly. One particularly preferred method of delineation is to show the delivery area in full colour and resolution and to display areas outside the delivery area in a darkened or obscured display, which is still visible on the map interface, but which is clearly outside the delivery area. The particular delivery area may have a border surrounding it in order to further demarcate the delivery area. It is particularly preferred according to the present invention that the delivery area be defined as a geo-fence in order to allow a store manager or other operator within a particular home base to identify if a delivery vehicle strays outside the delivery area for the particular store.

[0048] The map interface is typically produced by or at the local workstation based on information received from the central server processing system and particularly from the automatic vehicle location system.

[0049] The map interface is typically generated using an existing map provider. The most popular map provider will typically be Google Maps. The system of the present invention will typically generate the map interface on the display using information obtained from an existing map provider such as Google Maps. Information obtained from an existing map provider will typically include other information which will also typically be useful to the management of deliveries. This additional information normally includes traffic related information such as traffic density, and speed zones.

[0050] Traffic related information functionality normally works by analysing the GPS- determined locations transmitted to a map provider from a large number of cell phone users. By calculating the speed of users along a stretch of road, the map provider is able to generate a live traffic map. The map provider then processes the incoming raw data about cell phone device locations, and then excludes anomalies such as a postal vehicle which makes frequent stops. When a threshold of users in a particular area is noted, the overlay along roads and highways on the map interface typically changes colour. The map interface of the present invention will typically operate to show this type of traffic data in real time in addition to the location of delivery vehicles.

[0051] The map interface will also preferably have an automatic zoom function. There will of course be periods where one vehicle having a vehicle mounted device is on a delivery and times where more than one vehicle having vehicle mounted devices are on delivery. The map interface will typically automatically zoom in and/or out to show the delivery area in relation to vehicles on delivery. If only a single vehicle is on delivery, then the map interface will typically zoom in to that particular area and then will expand as more vehicles leave on deliveries and then expand/contract/change shape and focus as required as delivery vehicles return and/or leave. [0052] Preferably, the system of the present invention operates to only show active deliveries in progress on the map interface. Information is typically provided in real time on the map interface updated in real time or near real time. The map interface may be static or fixed and changes displayed in one or more overlays. Normally, an icon is provided for each delivery vehicle. A trip timer and/or leg timer may be provided in order to allow management to view the elapsed time on delivery for each vehicle. Normally, changes in the delivery legs will normally be determined via changes in ignition status of vehicle, collected from the vehicle via the vehicle mounted device as explained above.

[0053] There will typically be a number of different legs about which records are logged by the system and which may be illustrated on the map interface or on a related interface in order to allow management of the home base to determine the efficiency of the deliveries. In particular, there will typically be an "outward leg" during which the delivery vehicle has left the store and is on its way to the delivery point. This will typically be indicated on the map interface in a particular way, normally using a particular colour. The colour green is a particularly preferred colour for the outward leg. Preferably, the system of the present invention determines that the delivery is on the outbound leg by determination when the driver changes the ignition status of the vehicle to "on" and then the outbound leg ends when the driver turns the vehicle off.

[0054] A second, "at delivery leg" occurs when the delivery driver is at the delivery point. This will typically be indicated on the map interface in a particular way, normally using a particular colour, different to the outward leg colour. The colour dark blue is a particularly preferred colour for indicating that the delivery driver is at the delivery point. Preferably, the system of the present invention determines that the delivery is at the delivery point by determination when the driver changes the ignition status of the vehicle after the outbound leg to "off, and then the "at delivery" leg typically ends when the driver restarts the vehicle (ignition on).

[0055] A third, "homebound" leg occurs when the delivery driver is returning to the home base. This will typically be indicated on the map interface in a particular way, normally using a particular colour different to both the colour used for each of the outward leg and at delivery leg. The colour orange is a particularly preferred colour for indicating that the delivery driver is on the homebound leg. Preferably, the system of the present invention determines that the delivery driver is on the homebound leg and returning to the home base by determination when the driver restarts the vehicle, changing the ignition to on (ending the "at delivery" leg) and the homebound leg ends when the driver turns the ignition off at the home base. [0056] Additional legs may be provided such as for example where a delivery driver takes more than one delivery on a single run. If this occurs, then one or more intermediate delivery legs will typically exist between the "at delivery" leg and the homebound leg. The system of the present invention will typically have interaction with an order dispatch system which will typically be able to adjust when a driver has assigned more than one delivery to themselves on a single delivery run.

[0057] Still further, further legs may be provided to indicate when the driver is moving between the home base to their delivery vehicle ("move to car" leg) which will typically be determined between when the delivery driver signs the order out of the order dispatch system to the time that the vehicle ignition is switched on. A further leg (return to store) may be defined when the driver is moving between the delivery vehicle and the homebase store upon return which is normally determined between when the delivery driver turns the vehicle ignition "off at the home base store and when the delivery driver signs back into the order dispatch system indicating a return to home base.

[0058] Preferably, the appearance of the preferred icon indicating the delivery vehicle will normally adjust depending upon the particular leg which the delivery driver is currently on. Preferably, the preferred icon indicating the delivery vehicle may appear on the map interface when the driver signs an order out but preferably, only appears once the driver has actually turned the ignition in the vehicle "on".

[0059] The status of the delivery vehicle will preferably be indicated in different ways on the map interface in order to allow a home base manager to easily recognise the legs and distinguish between the legs of each of the deliveries currently in progress. This will typically allow the home base manager to manage the delivery sequence and/or preparation time for products, more easily. As mentioned above, the status of the delivery vehicle and the particular leg of the vehicle, is normally indicated on the map interface using colours but any other identification can be used.

[0060] It is further preferred that the speed of the vehicle is indicated on or in relation to the preferred icon indicating the delivery vehicle on the map interface. The preferred icon may also indicate the particular location and/or driver name.

[0061] The map interface may not indicate the end point or ultimate destination of the delivery until the end point or ultimate destination is reached. At that time, the status of the delivery will typically change and the representation of the icon will typically change accordingly. The map interface will typically show the path taken by the delivery vehicle, normally both outward and on the return leg until the driver signs back in at the home base store with the different legs indicated differently and then, once sign in has been achieved, the map interface will typically refresh and remove the path taken. An ETA at the home base may be calculated and displayed on the map interface based on the length of the outward leg and/or prevailing traffic conditions obtained from the map provider.

[0062] Normally, if a vehicle with a fitted vehicle mounted device leaves the store without a delivery assigned to it, then the icon on the map interface will typically identify this. Normally, the icon will be coloured red for example, indicating that the vehicle has left the store without assigning a delivery thereto.

[0063] Further, if an unassigned vehicle mounted device leaves the store, in other words a vehicle mounted device that has not yet been associated with a vehicle or a driver using the assignment system, the icon on the map interface will typically identify this. Again, the icon can be coloured red for example. This allows the home base manager to easily identify that vehicles have left the store either without a delivery or without properly assigning a vehicle mounted device to the vehicle.

[0064] Further functionality may be added to the map interface. For example, the map interface may be updated with real-time alerts as to the activity or behaviour of vehicles which are on delivery. For example, a real-time alert may be issued if a vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Preferably, there can be a tiered real-time alert for example, a real-time alert may issue if a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit on a road by 10 km for a period of 10 seconds or alternatively, a real-time alert may issue if a driver exceeds the speed limit by 15 km at any time regardless of the length of exceeding the speed limit. Typically, the posted speed limit on roads is also obtained from the existing map provider.

[0065] Still further, the system is preferably adapted to determine when a driver operating the vehicle dangerously or harshly. Harsh driving may be defined as excessive acceleration or braking which due to the provision of second by second data, can be easily determined and can be notified to the system and particularly to the home base manager in order to take remedial action.

[0066] The home base workstation and more particularly, a software application operating on the home base workstation, typically interacts with an order dispatch software application and/or a delivery management application. These applications may operate on a network which is different to but accessible by the home base workstation or on a single network accessible by all applications.

