FR2792754A1 - ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR MONITORING VEHICLES CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE TRANSPORTABLE DATA MEDIUM - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic vehicle monitoring device comprises a data carrier in the form of a vehicle key (2) in which data relating to the use of the vehicle can be entered in a data communication station (8). This vehicle-related data is read from the data carrier (2) in the vehicle (10). Conversely, data relating to the vehicle can be written to the data carrier (2) in the vehicle and read in the data communication station (8) after the end of use of the vehicle. Data communication can be protected by the recording of personal data on the data medium. This vehicle monitoring device is flexible to use and works safely.

Description

The invention relates to an electronic device for monitoring

  vehicles comprising at least one support

transportable data.

  Document DE 196 21 556 Cl discloses an anti-theft protection device for a motor vehicle in which an electronic immobilizer lock can be released by means of a service key. In the electronic immobilizer lock, a budget or a duration of use is memorized which decreases with each use of the vehicle by means of the service key. The budget or the duration of use still available can be reset to zero or adjusted using a master key or master key. The service key and the master key are independent of each other, and you do not have to carry the master key with you at all times. With the known anti-theft protection device, the risk of theft is reduced since the complete availability of the vehicle is only obtained with the two keys. For the vehicle user, the device is relatively complicated by the fact that it requires in total

two keys.

  Document DE 41 23 666 A1 discloses a vehicle security device which includes an on-board computer and component control units for components which are expensive to operate. When the vehicle is to be used by means of an electronic key, the on-board computer sends a code stored in the key to a component control unit, which modifies this code in a predetermined way and returns it to the computer of edge. In the on-board computer, the modified code is compared with a code stored there; the use of the vehicle is only released in the event of a match. If there is no match, the on-board computer sends the component control unit a blocking signal in response to which the component concerned is blocked. The on-board computer can be programmed from a command center of the device, which is located, for example, at a vehicle seller. If a component is replaced, its code is entered in the memories of the on-board computer in the device's control center. In addition, in the control center of the device, which can be linked by radio to a central database, the electronic key provided with a data memory can be programmed and loaded with data, for example in such a way that the number vehicle use is limited. With the security device described above, the anti-theft security of a vehicle is certainly considerably improved; but the device does not offer any possibility for an authorized user of the vehicle or a possessor of this vehicle to influence the availability of the vehicle or to record

  vehicle data.

  To supply a vehicle with data relating to driving, there are extremely diverse devices, for example global positioning devices in combination with GSM mobile telephone networks, devices using short messages, radiocommunication devices, such as RDS (radio-data-systems or radio data systems), TMC (Traffic-Message-Channel or channel of messages on the

  traffic) or DAB (Digital-Audio-Broadcasting or radio-

  digital audio broadcasting). These devices use extremely diverse service providers and access providers, which requires considerable expenditure of hardware and software in the vehicle. The invention aims to create an electronic vehicle monitoring device which is able to adapt flexibly to the conditions

  required and which is simple to operate.

  This problem is solved by an electronic vehicle monitoring device, comprising at least one transportable data medium, in particular a vehicle operating part provided with a data memory, at least one data communication device permanently installed. in the vehicle comprising an on-board computer for controlling and acquiring vehicle functions and a data storage / extraction device for bidirectional data communication with the data medium and at least one data communication device remote from the vehicle, comprising a data input / output device for the bidirectional communication of the data with the data carrier, the operation of the vehicle being controllable in accordance with data loaded on the data carrier by means of the data communication device in solidarity with the vehicle and the data loaded by means of the di data communication device secured to the vehicle that can be read on the

data carrier.

  With the vehicle monitoring device according to the invention, the transportable data medium, in particular a vehicle key provided with a data memory or a card, is used as an interface between the data communication device integral with the vehicle, therefore the vehicle, and a data communication device remote from the vehicle, for example a personal computer. Data communication between the data medium and the data communication device concerned can be bidirectional, that is to say that using the data medium, data can be transmitted from the communication device remote from the vehicle to vehicle and, conversely, from vehicle to remote vehicle data communication device. The data loaded into the data carrier in the vehicle's remote data communication device can be entered directly into a computer there or can be acquired by a vehicle manufacturer, a seller, a workshop, etc. using a transmission channel, such as the Internet, a modem, an operator, email or a mobile phone with a data service. The source and destination of data can be car rental companies, car-sharing organizations,

vehicle fleets, etc.

