EP0085903A2 - Modified method for the official standards inspection of electronic taximeters - Google Patents

Abstract

During the official standards inspection, the taximeter can be switched in the non-sealed state into a test state. By the actuation of various keys (T1, T2, T3), the tariff data filed in a non-erasable tariff-data memory (TPROM) in the unit are displayed sequentially in order to test the tariff setting. The tariff data are called up by means of a plurality of keys, so that the individual tariffs are called up in succession by one key (T1) and the individual tariff values within the tariffs by another key (T2). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for improving, in particular facilitating, the custody transfer of electronic taximeters which are equipped with an arithmetic unit, a live memory, a system memory, a non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data and with a command keyboard.

With conventional mechanical taximeters, the individual tariffs were set by installing gear wheels with different numbers of teeth. When the taximeter was accepted by the calibration authorities and the technicians of the service workshop, it was then necessary to run the vehicle with the built-in device either by repeatedly driving it along a test track or on an elaborate roller test bench to determine whether it was carried out according to the specified Distance or after the specified waiting time the fare display system was advanced in each tariff level; in other words, whether the taximeter was actually set to the specified tariff values.

In the case of electronic taximeters, the official approval of the devices is simplified in that all tariff data are stored digitally in a memory which can be checked with regard to the data contained in them, so that in this case a test run would not be absolutely necessary. However, there are also two options here for entering the tariff data in the taximeter. Either one uses a non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data, a so-called PROM, which is supplied by the manufacturer and which must be replaced in any case when the tariffs change. Such PROMs cannot be deleted with regard to the values set in them, but additional values could be entered. Therefore, the calibration authorities attach great importance to the handling of these PROMs only done by authorized persons to prevent abuse. In addition, the calibration authorities require that the taximeter be removed with the built-in PROM in order to be able to check that the tariff set also corresponds to the local conditions with certainty. When using non-erasable tariff data storage in taximeters, it was previously necessary to determine whether the set tariff values were correct, similar to the old mechanical taximeters, by means of a test bench or by driving through a test track.

Another known method for programming and verifying electronic taximeters is that the tariff data can be written into an erasable live memory by means of a programming device. In this case, it is possible to make the data entered visible on the programming device, so that the calibration acceptance is simplified with regard to the query of the set tariff data, in that the calibration officer only has to read the set tariff data on the programming device.

The use of a programming device for the electronic taximeter with every tariff change means that it is necessary for every maintenance workshop for taximeters to acquire such a programming device, which is associated with considerable costs. If a large number of taximeters are running in a densely populated area, then it is worth buying such a device. However, if the number of taxis and thus the number of available taximeters is relatively small in rural areas, the purchase of such a programming device means an unjustifiable effort.

The object of the invention is now to provide a method for improving the custody transfer, particularly in the case of taximeters which are equipped with a non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data, which must be exchanged when the tariff changes. In particular, it should enable the official of the calibration office to use the taximeter to read the tariff values the device is set to. In this case, the elaborate programming device can be dispensed with, and nevertheless the calibration acceptance can be designed even when using a non-erasable constant memory so that the set tariff data can be checked without checking on a test bench or on a test track.

The invention therefore relates to a method for improving the custody transfer of electronic taximeters that are equipped with an arithmetic unit, a live memory, a system memory, a non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data and a command keyboard and is characterized in that when not set Tariff data sealing, a switch assumes a position that enables a switch to a test state that, triggered by the actuation of various keys on the command keyboard, the tariff data stored in the constant memory are transmitted one after the other in a predetermined order either directly or after appropriate conversion and that when setting the tariff data sealing is switched back to the operating state and the test state is locked.

The method according to the invention is further characterized in that the test state of the device is switched on by a first key, that the taximeter can be switched to the individual tariff levels in succession by means of a second key, while a third key is used to switch off the individual tariff values within each tariff level the non-erasable constant memory. The use of several buttons for the control of the test program has the advantage that it is possible not to have to call up all tariff values one after the other if need be, if there is only a need to call a very specific tariff value. The test status can also be interrupted at any time by setting the tariff data seal and the associated actuated switch, so that it is possible to carry out targeted checks on the set tariff values.

As far as the display is concerned, the fare display field is used to display the actual tariff values and the surcharge display field is used to display the identifiers of the tariff values. This also makes it easy to distinguish between the actual tariff values and their identifiers, since it is known that in each electronic taximeter the fare display fields and the surcharge display fields are separated from one another by covers.