[0067] Typically, a driver will assign deliveries to themselves when the delivery is ready for delivery. The driver will typically sign out of delivery associating that delivery with that driver. This situation is a conventional situation in order to allow a driver to track the deliveries that they deliver. According to the system of the present invention, when a delivery is signed out in an order management system, information preferably begins to be shared with the automatic vehicle location system operating on the central server processing system in order to log information relating to the delivery. Preferably, the central server processing system will normally assign the particular order or delivery to a particular vehicle and/or driver and information is thereafter typically collected via the vehicle mounted device in relation to that particular order or delivery.

[0068] The home base workstation will preferably have a processor associated therewith in order to generate and display the map interface but also to receive input from at least one input device in order to control the appearance of the map interface as well as interact with software applications operating on the home base workstation or in association with the home base workstation.

[0069] The home base workstation will also typically include at least one input device for input of data into the home base workstation. As mentioned above, the home base workstation will normally include at least one processor. Any number and any type of input device can be provided to allow input or interaction with the home base workstation.

[0070] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a touchscreen control panel associated with the processor as a part of the home base workstation will be provided. This is normally in addition to the identification tool reader. Further, there may be other input devices such as a keyboard and/or pointer device such as a mouse, associated with the processor as a part of the home base workstation. The provision of the touchscreen control panel and the keyboard and/or mouse will preferably allow operators at the home base workstation to interact with the system through the touchscreen control panel primarily and the keyboard and/or pointer device as required, given that the electronic display with the map interface is for display only.

[0071] Preferably, the touchscreen control panel may be used to control the home base workstation computer processor. As mentioned above, the home base workstation will normally have more limited functionality than the central server processing system, but there will preferably be functionality accessible at the home base workstation for management purposes.

[0072] In particular, the home base workstation computer processor will typically generate and display one or more touch actuable "buttons" on the touchscreen control panel. For example, a button is typically provided for each available delivery driver to identify the available delivery drivers to each other and to store management and to allow each available delivery driver to interact with the system usually through their own button. These buttons will typically appear on the touchscreen control panel as the delivery drivers clock into a time and attendance software application operating in association with the home base workstation computer processor.

[0073] The particular delivery driver button will normally also indicate the status of the delivery driver. For example, drivers with a vehicle mounted device or the assigned to them will typically be visually distinguished from those with no assignment but which are logged into the time and attendance software application. This will typically allow management to easily identify which drivers have already assigned a vehicle mounted device to themselves and those that have not. Normally, in order to associate or assign a vehicle mounted device to a driver, the driver will typically use the identification tool to identify the vehicle mounted device to the system using the identification tool reader. The touchscreen control panel interface will then typically be used to associate the vehicle and/or driver with the vehicle mounted device and this will appear on the touchscreen control interface. The information obtained during this step will also typically be provided to the central server processing system for use by the automatic vehicle location system. The driver typically associate a particular vehicle mounted device with themselves in the system by touching the required "buttons" on the touchscreen control panel.

[0074] There will also typically be an address look up function "button" and an

administration "button".

[0075] An administrator, normally a store manager can typically use the Administration portion of the application operating on the touchscreen control panel to remove vehicle mounted devices and their corresponding identification tools from availability for selection, as required. For example, it will typically be advisable to remove a vehicle which is currently unavailable for delivery, such as one has broken down or is being serviced, from those available for selection. Typically, the administrator will normally do this by marking that particular vehicle mounted device as not being capable of selection, until it is re-added to the system.

[0076] The administration portion of the application operating on the touchscreen control panel can also be used to manually adjust the zoom level of the map interface on the display.

Other parameters may be adjustable using a "settings" functionality accessible through the administration portion of the application.

[0077] An address look up function may be provided to identify the location of a particular delivery address. This will typically allow manual entry of a particular address or alternatively and more preferred is that the order dispatch system may provide a list of available orders or orders pending delivery and the addresses of each of those deliveries can be selected by a driver in order to indicate the delivery address and/or an optimum delivery route on a display which may or may not be the touchscreen control panel.

[0078] One or more waypoints may be provided. It may be possible to look at more than one address, and have the system plot that optimum delivery route for more than one address on a single delivery run.

[0079] The touchscreen control panel will typically also be capable of displaying a map interface thereon showing driver locations relative to the map interface as well as the delivery status. The map interface will typically be similar to that displayed on the electronic display of the home base workstation, but separately from the electronic display at the home base workstation such that the electronic display on the home base workstation always displays a map interface showing the location of the deliveries.

[0080] The touchscreen control panel may also indicate the connection status to the central server processing system and/or the automatic vehicle location system.

[0081] At any time, a delivery driver can use the at least one identification tool to associate a vehicle mounted device with a vehicle and/or delivery driver. There will typically be an instruction overlaid on the touchscreen control panel indicating that the "Scan ID" functionality is available at any time.

[0082] The home base workstation of the present invention also preferably includes at least one identification tool reader to read the identification tool of each vehicle mounted device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device as well as information and data pertaining thereto within the system. In essence, the system of the present invention will maintain information based on the identity of the vehicle mounted device and the association of each vehicle mounted device to an individual driver and/or vehicle.

[0083] As mentioned above, the drivers of vehicles will typically use the identification tool reader to associate a particular vehicle mounted device to them for a particular period. Typically, the identification is as simple as possible and as mentioned above, an RFID system is particularly preferred. The identification will typically also be provided to the automatic vehicle location system operating on or in association with the central server processing system.

Normally, the RFID tags and their administration will be controlled at the home base workstation by the administrator of the home base. Normally, each home base administrator can add identification tools which in the preferred form are RFID tags, to their system in order for use. The home base administrator can also manage the identification tools which have been added to their particular system such as to deactivate them for a particular time and reactivate them.

[0084] Preferably, the drivers will use the identification tool reader to associate a vehicle mounted device with themselves. Normally, when a driver does so, a photograph the driver will typically be stored against the association for audit purposes. This photograph is preferably captured by a camera associated with the home base workstation with which the identification tool reader is associated. This photograph may be produced on the touchscreen control panel to allow the driver of a further check that the correct association is being made.

[0085] Each of the drivers within the system may have a unique profile which will typically be stored in a database associated with the system. The home base administrator, manager or store manager will normally have the ability to approve profiles. In a preferred form, a driver will typically not be able to assign anything whether a delivery or a vehicle mounted device to themselves unless their particular profile has been approved. This will be particularly important when information in relation to the driver is provided to customers expecting a delivery in order to properly identify the delivery driver and/or company that they represent.

[0086] As mentioned above, the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles will preferably integrate with a time and attendance system and/or a delivery management system. It is also preferred that the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles will integrate with an online ordering system provided by a company providing the products to be delivered. In particular, a portion of the information from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles may be provided to an online ordering system in order to allow a customer to receive real-time updates about the location of their order during the delivery process.

[0087] According to a preferred form, an interface is typically produced based on information from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles to show the location of the delivery relative to the customer or delivery point once the delivery has moved within a particular separation distance from the customer or delivery point. This will allow a user to identify how far away the delivery actually is in order to prepare for the delivery. The interface may provide additional information, such as the identity of the driver delivering the delivery. According to the most preferred form, when on multiple delivery runs, the information provided will typically be for the particular customer's delivery only, and not the entire run.

[0088] A middleware software application may be provided that allows external access to the central server processing system on a tablet or smartphone for example. Preferably, this middleware application will allow a store manager or franchisee for example to access the management portion of the system which is also accessed from the home base workstation.

[0089] In a particularly preferred form, a software application is provided with embedded functionality allowing the production of a location interface showing the delivery. Normally, the embedded functionality will be a part of a whole of concept online order and delivery tracking system. This functionality will typically operate as an extension of the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles of the present invention and information gathered from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles will typically be provided to the whole of concept online order and delivery tracking system. This will typically be a web-based system with one or more downloadable software applications which can be downloaded to a customer personal computing device such as a smart phone or tablet for example.

