DE4104057A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHECKING TARIFF DETERMINING TIMES IN A TAXAMETER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for checking the tariff setting times in a taximeter or odometer, which are dependent on a clock (rtc = real time clock). The method of the invention consists in that, in a taximeter to be checked, relevant time advancements, preferably a time advancement by one minute at a time, are to be accelerated maximally by starting a maintenance program, in such a way that a time sequence of an evaluating program is made to initiate tariff-setting functions in a time-compressed form. The device for checking the tariff setting times in a taximeter of the kind described above is characterised in that a stoppage of an accelerated time sequence is marked by an acoustic message, and each stopping of the accelerated time sequence is counted by means of a counter. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method and a Establishment for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or odometer, which is from a clock (rtc = real time clock) are dependent.

Known taximeter devices or odometers have via an internal clock with a calendar edition that goes with it serves to trigger predetermined functions through tariff parameters. This can be automatic tariff changes, for example a day tariff to a night tariff or other equivalent Switching.

To check the parameters set for this Switching times are necessary for the clock and the calendar to be placed "immediately" before the expected switching times and then wait for the reaction or actively try make with the aim, for. B. a tariff effect before and after to find the actual changeover time.

A number of rtc standard modules have one Possibility to change the normal procedure in the counters for the purpose of a Checking the correct transfers between the secondary, Accelerate minute, hour and calendar counters in that prescaler chains for the division of the Quartz frequency can be bridged.

Such an acceleration option is time-controlled taximeter functions not accessible.

The object of the invention is a method and Show facility by means of which in a timely sequence the parameterized functions of a taximeter device or Odometer are verifiable.

The procedural solution to this task is to  in a taximeter to be checked by starting a Maintenance program relevant time updates, preferably a time advance every minute, maximum accelerate in such a way that a time lapse of an evaluating Program in a timely form to trigger tariff-determining functions is initiated.

According to the device, the task is solved by the features of claim 10.

Advantageous further developments of the invention The method and the device according to the invention are in the Characteristics of the subclaims specified.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings explained.

It shows

Fig. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a taximeter according to the invention (Main Loop),

Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (SCOM)

Fig. 3 is a front view of a taximeter with display and controls.

In Fig. 3 is a front view is shown of a taximeter or odometer with a display 30 and four control elements 31 in the form of buttons T 1 to T 4, are actuated by the corresponding not shown in detail switches S 1 to S 4 on a printed circuit board. The display 30 is also attached to the circuit board and can be read through a front glass plate 32 in a front housing shell 33 . The display 30 is divided into a plurality of controllable display elements and is subdivided into a main display 34 , a secondary display 35 , a tax level display 36 , a time calculation symbol 37 , an error word display symbol 38 and six flags 41 to 46 . The main display 34 consists of a six-digit number and is used when using a display of the fare, the route, the control counter values, the parameters and the error display. The secondary display 35 is a four-digit number by which in the application a surcharge, a tip amount, a fixed value (e.g. distance traveled), a maintenance index (for service), a function display of the maintenance programs or a pulse count in test mode is displayed will. In accordance with a controllable segment combination, the tax level display 36 shows the tariff level selected in terms of numbers. The time allocation symbol 37 , designed as a clock symbol, indicates the status of a time allocation within a tax level. Flags 41 to 46 are freely parameterizable characters to support the display of special functions of the individual tax levels. Flag 41 generally serves to mark the tax level setting, flag 42 to indicate a "cash register" position in a tax level, and finally flag 43 points as an arrow pointing to the functional position "free" printed on a panel 39 . Flag 44 can, for example, mark a display of the control counters. The set flag 45 indicates that a parameterization has been enabled, which takes place in connection with the setting of a switch 40 to so-called enable contacts 47 (for "0") and 48 (for "1"). Furthermore, an eight-pin test socket 49 is provided, which is used for data input / output via serial interface. Access to the release contacts 47 , 48 and to the test socket 49 is covered by a cover cap 50 and secured by a seal 51 . To protect against manipulation, in particular to secure the tariff-relevant clock and calendar data, the call of the maintenance program and thus the possibility of an acceleration, for example a time advance, is placed under the protection of a seal 51 . Before the maintenance program is called, the seal 51 must therefore be broken, which at the same time also protects other functions, such as parameterization, deletion functions and other test functions, from misuse. After removing the seal 51 and the cover cap 50 , the test switch 40 , which is now accessible, can be actuated. Then the clock (rtc) in the taximeter device can be set to the start time and the start date, provided that these do not already correspond to the time of day and the current date.