Further details of the method according to the invention result from the following description of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

• FIG. 1 ein Übersichtsschaltbild des elektronischen Taxameters, an dem das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren verwirklicht ist,
• FIG. 2 ist eine Darstellung der Frontseite des Taxameters,
• FIG. 3 ist ein Organigramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

In the drawings shows

• FIG. 1 shows an overview circuit diagram of the electronic taximeter on which the method according to the invention is implemented,
• FIG. 2 is an illustration of the front of the taximeter,
• FIG. 3 is an organizational chart of the method according to the invention.

The electronic taximeter according to the invention is provided with an arithmetic unit in the form of a microprocessor MC, with a system memory in the form of an electrically programmable fixed data memory in the form of an EPROM, and with a live memory in the form of a so-called Random Access Memory (RAM). In the case of extensive taximeter systems, there is not only one system memory EPROM1 but also a second system memory EPROM2, it optionally being possible to integrate one of these memories into the arithmetic unit MC. The taximeter also has a non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data TPROM. It is a memory in which constant values can be written once and which can then be read out of this memory, although if the data changes, for example if the tariff changes, the memory must be replaced.

The taximeter also has a command keyboard consisting of the keys T1 to T4, which act on contacts K1 to K4. Via a coding matrix C in the form of a diode matrix and gates G, the commands from this command keyboard can be transmitted both to the data bus B1 and to the address bus B2, which connect all of the modules MC, EPROM1, EPROM2, RAM and TPROM to one another. A space for the sealing, in particular for the tariff data sealing PK, is also provided in the device in the form of a screw which connects the housing parts to one another. This tariff data sealing PK actuates a switch K5. The switch K5 is open when the seal is set, it is closed when the seal is not set.

The display AZ is connected to the arithmetic unit MC via an arrangement of amplifiers VM. The amplifiers VM simultaneously multiplex the display AZ. The arithmetic unit MC and the system memories EPROM1 and EPROM2 control the data and address flow on the bus lines B1 and B2, the live memory RAM being used to record intermediate values when determining the fare as well as the so-called control counter data, for example the total km , the busy km, the number of journeys, the fares taken, etc. The non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data TPROM, on the other hand, records values such as basic amount in Taxe I, increment amount in Taxe I, increment distance in Taxe I, increment time in Taxe I, etc If the taximeter has several tariff levels, the data for all these tariff levels are of course stored in this memory. What is involved in detail will be explained below.

For the time being, let us first look at the appearance of the Taximeters received, with FIG. 2 represents the front of this device. The taximeter has a key strip TL, on which in this case four keys T1 to T4 are arranged, which, as already shown for FIG. 1 explains, act on four contacts K1 to K4. Below the key strip TL, three housing projections are arranged on the taximeter, of which the middle MV is used to attach a type plate, the two lateral LV and RV are used to attach two sealing screws PK and FK. The housing projections LV and RV act like sealing bowls, ie the recesses in these projections LV and RV are filled with the seal. The sealing screw FK is usually used to secure the device in the vehicle, while the sealing screw PK has the function of locking the housing and thus also securing the program, ie the tariff data, against unauthorized access. In some cases, instead of two screws PK and FK, three can also be provided, one of which secures the device in the vehicle, the second closes the housing of the taximeter and a third is additionally provided for securing tariff data. In any case, the sealing screw PK, the tariff data sealing, acts on the switch K5 according to FIG. 1 by opening this switch when the sealing screw is set, but closed when the sealing screw is unscrewed.

Above the key bar TL you can see the display window AF, which bears a front lettering sheet FS behind a transparent cover plate. The front sheet FS has display windows AF1 and AF2, behind which normally, i.e. in the operating state of the device, the fare and the surcharge are displayed by the electronic display elements of the display AZ. Normally, the fare display AF1 has five digits and the surcharge display AF2 has four digits.

The front part of FS is in its upper part with _n ehmungen provided, inserted through a plurality of control indicators LED are that according to indicate to the system program memory EPROM1, EPROM2 are driven to the respective operating state of the taximeter. For this purpose, the control displays LED are arranged relative to labeling fields AF3 to AF5, which can each be provided with the corresponding texts. Display field AF3 is labeled "Operation", display field AF4 is labeled "Control Counter" and display field AF5 is labeled "Test". In each of these three operating states, the control indicators LED which surround this display field AF3 to AF5 are switched on. The display field AF3 z. B. is marked by the control indicators LED when the taximeter is in its normal operating state, the display field AF4 when a control counter query is made, the display field AF5 "test" when a test for the purpose of calibration either by the installing workshop or by the calibration authorities should be made.