[0090] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0091] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0092] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0093] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to the present invention.

[0094] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle mounted device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the vehicle mounted device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 4 is a pictorial illustration of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 4A is an illustration of an electronic display with a map interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 5 is a graphical illustration of a touchscreen input device with a driver identification interface forming part of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Figure 6 is a graphical illustration of a touchscreen input device with a vehicle mounted device identification interface forming part of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00100] Figure 7 is a graphical illustration of a touchscreen input device with an

administration interface forming part of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00101] Figure 8 is a graphical illustration of a touchscreen input device with a vehicle mounted device service interface forming part of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00102] Figure 9 is a graphical illustration of a touchscreen input device with an address look up interface forming part of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00103] Figure 10 is a graphical illustration of a touchscreen input device with a driver location interface forming part of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[00104] Figure 11 is a photographic representation of a delivery driver assigning an order to them in a home base order management system according to a preferred embodiment.

[0100] Figure 12 is a photographic representation of a delivery driver assigning a particular vehicle mounted device using the home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Figure 13 is a photographic representation of the delivery driver using the address look up function of a home base workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of a main management dashboard produced and displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Figure 15 is a schematic illustration of the dashboard illustrated in Figure 14 showing the calculation parameters.

[0104] Figure 16 is a schematic illustration of a current store dashboard produced and displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Figure 17 is a schematic illustration of a feedback interface showing order timings by stage according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Figure 18 is a schematic illustration of the stages of a delivery according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Figure 19 is a schematic illustration of the stages of a delivery of more than one item in the same delivery run according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Figure 20 is a schematic illustration showing how timing of the various stages of the deliveries in Figures 18 and 19 may be represented on an interface produced and displayed according to a preferred embodiment.

[0109] Figure 21 is a schematic illustration of an assigned deliveries report interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] Figure 22 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle utilisation report interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Figure 23 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle usage optimisation interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Figure 24 is a schematic illustration of a speeding report interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0113] Figure 25 is a schematic illustration of an overspeed ratio interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Figure 26 is a schematic illustration of a driver league ranking interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] Figure 27 is a schematic illustration of a manager goals interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Figure 28 is a schematic illustration of a harsh driving report interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] Figure 29 is a schematic illustration of a further harsh driving report interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] Figure 30 is a schematic illustration of a harsh driving summary interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Figure 31 is a schematic illustration of a driver tracking interface produced and displayed on a customer personal computing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] Figure 32A is a schematic view of a smartphone with a "loading GPS" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Figure 32B is a schematic view of a tablet or desktop display interface with a "loading GPS" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Figure 33A is a schematic view of a smartphone with a "track driver" interface according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] Figure 33B is a schematic view of a smartphone with a "track driver" interface according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0124] Figure 33C is a schematic view of a tablet or desktop display interface with a "track driver" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] Figure 34A is a schematic view of a smartphone with a "completion" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0126] Figure 34B is a schematic view of a tablet or desktop display interface with a

"completion" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] Figure 35 A is a schematic view of a smartphone with a "error" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] Figure 35B is a schematic view of a tablet or desktop display interface with a "error" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] Figure 36A is a schematic view of a smartphone with a "guarantee fail" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0130] Figure 36B is a schematic view of a tablet or desktop display interface with a "guarantee fail" interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0131] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for real-time monitoring of vehicles, including a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, a central server processing system and a home base work station located at the home base of each of the vehicles in order to identify in real time, the location of each vehicle with the system on an electronically displayed map interface is provided.

[0132] The system for real-time monitoring of vehicles of the preferred embodiment is illustrated schematically in Figure 1. The system includes a vehicle mounted device 20 associated with each vehicle 10, a central server 11 and a home base work station 12 located at the home base of each of the vehicles and these components communicate via a wireless communication network 13 which may include one or more towers, receivers and transmitters.

[0133] The central server 11 receives location data from the vehicle mounted device of each vehicle 10 and based on the location data, transfers information relating to the real time location of each vehicle 10 to the home base workstation 12.

[0134] The home base work station 12 (also illustrated in Figure 4) includes a computer station 18, an electronic display 14 with a map interface updated in real time indicating the realtime location of the vehicles 10 on the map interface using the information transferred from the central server 11, a touchscreen control panel 15 and keyboard 16 for input of data into the home base workstation 12 and an identification tool reader in the form of an RFID tag reader 17 to read the unique RFID tag 18 associated with each vehicle mounted device to identify the vehicle mounted device as well as information and data pertaining thereto, within the system.

[0135] The system of the present invention is directed toward real-time monitoring of delivery drivers, vehicles and the deliveries being delivered. The system of the present invention is based on interaction with an automated vehicle location system which may or may not be a proprietary system owned by third party.

[0136] The preferred system will locate the vehicles through the vehicle mounted device 20 in real time on near real-time. It is particularly preferred that the vehicle mounted device 20 allows the location of the vehicle 10 on a second by second basis. Due to the second by second data, the automated vehicle location system is typically able to give not only the location of the vehicle 10 and but also the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 and the speed of the vehicle 10 due to the availability of second by second information.

[0137] The system of the preferred embodiment includes multiple components and systems that operate together to track the location of the vehicle 10 through the vehicle mounted device 20 and also to keep record of data from each vehicle mounted device 20 in order to keep the home base workstation 12 informed and/or to log data in relation to each vehicle 10. This allows not only tracking of the vehicles 10, but also management of the delivery vehicles 10, the deliveries themselves including dispatch management, safety record management, maintenance records and management-end forensic examination in case of any issues or problems.

[0138] The system includes a vehicle mounted device 20 associated with each vehicle. The vehicle mounted device may be mounted temporarily to the vehicle or more permanently.

Typically, permanent mounting or attachment will be used where the vehicle is a company delivery vehicle rather than an independent contractor vehicle which is used only temporarily during a driver shift as a delivery vehicle and is used as a personal vehicle other times.

[0139] As mentioned above, the vehicle mounted device 20 may be mounted on or in the vehicle. For example, the vehicle mounted device 20 may be what is termed in the art as a "car topper" as illustrated in Figure 2 schematically and in Figure 4, for use with vehicle which is only temporarily operated as a delivery vehicle and from which the car topper can be removed as required at the end of the shift. The car topper can have any configuration but typically, will be illuminated in order to provide advertising material thereon or at least identification of the company or business undertaking the delivery particularly at night.

[0140] Where a company delivery vehicle is provided, the vehicle mounted device can be permanently fixed in or to the vehicle and may have the configuration illustrated in Figure 3. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a company vehicle, the company vehicle will normally be a car, a scooter or electric bicycle.

[0141] Further, a portable vehicle mounted device may be provided without signage and which can simply be maintained within the vehicle but removable as required.

[0142] The vehicle mounted device 20 includes a location receiver 19 to obtain location data indicative of a location of the vehicle 10 in real time. As mentioned above, second by second data is normally provided and this will allow the location of the vehicle 10 to be determined substantially in real time or near real-time, limited only by the processing ability and

connectivity of the system.

[0143] The location receiver 19 typically interacts with a location network to determine the location of the location receiver 19 and thereby, determine the location of the vehicle 10. In a particularly preferred form, the location receiver will be a GPS receiver which interacts with a network of GPS satellites 21.

[0144] Preferably, the location is determined as close possible to real time. This is particularly powerful when based on second by second or breadcrumb data, as it allows the tracking of location precisely and preferably dynamically over time rather than prior art systems which only collect location data at particular time steps which can be separated by five or more seconds. Those systems give no feedback as to what has occurred between the time steps. In contrast, a second by second data feed allows capture of information on a second by second basis. The data collected is typically position or location data but due to the second by second data, this also allows the calculation of speed and direction based on the data.