A test device and a procedure for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or an odometer, which are dependent on a clock (rtc), are described below. When an autonomous test is run, the test preparation consists of calling the maintenance program with the basic functions from the following steps: Establishing readiness for an accelerated run of the clock (rtc) and clearing the event counter. With reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 1 functioning of a taximeter of the start of the test is initiated by switching on a tariff, that is by a circuit from the "free" to "busy". The rtc is then incremented by one minute with each program cycle (see FIG. 1). With each program cycle, a complete check of all parameterized times is carried out, which may be relevant to the tariff.

If an event, such as a Day / night switching, a start or an end of one Holidays or another event recognized, so take place Stop the continuation of the rtc, an acoustic message and a Counting the stopping effect in the event counter with one display for a definable time.

According to this, an influence on the tariff parameters can be checked, in particular with regard to the possibility of connecting predetermined tariff levels, which can be determined by manual change of the current tariff level by means of operating elements 31 including the execution of switching sequences from "free" to "busy" to "free"" to . . . and so on.

It is still possible to check the influence on Effects with regard to parameters such as indexing distances,  

Switching times (waiting times), basic and switching amounts as well as other parameters influencing the fare, such as Surcharges, percent markups and / or markdowns and the like. many more.

It is also possible to check the influence on an immediate one, prompted by an event Switching tariff parameters, especially to one immediate tariff level switching.

The maintenance program or the test can then be continued by pressing a dedicated control button (T 1 to T 4 ). If repetitive and non-repetitive event times are specified in the parameter set for the definition of the events, for example definitions of irregular holidays, it makes sense to use a filtering of the events so that the first occurrence of repetitive events is marked by an acoustic message in the process is counted by means of a counter and is temporarily displayed in the surcharge display. This gives you the option of making these times accessible for review when a day / night changeover or a night / day changeover occurs, for example, and then only recording the event times that are defined as non-repetitive times .

An assignment of the events to the associated ones rtc times and calendar positions are made by comparing the Event counter values.

In a first phase, after the start and the Continue the test as previously described, all Event counter values noted in order. After that is done a call to the maintenance program to set up the rtc and Reset the rtc to the test start time and the Test start calendar values. At the same time, the event counter reset while keeping the time display for start and Continuous.

In a second phase, the time and  Calendar values after each stop, caused by the recognition an event time, to the list of event counter values, which were recorded in the test sequence in the event counter are.

Deviating from the autonomous ones described above According to the invention, tests is also an automatic test using Application of a test device feasible. The test preparation consists in coupling the test device, preferably a "hand-held computer" or "lap-top" to the Serial interface of the taximeter and the inclusion of the Communication (LOG-ON).

The start of the test is initiated by a start command from the tester. The start command can be issued by a button command is triggered on the test device. With the Start command is an rtc influence, as in Connection with the autonomous test has already been explained, So the rtc is incremented by 1 minute per program cycle, test all parameterized points in time, when a Event follows "Stop the rtc, acoustic message, counting in the event counter with display for a definable time ".

There is also a manual check of tariff influence possible, as already explained in the autonomous test, however not a primary goal.

Each time an event is identified in accordance with Art Day / night switching, beginning or end of one Weekend period and other event times the test device assigns the event, in such a way that from the parameter set for the definition of the rtc functions the effect specification taken and on the Text display of the test device is output.

The progress of the test, in each case after detection of one Event time, can be done manually using the keyboard of the Test device done, or continuously, with a previously Test end date should be specified in the tester. With An ongoing test can provide a list of event times  with the respective effect specification (taken from the Taximeter parameters).