Based on the in FIG. 3, the organization chart shown will now go into detail on how the test program for custody transfer is structured and carried out. It should be assumed that the taximeter has been provided with a new constant memory for the tariff data TPROM, which, from a purely local point of view, is arranged directly behind the front document FS so that the constant memory TPROM can be replaced simply by unscrewing the front plate. For this purpose, the taximeter remains installed in the vehicle. Only the front side of the housing is unscrewed and the TPROM constant memory is replaced behind the front sheet FS. Then the front sheet FS is put back on and the tariff data seal PK is temporarily screwed in, but not tightened, so that the switch K5 interacting with it is initially still closed. Is the taximeter to the Be drive voltage connected, then the control indicators LED, which surround the display field AF3, ie "Operation", normally light up. In FIG. 3, this state is characterized in that polling is carried out according to 1 PK. If switch 5 is open, the normal taximeter program runs. However, since the switch is closed in this case, a signal is given which the test program according to FIG. 2 provides for initialization. Through the test program, the three buttons T1, T2, T3 and the associated contacts K1 to K3 are successively queried as to whether they are closed, see 3, 5 and 7.

If the test program is to run correctly, the T3 key must be pressed first. If the key T3 has been pressed (7), then the control indicators LED which surround the writing field AF5 first light up, step 8 according to FIG. 3. The test program continues. If it is now determined, for example, that the T1 key has been pressed, then according to FIG. 4, each time the T1 key is pressed, the individual taxis are called up one after the other, that is, first A, then B, then C, etc. The fact that now A is called up, is indicated by the illumination of an indicator A in the overhead display field AF2. If, however, the various tariff data, such as the basic amount, indexing amount, indexing distance, indexing time, etc., are to be called up within the individual tariff levels, then it is necessary to press the T2 key after the correct rate has been activated by pressing the T1 key the following tariff values are called up one after the other.

In the following list, the individual tariff values are listed one after the other with the identifier assigned to them in display field AF2 and with a numerical example for a corresponding tariff.

A comparison of the above list together with a consideration of the organization chart according to FIG. 3 makes it clear that within the test program the test program is first switched on by pressing the key T3, that the individual taxis within the constant memory TPROM are then called up one after the other by pressing the key T1 and that within the individual taxis by the additional actuation of the key T2 then the individual tariff values can be called up one after the other. Through the test program, the tariff values stored in the constant memory TPROM are then called up by the arithmetic unit _M C and the system memory EPROM1 and transferred to the display so that they become visible on the fare field, while, as already said, the corresponding identifiers appear in the additional field. The service technician in the workshop or the calibration officer can therefore convince himself without the help of a special test bench which values are now set in the taximeter, so that a complex programming device or a complex roller test bench can be dispensed with, especially in this case A great advantage of the device is if the taximeters are to be used in a rural area with a low population density.

In some cases, the tariff value is not stored in decimal in the constant memory TPROM, as stated above in the example, but in a binary coding adapted to the device system. In this case, the value must be converted to the decimal value with the aid of the arithmetic unit MC and the system program EPROM1 and EPROM2. To make it clear that a calculation process is taking place that extends over a large number of increments, a special display will appear in the display field AF1 during this calculation process, which would consist, for example, of the middle lines of the 7-segment display. The taximeter then displays the calculated tariff value after the calculation process has been completed.

Is a certain tariff value inadmissible in the test program, e.g. B. the advance time in the checkout position, then an E appears in the fare display field AF1 instead of a tariff value to indicate that this is an error, that is, such a tariff value does not exist.

Claims (5)

1. A method for improving the custody transfer of electronic taximeters which are equipped with an arithmetic unit, a live memory, a system memory, a non-erasable constant memory for the tariff data and a command keyboard,
characterized,
that if the tariff data seal (PK) is not set, a switch (K5) assumes a position which enables a switchover to a test state,
that, triggered by the actuation of various keys (T1 to T3) on the command keyboard, the tariff data stored in the constant memory (TPROM) are transferred in succession either directly or after appropriate conversion to the display (AZ) and
that when the tariff data sealing (PK) is set, the system switches back to the "operation" state and the "test" state is locked. 2. The method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the switching on of the "test" state takes place via a first key (T3) and that afterwards when pressing a further key (T1) the individual tariff levels (A, B, C) are called in succession as in the operating state, while the individual values of the tariff within each individual tariff level by pressing a third key (T2). 3. The method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the tariff value appears for the fare in the display field (AF1), the tariff value identifier for the surcharge in the display field (AF2). 4. The method according to claim 1 and 3,
characterized,
that when the tariff data is stored in coded form in the constant memory (TPROM), a conversion to the decimal values takes place during the test process and that the calculation process is indicated in the display field (AF1) by a special display. 5. The method according to claim 1 to 4,
characterized,
that inadmissible tariff data are made visible when queried by an "error" indicator (E).

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