[0145] The vehicle mounted device 20 of the preferred embodiments also includes a wireless communications module 22 to transfer information relating to the location data. The wireless communication module 22 preferably transfers the information to the central server 11 via a wireless communication network 13. The wireless communication module 22 may be integrated with the location receiver 19 or be separate thereto. Where separated, typically, the wireless communication module 22 and the location receiver 19 are provided in the same housing, for example a car topper or a portable unit. This allows the wireless communication module and location receiver to draw power from the same source normally the vehicle through an alternator or generator.

[0146] The wireless communication module 22 can operate based on any wireless system, but a terrestrial radio signal from the vehicle to a radio receiver is preferred. [0147] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the wireless communications module 22 will normally have a hard wired connection to the power source and any interconnections with the location receiver but one or more wireless communications pathways from the wireless communications module 22.

[0148] The vehicle mounted device 20 of the preferred embodiments also includes an electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted device 20 to a power supply system of the vehicle. This allows the vehicle 10 to provide the operating power to the vehicle mounted device 20 and the components thereof. Normally, a cable 23 with an appropriate adapter 24 attaches to or accesses the vehicle power system. In the permanently fitted embodiment, the cable can be attached directly to a vehicle power supply system. One or more battery devices or systems may be provided in the vehicle mounted device in order to prevent complete power down of the vehicle mounted device and/or components.

[0149] According to the portable preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, a connection cable 23 is provided to a vehicle cigarette lighter or other power supply outlet using an adapter 24. Power supply outlets are typically provided as standard on many modern vehicles either as well as or in lieu of a cigarette lighter.

[0150] Preferably, particularly in the temporary delivery vehicle embodiment, all of the components are typically mounted in a housing, such as that illustrated in Figure 4 with one electrical connection to the housing in order to power the components therein.

[0151] Preferably, the electrical connection assembly of the present invention allows the vehicle mounted device 20 and the components therein to identify when the vehicle ignition system is operated. Information in relation to when the vehicle ignition is operated and changes in the state of the vehicle ignition is preferably part of the information which is transferred to the central server 11 allowing tracking of vehicle operational status as well as vehicle location. This can be particularly important in the reporting of the delivery status of the vehicle as will be explained further below.

[0152] The preferred embodiment also includes an identification tool associated with the vehicle mounted device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device 20 within the system. As mentioned above, the identification tool may be attached to the vehicle mounted device or power supply cable as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, or alternatively, can be provided separately to the vehicle mounted device 20, but associated with the vehicle mounted device 20.

[0153] The preferred identification tool is a radio frequency identification chip or tag ("RFID tag" 25) to uniquely identify the tool and thereby the vehicle mounted device 20, within the system. The identification tool identifies the vehicle mounted device to allow information collected in relation to that vehicle mounted device to be identified as being associated with or collected from that particular vehicle mounted device. When used in association with time and attendance software, this allows employee information to be used together with the information collected in relation to each vehicle mounted device 20 for the production of useful information or statistics.

[0154] The identification tool is used to identify the vehicle mounted device and through the vehicle mounted device, the delivery vehicle, and typically the driver of the delivery vehicle particularly where the other components of the system are used properly for association of the vehicle mounted device with a vehicle and a vehicle driver. The identification tool will normally allow temporary identification of the vehicle and/or driver but permanent identification of the particular vehicle mounted device with which it is associated.

[0155] As mentioned above, in one embodiment namely the temporary delivery vehicle embodiment, the RFID tag 25 is attached to the vehicle mounted device 20 or power supply cable 23. In circumstances where the vehicle mounted device 20 is permanently attached or mounted to the vehicle 10, then the identification tool can be attached to the vehicle's keys 26 for example, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0156] These particular embodiments allow the car topper or keys 26 to which the RFID tag 25 is attached to be movable which will allow the RFID tag 25 to be more easily scanned by an RFID reader 17 during the vehicle mounted device assignment process.

[0157] Normally, each driver assigns a particular vehicle mounted device 20 to themselves prior to taking a delivery, normally at the start of the shift, using the RFID tag 25 of the particular vehicle mounted device 20 and the RFID reader 17 associated with the home base workstation 12 which will be then associate that particular vehicle mounted device 20 and the information from the vehicle mounted device 20, with the particular driver and/or vehicle for the shift or until the vehicle mounted device 20 is unassigned or assigned to a different driver.

[0158] The system of the preferred embodiment also includes a central server processing system including a central server 11 to receive the location data from each of vehicle mounted devices 20 and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to the real-time location of each vehicle 10 to the home base workstation 12. The central server 11 is normally remotely located from the home base workstation 12 and the respective vehicle mounted devices 20. The central server 11 is typically associated with an automatic vehicle location system which provides information to the central server 11. The central server processing system therefore preferably includes management functionality in addition to the automatic vehicle location system functionality (which it may simply adopt or access from an external system) allowing a company to manage a fleet of vehicles, each of which is associated with a particular home base.

[0159] The automatic vehicle location system may be operated or administered by a system administrator which is separate to the operator of the delivery vehicle or delivery company. Normally, the automatic vehicle location algorithm is located on a server or web platform and the location information from the vehicle mounted devices 20 is used by the automatic vehicle location system and the server or web platform then transmits information relating to the realtime location of each vehicle 10 to the home base workstation 12 of the particular vehicle.

Therefore, the automatic vehicle location system which is a part of or is accessed by the central server processing system is typically a "fat client" undertaking information processing and storage by or on a computer network or server and then provides that information to the central server processing system of the present invention.

[0160] The home base workstation 12 receives information from the central server 11 and may provide information to the central server 11 for example, information relating to login or association of vehicle mounted devices 20 with particular vehicles and/or drivers.

[0161] The central server processing system will also typically interact to transfer information to and/or receive information from other components of the system. According to the most preferred embodiment, the central server processing system communicates with the home base workstations 12 of a number of different home bases and also stores or causes information to be stored in an information log which is accessible by a corporate manager of the respective home bases. In a conventional delivery network, each of the vehicles 10 typically works from home base and each home base has a particularly defined delivery area. Therefore, information in relation to each vehicle should be available at each home base or store as well as to the overall manager of the delivery network.

[0162] As mentioned above, the automatic vehicle location system is normally external to the particular delivery company and the delivery company simply accesses the automatic vehicle location system via the central server processing system. Communication between the delivery company via the central server processing system and the automatic vehicle location system may be via middleware. [0163] As mentioned above, the central server processing system in association with the automatic vehicle location system is typically responsible for determining the location of the vehicles 10 and for processing information in relation thereto to allow the other components of the system, preferably the home base workstations 12, to be "thin clients" or at least "thinner clients" than the central server 11. The bulk of the processing and storage of information will therefore preferably take place in the central server processing system and/or automatic vehicle location system rather than at the home base workstations 12, but the home base workstations 12 will typically be capable of at least some processing and data storage.

[0164] Information is typically accessed within the system through the central server 11 and the wireless communication network 13. Queries are generally submitted to the central server 11 and one or more databases storing the information are typically accessed via the central server 11 as required or as pursuant to a request. Preferably, the particular operation of the automatic vehicle location system does not form a part of the present invention which is more directed towards the use of the information, particularly by the home base workstations 12 and as a part of delivery company management, within the invention.

[0165] Preferably, the information is pushed to the home base workstation 12 from the central server 11 rather than pursuant to a request from the home base workstation 12.

[0166] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, multiple home base workstations are provided in a delivery network and each home base workstation 12 normally has a number of vehicle mounted devices 20 which are particularly associated with that home base workstation 12. For example, a single company may have a number of stores, and each store may have a number of vehicles which are responsible for delivering the products from each of the stores. Each of the vehicles will normally have a vehicle mounted device assignable to it. Therefore, the home base workstation at each store will typically have the ability to track the location of each of the vehicles which deliver from that store. The company will also typically have management capabilities to track the location of each vehicle from each of the stores as well as to maintain information in relation to each vehicle from each of the stores, but to drill down to each store and preferably, to each vehicle and/or driver in any one or more of the stores. Typically, the system will report the location of each vehicle to its respective home base workstation but will not necessarily report the location to other home base workstations.