In a further embodiment of the invention a combination of the autonomous test with the possibilities of a test device connected via serial communication two-phase check of the event times for one phase be reduced so that with the entry of any Event time immediately parallel to the tariff event the associated time and calendar status on the display of the test device can be displayed.

The automatic check can be expanded accordingly be that one of the manual tariff check, as in Described in connection with the autonomous test, comparable Behavioral check in the "BUSY" operating state can be carried out. The manual operating procedures are standardized and by Corresponding simulation (via remote control) from the test device executed. In the standardized operating sequence, you can use the Serial communication by querying the system status as well as Querying the fare-relevant data for continued Switching from "FREE" to "BUSY" to "FREE" after. . . the parameters dependent on the event from the test device recorded and compared with specifications.

The method of operation of the method according to the exemplary embodiment of an autonomous test is explained below with reference to FIG. 1. The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 shows the functional method steps of a taximeter according to the invention. Steps 11 and 12 show the beginning of the process program after applying the operating voltage to the taximeter device or after a voltage dip and a subsequent initialization of the RAM, this includes in particular processes such as loading constants, loading the working day, and prefixing Control flags (control bits), setting the display parameters (hardware driver mode for LCD) and others; finally an initialization of the ports.

In steps 13 and 14 , the control flag (acan flag) is queried for the minute fast run 14 branch. The flag is set in the maintenance program provided for this purpose and is reset when an event time 19 (e.g. day / night switchover) is reached.

The minute register (minute counter) is counted up for each pass through the main loop (starting at 30). The count-up speed depends on the duration of the loop revolution, so that after each increase a check of the program 15 and the query 19 can be carried out.

In process step 15 , the taximeter program runs in normal operation, consisting of: Summary of all standard program parts that are necessary for the formation of the fare and the surcharge (selection of tariff levels, route and time calculations, automatic tariff level switching, and many others). "Normal operation" means here: the taximeter program is run without the influence of further test routines not shown here.

In method steps 16 and 17 , the possibility of a manual test termination by means of an operating key T 1 to T 4 is provided to avoid "eternal loops". The corresponding key is not defined; however, it is expedient to use an operating button that is not used in the standard program 15 , but at least is hidden there as long as the test is running.

Steps 18 , 19 , 110 show a branching with the control flag (t-flag) to the normal run and test run, regardless of the control flag (scan flag), which only serves to release the program part 14 . If an event time of 19 has been recognized, the marking 110 takes place. The branch 19 may receive the information through various flags, which are not specified here.

With regard to steps 111 and 112 , a maintenance operation can be activated in program part 13 from normal operation in such a way that the maintenance programs with branching 111 can be called up / operated in position "FREE" by pressing operating buttons which are not defined in more detail. Some of these programs can only be activated if a sealed switch 47 , 48 is closed beforehand (after the seal 51 has been released ).

The setting for the maintenance programs remains for the rtc test 14 , 18 , 19 , 110 , so that after detection of an event time according to 19 , 110 and resetting of the (scan flag), a new start with steps 118 takes place immediately , 119 can take place, or the display time control can run.

The program management Maintenance 112 is used to select the programs from a list or to release the corresponding indexed program.

After the maintenance program 113 has been released in step 102 for adjusting the clock, the release not being explained in more detail, the clock can be adjusted in step 115 . The seal switch query 114 prevents the unauthorized access during operation without tests, ie during service.

In the course of the steps 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , after the maintenance program 116 has been released for the rtc test and after authorization in step 117, by opening the seal 51 and closing the seal switch 47 , 48 , an operating button (not specified) can be used the rtc test can be started. This is done by setting the control flags t-flag and scan-flag.

The following applies with regard to steps 120 , 121 : In the sequence part 110 , a display of an event counter is initiated and a display time is defined. After this time has elapsed, and the time control as such can be set up in step 124 , the "old" display 121 is re-keyed, typically a surcharge display previously entered during the test.

Regarding the routine with steps 122 , 123 , it should be noted: Other maintenance programs can be designed differently for one of the purposes mentioned below: For path adjustment, for entering and checking passcodes, for entering parameters, for pulse simulation (path / Time), for signature generation and display and many others. If none of the maintenance programs is released (a release in 112 is not explained in more detail), the index is displayed with which a maintenance program can be selected.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for a supplementary explanation of the mode of operation via a serial interface of the taximeter (SCOM). Steps 21 , 22 represent the procedure for the asynchronous recording of serial data, which are stored in a data buffer. "Half duplex operation" is assumed. The buffer is considered to be loaded when its capacity is exhausted or a control character, in particular "carriage return", has been received as the last character of a character string.

Regarding routine 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , it should be noted that command queries 24 and 26 can only be accessed if the sealable switch is closed by an authorization in step 23 . With the commands "Start-rtc-Test" and "Stop-rtc-Test" the control flags (t-flag and scan-flag) are directly influenced, so that in the program loop shown in FIG. 1, the corresponding test sequences also without manual interventions can take place.

After recognizing the "Query clock / calendar" command in step 28 , the data of the clock (counter values) are copied into the send buffer (Tx buffer).

In steps 210 , 211 , the current status of the device can be determined by querying the system status, in particular in the case of automated tests.

Steps 212 , 213 , 214 show an example of a fare query which, like the other queries, leads to program part 214 "start Tx procedure". The buffer content is then sent byte-by-byte in a separate interrupt program part.

Finally, in steps 220 , 221 , 222 the Tx buffer is processed, started by program part 214 . In step 222 there is a switch to receive mode, since the communication takes place in "half-duplex mode".

Claims (14)

1. A method for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or odometer, which are dependent on a clock (rtc = real time clock), characterized in that in a taximeter to be checked by starting a maintenance program, relevant time advances, preferably a time advance in Minute intervals, maximum acceleration are such that a time lapse of an evaluating program is triggered in a time-lapse form to trigger tariff-determining functions. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized, that starting and continuing the maintenance program for the accelerated timing using a button can be triggered. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized, that starting and continuing the maintenance program for the accelerated timing over a serial communication he follows. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized, that the one started by a maintenance program accelerated timing is stopped by an occurrence one or more events for the purpose of a dedicated Tariff choice.   5. The method according to claim 4, characterized, that the accelerated timing is stopped by a Day / night switching for the purpose of a dedicated Tariff choice. 6. The method according to claim 4, characterized, that the accelerated timing is stopped by a beginning or an end of a weekend period to Purpose of choosing a tariff or using Special parameters in this period. 7. The method according to claim 4, characterized, that the accelerated timing is stopped by a beginning or an end of a holiday period to Purpose of choosing a tariff or using Special parameters in this holiday period. 8. The method according to claim 4, characterized, that the accelerated timing, started by a Maintenance program that is stopped by a start or an end to daylight saving time or Winter time. 9. The method according to claim 4, characterized, that the accelerated timing is stopped by a seasonal special rate period, which is due to a vacation phase, a trade fair or an exhibition is shown.   10. Establishment for checking tariff-determining Points in time in a taximeter or odometer, which depend on a clock (rtc), characterized, that stopping an accelerated timing through an acoustic message is marked and every stop of the accelerated time counted by means of a counter becomes. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the counter is displayed with the occurrence of an event, the count for a certain time in a secondary display ( 35 ) (surcharge display), wherein a value displayed there is temporarily substituted. 12. Device according to claim 10, characterized, that the specified events are filtered, in such a way that a first appearance of repetitive Events reported, counted and temporarily displayed and a subsequent occurrence of the same Event did not stop the accelerated Time counting leads. 13. Device according to claim 10, characterized, that a communication interface for connecting a Test device for controlling an automatic test sequence is arranged such that according to the specification of a Check program a change in state of the taximeter is carried out including a query and check of associated data and parameters for each Operating status.   14. Device according to claim 13, characterized, that the connectable to the communication interface Test device for recording all repetitive and non-repetitive event times and an output the same is in the form of a list.