[0167] The information provided typically allows the home base workstation 12 to display the location of each vehicle of that home base on the map interface of the electronic display 14, in real time. [0168] The electronic display 14 may be of any type but will normally be a device such as a monitor or view screen. Preferably, the electronic display 14 will display the map interface only substantially at all times in which the system is operating. Normally, the electronic display 14 will display the location of the vehicles 10 on the map interface such as that illustrated in Figure

4 A without allowing any interaction with the system through the electronic display 14.

[0169] The map interface displayed on the electronic display will normally be limited to the particular delivery area of the home base from which the vehicle operates or have the particular delivery area of the homebase delineated clearly. One particularly preferred method of delineation is to show the delivery area in full colour and resolution and to display areas outside the delivery area in a darkened or obscured display, which is still visible on the map interface, but which is clearly outside the delivery area. The particular delivery area may have a border surrounding it in order to further demarcate the delivery area. It is particularly preferred according to the present invention that the delivery area be defined as a geo-fence in order to allow a store manager or other operator within a particular home base to identify if a delivery vehicle strays outside the delivery area for the particular store.

[0170] The map interface is typically generated using information from an existing map provider and the vehicle positions are normally applied to an overlay produced by or at the local workstation based on information received from the central server 11 and particularly from the automatic vehicle location system.

[0171] The system of the preferred embodiment generates the map interface on the display 14 using information obtained from an existing map provider such as Google Maps. Information obtained from an existing map provider, such as Google Maps, also includes other information which will is useful to the management of deliveries such as traffic density, and speed zones.

[0172] Traffic related information functionality normally works by analysing the GPS- determined locations transmitted to a map provider from a large number of cell phone users. By calculating the speed of users along a stretch of road, the map provider is able to generate a live traffic map. The map provider then processes the incoming raw data about cell phone device locations, and then excludes anomalies such as a postal vehicle which makes frequent stops. When a threshold of users in a particular area is noted, the overlay along roads and highways on the map interface typically changes colour. The map interface of the present invention will typically operate to show this type of traffic data in real time in addition to the location of delivery vehicles 10. [0173] The map interface of the preferred embodiment also has an automatic zoom function.

There will of course be periods where one vehicle having a vehicle mounted device is on a delivery and times where more than one vehicle having vehicle mounted devices are on delivery.

The map interface will typically automatically zoom in and/or out to show the delivery area in relation to vehicles on delivery. If only a single vehicle is on delivery, then the map interface will typically zoom in to that particular area and then will expand as more vehicles leave on deliveries and then expand/contract/change shape and focus as required as delivery vehicles return and/or leave the home base.

[0174] The system of the preferred embodiment operates to only show active deliveries in progress on the map interface. Information is typically provided in real time on the map interface updated in real time. The map interface will normally be static or fixed with changes in information relating to vehicle position and traffic conditions displayed in one or more overlays. Normally, a vehicle icon 27 is provided for each delivery vehicle as illustrated in Figure 4A as well as a home base icon 28 identifying the location of the home base. The vehicle track or route will also be indicated, normally by a coloured track 29 on the overlay.

[0175] A trip timer and/or leg timer may be provided on the map interface or overlay in order to allow management to view the elapsed time on delivery for each vehicle. Normally, changes in the delivery legs will normally be determined via changes in ignition status of vehicle, collected from the vehicle via the vehicle mounted device as explained above.

[0176] According to the preferred embodiment, there are a number of different legs about which records are logged by the system and which may be illustrated on the track 29 on the map interface or on a related interface in order to allow management of the home base to determine the efficiency of the deliveries. Examples of the legs and parameters are illustrated in Figures 17 to 20.

[0177] There will typically be an "outward leg" during which the delivery vehicle 10 has left the store and is on its way to the delivery point. This will typically be indicated on the map interface in a particular way, normally using a particular colour. The colour green is particularly preferred for use on the track or route for the outward leg. Preferably, the system of the present invention determines that the delivery is on the outbound leg by determination when the driver changes the ignition status of the vehicle 10 to "on" and the outbound leg ends when the driver turns the vehicle off at the delivery location.

[0178] A second, "at delivery leg" occurs when the delivery driver is at the delivery point or location. This will typically be indicated on the map interface in a particular way, normally using a particular colour, different in colour to that of the outward leg colour. The colour dark blue is a particularly preferred colour for indicating that the delivery driver is at the delivery point.

Preferably, the system of the present invention determines that the delivery is at the delivery point by determination when the driver changes the ignition status of the vehicle on an outbound leg to "off, and the "at delivery" leg typically ends when the driver restarts the vehicle (ignition on).

[0179] A third, "homebound" leg occurs when the delivery driver is returning to the home base. This will typically be indicated on the map interface in a particular way, normally using a particular colour different to both the colour used for each of the outward leg and at delivery leg. The colour orange is a particularly preferred colour for indicating that the delivery driver is on the homebound leg. Preferably, the system of the present invention determines that the delivery driver is on the homebound leg and returning to the home base by determination when the driver restarts the vehicle, changing the ignition to on (ending the "at delivery" leg) and the homebound leg ends when the driver turns the ignition off at the home base.

[0180] Additional legs may be provided such as for example where a delivery driver takes more than one delivery on a single run as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. If this occurs, then one or more intermediate delivery legs will typically exist between the "at delivery" leg and the homebound leg. The system of the present invention will typically have interaction with an order dispatch system which will typically be able to adjust when a driver has assigned more than one delivery to themselves on a single delivery run.

[0181] Still further, further legs may be provided to indicate when the driver is moving between the home base to their delivery vehicle ("move to car" leg) which will typically be determined between when the delivery driver signs the order out of the order dispatch system to the ignition on. A further leg (return to store) may be defined when the driver is moving between the delivery vehicle and the home base store upon return which is normally determined between when the delivery driver turns ignition "off at the home base store and when the delivery driver signs back into the order dispatch system indicating a return to home base.

[0182] Preferably, the appearance of the vehicle icon 27 indicating the delivery vehicle will normally adjust depending upon the particular leg which the delivery driver is currently on. Preferably, the vehicle icon 27 may appear on the map interface when the driver signs an order out but preferably, only appears once the driver has actually turned the ignition in the vehicle "on". [0183] The status of the delivery vehicle will preferably be indicated in different ways on the map interface in order to allow a home base manager to easily recognise the legs and distinguish between the legs of each of the deliveries currently in progress. This will typically allow the home base manager to manage the delivery sequence and/or preparation time for products, more easily. As mentioned above, the status of the delivery vehicle and the particular leg of the vehicle, is normally indicated on the map interface using colours but any other identification can be used.

[0184] It is further preferred that the speed of the vehicle is indicated on or in relation to the vehicle icon 27 on the map interface. The vehicle icon 27 may also indicate the particular location and/or driver name.

[0185] The map interface will normally not indicate the end point or ultimate destination of the delivery until the end point or ultimate destination is reached and the vehicle ignition turned off. At that time, the status of the delivery will typically change and the representation of the vehicle icon 27 will typically change accordingly. The map interface will typically show the path or track 29 taken by the delivery vehicle, normally both outward and on the return leg until the driver signs back in at the home base store with the different legs indicated differently and then, once sign-in has been completed, the map interface or overlay will typically refresh and remove the path or track 29 taken by the driver who has now returned. An ETA at the home base may be calculated and displayed on the map interface or overlay based on the length of the outward leg and/or prevailing traffic conditions obtained from the map provider. Adverse traffic conditions or delays may be shown as well using a red coloured track portion.

[0186] Normally, if a vehicle with a fitted vehicle mounted device 20 leaves the store without a delivery assigned to it, then the vehicle icon 27 on the map interface will typically identify this. Normally, the vehicle icon 27 will be coloured red for example, indicating that the vehicle has left the store without assigning a delivery thereto.

[0187] Further, if an unassigned vehicle mounted device leaves the store, in other words a vehicle mounted device that has not yet been associated with a vehicle or a driver using the assignment system, the vehicle icon 27 on the map interface will typically identify this. Again, the vehicle icon 27 can be coloured red for example. This allows the home base manager to easily identify that vehicles have left the store either without a delivery or without properly assigning a vehicle mounted device to the vehicle.

[0188] Further functionality may be added to the map interface. For example, the map interface may be updated with real-time alerts as to the activity or behaviour of vehicles which are on delivery. For example, a real-time alert may be issued if a vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Preferably, there can be a tiered real-time alert for example, a real-time alert may issue if a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit on a road by 10 km for a period of 10 seconds or alternatively, a real-time alert may issue if a driver exceeds the speed limit by 15 km at any time regardless of the length of exceeding the speed limit. Typically, the posted speed limit on roads is also obtained from the existing map provider. This information is also stored for analysis.

[0189] Still further, the system is preferably adapted to determine when a driver operating the vehicle dangerously or harshly. Harsh driving may be defined as excessive acceleration or braking which due to the provision of second by second data, can be easily determined according to change in location over time and can be notified to the system and particularly to the home base manager in order to take remedial action. This information is also stored for analysis.

[0190] The home base workstation 12 and more particularly, a software application operating on the home base workstation 12, typically interacts with an order dispatch software application and/or a delivery management application. These applications may operate on a store network which is different to but accessible by the home base workstation 12 or on a single network accessible by all applications.

[0191] In normal use, a driver will normally sign into a time and attendance software application at the store at the start of the shift as illustrated in Figure 10. The driver then obtains an appropriate vehicle mounted device 20 as illustrated in Figure 11 and assigns that vehicle mounted device 20 to them using the RFID tag and reader of the home base workstation. The driver can then assign a delivery to themselves when the delivery is ready for delivery as illustrated in Figure 12. The driver will normally sign out a delivery in an order management software application associating that delivery with that driver. This situation is a conventional situation in order to allow a driver to track the deliveries that they deliver. According to the system of the present invention, when a delivery is signed out in an order management software application, information preferably begins to be shared with the automatic vehicle location system operating on the central server processing system in order to log information relating to the delivery and display information on the map interface of the home base workstation.

Preferably, the central server processing system will normally assign the particular order or delivery to a particular vehicle and/or driver and information is thereafter typically collected via the vehicle mounted device in relation to that particular order or delivery.

[0192] The home base workstation 12 will preferably have a processor 18 associated therewith in order to generate and display the map interface and/or overlay but also to receive input from the touchscreen 15 and/or keyboard 16 in order to control the appearance of the map interface as well as interact with software applications operating on the home base workstation 12 or in association with the home base workstation 12 such as the time and attendance system and/or order management software application.

[0193] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a touchscreen control panel 15 is associated with the processor 18 as a part of the home base workstation 12. The provision of the touchscreen control panel 15 and the keyboard 16 allows operators at the home base workstation 12 to interact with the system through the touchscreen control panel 15 primarily and the keyboard 16 as required, given that the electronic display 14 with the map interface is for display only.

[0194] Preferably, the touchscreen control panel 15 may be used to control the home base workstation computer 18. As mentioned above, the home base workstation 12 will normally have more limited functionality than the central server 11, but there will preferably be functionality accessible at the home base workstation 12 for management purposes.

[0195] In particular, the home base workstation computer 18 will typically generate and display one or more interfaces with touch actuable "buttons" on the touchscreen control panel 15. A variety of example interfaces are illustrated in Figures 5 to 8. For example, a touch actuable button is typically provided for each available delivery driver to identify the available delivery drivers to each other and to store management and to allow each available delivery driver to interact with the system usually through their own button as illustrated in Figure 5. These buttons will typically appear on the touchscreen control panel as the delivery drivers clock into the time and attendance software application operating in association with the home base workstation computer 18.

[0196] The particular delivery driver button 30 will normally also indicate the status of the delivery driver. For example, drivers with a vehicle mounted device or the assigned to them will typically be visually distinguished, normally with a different colour button, from those with no assignment but which are logged into the time and attendance software application. This will typically allow management to easily identify which drivers have already assigned a vehicle mounted device to themselves and those that have not.

[0197] Normally, in order to associate or assign a vehicle mounted device to a driver, the driver will typically use the RFID tag 25 to identify the vehicle mounted device 20 to the system using the RFID reader 17. The touchscreen control panel 15 interface will then typically be used to associate the vehicle and/or driver with the vehicle mounted device 20 and this will appear on the touchscreen control panel 15 interface. The information obtained during this step will also typically be provided to the central server processing system for use by the automatic vehicle location system. The driver typically associate a particular vehicle mounted device with themselves in the system by touching the required "button 30" on the touchscreen control panel

15. An alternative interface illustrated in Figure 6 shows a vehicle mounted device based interface in which the vehicle mounted devices are identified together with the driver to which each is assigned.

[0198] There will also typically be an address look up function "button" 31 and an administration "button" 32.

[0199] An administrator, normally a store manager can typically use the Administration portion of the application operating home base workstation and accessible using the touchscreen control panel 15 to remove vehicle mounted devices 20 and their corresponding identification tools from availability for selection, as required. For example, it will typically be advisable to remove a vehicle which is currently unavailable for delivery, such as one has broken down or is being serviced, from those available for selection. Typically, the administrator will normally do this by marking that particular vehicle mounted device as not being capable of selection, until it is re-added to the system. As example of an interface used to do this is illustrated in Figure 8.

[0200] The administration portion of the application operating on the touchscreen control panel 15 can also be used to manually adjust the zoom level of the map interface on the display as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0201] An address look up function may be provided to identify the location of a particular delivery address. This will typically allow manual entry of a particular address or alternatively and more preferred is that the order dispatch system may provide a list of available orders or orders pending delivery and the addresses of each of those deliveries can be selected by a driver in order to indicate the delivery address and/or an optimum delivery route on a display which may or may not be the touchscreen control panel.

[0202] One or more waypoints may be provided. It may be possible to look at more than one address, and have the system plot that optimum delivery route for more than one address on a single delivery run.

[0203] According to the example interface illustrated in Figure 9, the touchscreen control panel 15 will typically also be capable of displaying a map interface thereon showing driver locations relative to the map interface as well as delivery status or on another display device such as the order management display device as illustrated in Figure 10. The map interface will typically be similar to that displayed on the electronic display 14 of the home base workstation 12, but independent from the electronic display 14 such that the electronic display 14 of the home base workstation 12 always displays a map interface showing the location of the delivery vehicles 10.

[0204] The touchscreen control panel may also indicate the connection status 33 to the central server processing system and/or the automatic vehicle location system.

[0205] As indicated in the interfaces illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, at any time, a delivery driver can use the RFID tag to associate a vehicle mounted device 20 with a vehicle and/or delivery driver. There will typically be an instruction 34 overlaid on the touchscreen control panel 15 indicating that the "Scan ID" functionality is available at any time.

[0206] As mentioned above, the drivers of vehicles will typically use the RFID tag reader 17 to associate a particular vehicle mounted device 20 to them for a particular period. Typically, the identification is as simple as possible and as mentioned above, an RFID system is particularly preferred. The identification will typically also be provided to the automatic vehicle location system operating on or in association with the central server processing system. Normally, the RFID tags 25 and their administration will be controlled at the home base workstation 12 by the administrator of the home base. Normally, each home base administrator can add RFID tags 25, for example for additional VMD's 20 to their system in order for use. The home base administrator can also manage the RFID tags 25 which have been added to their particular system such as to deactivate them for a particular time and reactivate them.

[0207] Preferably, the drivers will use the RFID tags reader 17 to associate a vehicle mounted device 20 with themselves. Normally, when a driver does so, a photograph may be taken of the driver to be stored against the association for audit purposes. This photograph is preferably captured by a camera associated with the home base workstation with which the RFID tag reader 17 is associated. This photograph may be produced on the touchscreen control panel 15 to allow the driver of a further check that the correct association is being made.

[0208] Each of the drivers within the system may have a unique profile which will typically be stored in a database associated with the system. The home base administrator, manager or store manager will normally have the ability to approve profiles. In a preferred form, a driver will typically not be able to assign anything whether a delivery or a vehicle mounted device to themselves unless their particular profile has been approved. This will be particularly important when information in relation to the driver is provided to customers expecting a delivery in order to properly identify the delivery driver and/or company that they represent.

[0209] As mentioned above, the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles will preferably integrate with a time and attendance system and/or a delivery management system. It is also preferred that the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles will integrate with an online ordering system provided by a company providing the products to be delivered. In particular, a portion of the information from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles may be provided to an online ordering system in order to allow a customer to receive real-time updates about the location of their order during the delivery process.

[0210] One of the important outcomes of the system of the present invention is the ability for the information captured to be collected, collated or reduced to one or more reports to assist management (whether store management or overall delivery company management) of the delivery process and to improve efficiency or enhance safety.

[0211] An example of a management dashboard interface is illustrated in Figure 14 and the report interface illustrated in Figure 15 shows the calculation parameters for the statistics illustrated in Figure 14. Use of the dashboard as illustrated in Figure 14, allows a store manager to easily see the number of deliveries that have been assigned, the number of speeding occurrences, the number of harsh driving events per 10 km, the number of deliveries in total, the average delivery time in minutes per order and the orders delivered in under 20 minutes. These are only example parameters and the dashboard will typically be adjustable in order to show the parameters most relevant or desired by a particular manager. As indicated in an upper portion of the dashboard illustrated in Figure 14, the manager also has the ability to define the date range from which the data illustrated in the dashboard is drawn, namely based on the previous day's figures, a week to date basis, a month to date basis, a quarter to date basis, a year to date basis and previous 12 month period basis. The interface also indicates the direction in which the particular statistic is trending.

[0212] An alternative management dashboard interface is illustrated in Figure 16. This will typically be used for more senior management or more detailed analysis as it contains much more detailed information. The interface illustrated in Figure 16 is adjustable for a particular store or region. The store dashboard interface illustrated in Figure 16 also includes comparable information from different days as well is a seven day moving average. This interface also includes an identification of the particular drivers at a given store as well as statistics collected using the system of the present invention applicable to each particular driver.

[0213] Illustrated in Figure 17 is a sample of an interface that shows graphically the order timings by delivery stage. This is typically a summary interface which will allow a manager to see where the majority of time is spent by drivers.

[0214] Figures 18 to 20 show graphically the different delivery legs which may be measured by the system of the present invention. In particular, Figure 18 shows a simple, one delivery run and Figure 19 shows a multiple delivery run. Illustrated in Figure 20 is an example of the information collected relating to the time on each particular leg which allows calculation of driver efficiency. This will typically allow a manager to easily recognise whether a driver spends a lot of time from sign out to turning the ignition in the vehicle "on", or a lot of time at the customer's door or whether they take longer deliveries rather than shorter deliveries for example.

[0215] An example of an assigned deliveries report is illustrated in Figure 21. This report will typically be available to management and shows the number of assigned deliveries over different time periods. It also shows a "driver league" which shows the assigned deliveries statistics relating to individual drivers.

[0216] An example of a vehicle utilisation report is illustrated in Figure 22. This report will typically be available to management and shows the number of vehicles active over different time periods and also a "vehicle league" which shows statistics relating to individual vehicles of a particular store.

[0217] Figure 23 is an example of a vehicle usage summary interface showing various statistics relating to vehicle usage. This type of summary report will normally be used to allow a manager to optimise vehicle usage for the different vehicles available at that store.

[0218] Figure 24 is an example of a speeding report. This report will typically be available to management and shows the occurrences of overspeed over different time periods as well as identifying the drive time versus the percentage of drivetime spent speeding for employees. Again, a "driver league" portion is displayed showing the statistics for individual drivers.

[0219] A more complex overspeed summary report is illustrated in Figure 25. This report's summary interface shows more detailed information about speeding in terms of duration and the particular driver speeding instances. [0220] A summary "driver league" report interface is illustrated in Figure 26 this shows a variety of statistics collected in relation to individual drivers to allow management to take action to correct poor behaviour, reward good behaviour and to manage efficiency.

[0221] Still another summary report interface is illustrated in Figure 27. This allows an operations manager to measure actual performance against targets.

[0222] A harsh driving report summary interface is illustrated in Figure 28. This report interface shows the harsh driving events by employee as well as the drivetime per order to compare harsh driving events. Harsh driving can be an important statistic to monitor for a manager given that it is an indication of the performance of the driver in the public arena and may contribute to public perception of the delivery company. It may also be important for management of a vehicle if the vehicle is being driven harshly. Again, a "driver league" with particular statistics is also illustrated on this interface.

[0223] A more complex harsh driving statistic interface is illustrated in Figure 29 allowing more detailed analysis of harsh driving events.

[0224] The report interface illustrated in Figure 30 shows more complex statistics in relation to individual driver performance. This will typically allow management of individual drivers in each of the areas actually measured.

[0225] Typically, basic information is provided to store managers with more complex information available to area managers and corporate managers at the delivery company.

[0226] The reports are preferably provided on one or more displays (not the electronic display with the map interface) associated with the home base workstation. Normally these reports are analysed during quiet times or out of hours in order to allow a manager appropriate time to analyse the reports to formulate action strategies.

[0227] According to a preferred form, an interface such as that illustrated in Figure 31 is typically produced based on information from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles to show the location of the delivery relative to the customer or delivery point once the delivery has moved within a particular separation distance from the customer or delivery point. This will allow a customer to identify how far away the delivery actually is in order to prepare for the delivery. The interface may provide additional information, such as a photo and name of the driver delivering the delivery. According to the most preferred form, when on multiple delivery runs, the information provided will typically be for the particular customer's delivery only, and not the entire run.

[0228] In a particularly preferred form, a software application is provided with embedded functionality allowing the production of a location interface showing the delivery. Normally, the embedded functionality will be a part of a whole of concept online order and delivery tracking system. This functionality will typically operate as an extension of the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles of the present invention and information gathered from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles will typically be provided to the whole of concept online order and delivery tracking system. This will typically be a web-based system with one or more downloadable software applications which can be downloaded to a customer personal computing device such as a smart phone 35 as illustrated in Figure 1 or a tablet or desktop PCT, for example.

[0229] A variety of example interfaces produced and displayed by the software application referred to in paragraph 0228 is illustrated in Figures 32A to 36B.

[0230] In Figure 32A and 32B, the example interface illustrated is generally displayed to a customer whilst the GPS signal from the location device is still loading. As noted, the identity of the delivery driver is identified and an estimated delivery time is also provided on this interface. The interface illustrated in Figure 32A is optimised for production and display on a smart phone and the interface illustrated in Figure 32B is optimised for production and display on a web interface of a tablet or desktop computer.

[0231] In Figures 33A to 33C, the example interface illustrated is generally displayed to a customer showing the location of the delivery relative to a map interface. As noted, the identity of the delivery driver is identified (and if not available, a generic avatar of the driver will be displayed where no driver photo exists) and an estimated delivery time is also provided on this interface. The interface illustrated in Figure 33A and 33B is optimised for production and display on a smart phone with the main difference being the prominence of the countdown timer in figure 33A. The interface illustrated in Figure 33C is optimised for production and display on a web interface of a tablet or desktop computer. Also illustrated in these figures is the customer poll question displayed beneath the map interface. Normally, when customers enter the pole using their device, the poll results are then shone with the relative split between the answers.

[0232] In Figure 34A and 34B, the example interface illustrated is generally displayed to a customer when of the delivery order has been completed. As noted, the actual delivery time is also provided on this interface. The interface illustrated in Figure 34A is optimised for production and display on a smart phone and the interface illustrated in Figure 34B is optimised for production and display on a web interface of a tablet or desktop computer.

[0233] In Figure 35A and 35B, the example interface illustrated is generally displayed to a customer if there is no GPS signal available. As noted, the identity of the delivery driver is identified and an estimated delivery time is also provided on this interface. The interface illustrated in Figure 35A is optimised for production and display on a smart phone and the interface illustrated in Figure 35B is optimised for production and display on a web interface of a tablet or desktop computer.

[0234] In Figure 36A and 36B, the example interface illustrated is generally displayed to a customer if the delivery is longer than a guaranteed delivery time. There will not always be guaranteed delivery time, but in cases where there is, the interface will typically adjust to display the time above the guaranteed time in a prominent fashion. As illustrated in these Figures, a popup message alerts the customer to the delay and provide information about how to obtain a free voucher. The interface illustrated in Figure 36A is optimised for production and display on a smart phone and the interface illustrated in Figure 36B is optimised for production and display on a web interface of a tablet or desktop computer.

[0235] A delivery company manager portal is also preferably provided through the wireless communication network 13 to a workstation 36 to allow delivery company management to review available information in relation to all of the home bases for whole of fleet management.

[0236] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0237] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A customer personal computing device operating compliant software system for real-time or near real time monitoring of vehicles, the customer personal computing device for sending information to a central server processing system, the customer submitting an electronic order for one or more ordered goods to be delivered to a delivery location, submission of the electronic order by a customer via the customer personal computing device operating compliant software the customer personal computing device in communication with a central server processing system to receive location data from at least one vehicle mounted device and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to the real time or near real time location of each vehicle to the customer personal computing device operating compliant software.

2. The customer personal computing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the location data is obtained from a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, the vehicle mounted device including

i. at least one location receiver to obtain location data indicative of a

location of the vehicle in real time or near real time,

iii. at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle

mounted device to a power supply system of the vehicle; and

iv. at least one identification tool associated with the vehicle mounted

device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device within the system.

3. A system for real-time or near real time monitoring of vehicles, the system including a

vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, a central server processing system and a home base work station located at the home base of each of the vehicles,

a) the vehicle mounted device including

iii. at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted

device to a power supply system of the vehicle; at least one identification tool associated with the vehicle mounted device to uniquely identify the vehicle mounted device within the system, b) the central server processing system to receive the location data from each vehicle mounted device and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to the real time or near real time location of each vehicle to the home base workstation; and c) the home base work station including:

i. at least one electronic display with a map interface updated in real time indicating the real-time or near real time location of the vehicles on the map interface using the information transferred from the central server processing system;

A central server processing system for real-time or near real time monitoring of vehicles, the central server processing system to receive location data from a vehicle mounted device mounted to a vehicle and based on the location data, to transfer information relating to a real time or near real time location of each vehicle to a home base workstation including

The central server processing system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 further including a vehicle mounted device associated with each vehicle, the vehicle mounted device including i. at least one location receiver to obtain location data indicative of a location of the vehicle in real time or near real time,

iii. at least one electrical connection assembly to connect the vehicle mounted

device to a power supply system of the vehicle; and

6. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the vehicle mounted device

provides location data collected on a second by second basis.

7. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein including multiple components that operate together to track the location of the vehicle through the vehicle mounted device and also to keep record of data from each vehicle mounted device in order to keep the home base workstation informed and/or to log data in relation to each vehicle.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the vehicle mounted device is mounted

temporarily to the vehicle with removal possible as desired.

9. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein the wireless communication module transfers information relating to the location data to the central server processing system for communication with the home base work station.

10. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the at least one electrical

connection assembly allows identification of a status of an ignition system of the vehicle and to include the status as a part of the information transferred to the central server processing system allowing identification of vehicle status.

11. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10 wherein the at least one identification tool allows information collected in relation to the vehicle mounted device to be identified as being associated with or collected from that particular vehicle mounted device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the at least one identification tool is used in conjunction with time and attendance software including employee information, allowing employee information to be used together with the information collected in relation to the vehicle mounted device for the production of useful information or statistics.

13. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 12 wherein the at least one identification tool allows temporary identification of the vehicle and/or driver but permanent identification of the particular vehicle mounted device with which it is associated.

14. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13 wherein the automatic vehicle location system operates according to an automatic vehicle location algorithm located on a server or web platform and the location information is used by the automatic vehicle location algorithm and the server or web platform then transmits information relating to the real-time location of each vehicle to the home base workstation of the particular vehicle.

15. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 14 wherein the central server processing system communicates with a number of different home base workstations and also stores or causes information to be stored in an information log which is accessible by a corporate manager of the respective home base workstations.

16. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 15 wherein the automatic vehicle location system is external to a particular delivery company and the delivery company simply accesses the automatic vehicle location system via the central server processing system.

17. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 16 wherein multiple home base

workstations are provided in a delivery network, each home base workstation having a number of vehicle mounted devices each of which is associated with a vehicle related to that home base workstation, the system reporting the location of each vehicle to its respective home base workstation.

18. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 16 wherein the at least one electronic

display includes at least one monitor or view screen displaying the map interface only and substantially at all times in which the system is operating.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the map interface operates to display traffic data in real time in addition to the location of delivery vehicles.

20. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 19 wherein an icon is provided on the map interface corresponding to each active delivery vehicle.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20 wherein each icon has a trip timer and/or delivery leg timer illustrated in association with the icon in order to allow management to view the elapsed time on delivery for each vehicle, with changes in the delivery leg timer determined via changes in ignition status of vehicle, collected from the vehicle via the vehicle mounted device.

22. The system as claimed in either one of claims 20 or claim 21 wherein the map interface identifies a status of the delivery vehicle in different ways in order to allow a home base manager to manage a delivery sequence and/or preparation time for products, more easily.

23. The system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the map interface identifies a speed of the vehicle indicated on or in relation to the icon indicating the delivery vehicle on the map interface.

24. The system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the icon includes a driver name.

25. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 24 wherein the map interface is updated with real-time alerts as to the activity or behaviour of vehicles which are on delivery based on the location information including alerts indicating excessive acceleration, braking and exceeding the speed limit.

26. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 25 wherein the home base station includes at least one computer operating a software application to interact with an order dispatch software application and/or a delivery management application to manage deliveries and/or time and attendance software application to manage staff.

27. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 26 wherein the home base workstation has a processor associated therewith in order to generate and display the map interface and to receive input from at least one input device in order to control the appearance of the map interface as well as interact with any software applications operating on the home base workstation or in association with the home base workstation.

28. The system as claimed in claim 27 wherein the home base workstation includes a

touchscreen control panel associated with the processor as a part of the home base workstation, used to control the home base workstation computer processor.

29. The system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the processor generates and displays one or more touch actuable buttons on the touchscreen control panel, with a button provided for each available delivery driver to identify the available delivery drivers to each other and to store management and to allow each available delivery driver to interact with the system usually through a driver specific button, the driver specific buttons generated and displayed on the touchscreen control panel as the delivery drivers clock into a time and attendance software application operating in association with the home base workstation computer processor, each driver specific button indicating the status of the delivery driver.

30. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 29 wherein a driver uses the at least one identification tool reader to associate a vehicle mounted device with the driver for use during a delivery period.

31. The system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 30 integrated with an online ordering

system provided by a company providing products to be delivered.

32. The system as claimed in claim 31 wherein a portion of the information from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles is provided to the online ordering system in order to allow a customer to receive real-time updates about the location of their order during the delivery process.

33. The system as claimed in claim 32 wherein an interface is produced on a personal

computing device of the customer based on information from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles to show the location of the delivery relative to the customer.

34. The system as claimed in claim 31 or claim 32 wherein the online ordering system includes a software application provided with embedded functionality allowing the production of a location interface showing the delivery using the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles and information gathered from the system for real-time monitoring of vehicles is provided to the online ordering system.