  Compared to traditional solutions, the device is simple to make. It does not require any additional communication service in the vehicle. It is a stand-alone device that can be used worldwide. Its standards can be freely defined. With regard to the configuration possibilities for data input and output, a single type of service plan can be determined which can be used for all vehicles. The device can be integrated into vehicle and fleet rental solutions. The system is independent of service providers and service providers. It is not linked to additional monthly fees. It does not require

  transmission of additional data.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, a sort of electronic key table is created on which the data medium placed there is automatically updated and / or read, this by means of the data writing / reading station provided a data carrier reader for at least one data carrier in which the data automatically entered into the data carrier by the data communication device remote from the vehicle are written and / or on which the data which is read found there and which have been stored there in the data communication device permanently installed in the

vehicle.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, an accumulator of the data medium is automatically charged thanks to the fact that the data writing / reading station includes a charging device for recharging

the accumulator.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, which widens the possibilities of using the device according to the invention, the data communication device remote from the vehicle is connected by radio to the data recording / reading station which is connected to the

vehicle by radio.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, which is particularly advantageous for the anti-theft security of the vehicle, a budget stored in the vehicle is set to zero when the data recording / reading station leaves the range area d emission from the vehicle transmitter. According to an improvement of the electronic vehicle monitoring device, with which the device is protected from access by unauthorized persons, the data communication device remote from the vehicle comprises an electronic access control device, the communication device data permanently installed in the vehicle comprises an electronic access control device and the access control device comprises a sensor for acquisition

biometric data.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, which makes it possible to obtain high anti-theft security for the vehicles included in the device according to the invention, the data carrier can receive personal data and additional data, the additional data being exclusively recorded in response to a positive comparison of the personal data stored on the data medium with those entered by a person in the data communication device permanently installed in the vehicle, or with personal data entered by the data medium in a

vehicle computer.

  According to a particularly advantageous feature in the use of the device for vehicle fleets, a data communication station remote from the vehicle has several data carrier readers each intended to receive a data carrier and the data can be selectively written to the data carrier or y

to be read.

  According to another characteristic, which provides the advantage of making it possible to visually and directly read essential data on the data medium, the data medium has a display for

display of data content.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the data contains information for budgeting the use of the vehicle, so that the device according to the invention can be applied in a particularly advantageous manner for budgeting the use of vehicles, that is to say for a

  flexible use of vehicles.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, different phases of an authorization to use are associated with different personal data, so that budgets and authorizations to use the vehicle can be

individually fixed.

  The data which are processed in the monitoring device according to the invention are, for example: budget data, possibly a function of time, with a real time clock in the key, mileage indications or the number of starts. The budget type and the limit can be selected individually in a variable and immediate manner on the remote data communication device of the vehicle, for example

a personal computer.

  - log book: the corresponding data contains, for example, the identification of the driver and the vehicle, the time and date, the driving time and the rest time, the mileage, the reason for the trip, the route taken , the indication of the level of the tank with the consumption, the cut-off states of the vehicle components, the maintenance states and also the voltage of the accumulator, the inflation pressure of the tires, the levels, the memory functions, of

  telephone communications records, etc.

  - diagnostic and variation functions: the corresponding data are used to release certain devices from the vehicle and to modify or limit vehicle functions, for example "Use or Pay on Demand" (use or payment on demand). The device according to the invention is particularly well suited for the self-employed, the liberal professions and the employees who are frequently on the road, for car rental companies, for vehicle fleets in industry and commerce, for service providers of services and for

public administration.

  Advantageous conversion possibilities lie in the automatic keeping of a logbook, for example as a supporting document for the tax authorities, as supporting documents for the employer in the statement of working time and for the calculation of the salary, as a basis for statistics, as a receipt for car rental, for the optimal use of vehicles in a fleet of vehicles (reduction of downtime), preparation of invoices and on-site collection for car rentals and vehicle sharing organizations, in monitoring the state of servicing and maintenance of vehicles at car rental companies and

  vehicle sharing organizations.

  In the vehicle, the following data can be entered and transmitted to the data memory of the data carrier: fluid levels, tire pressures, the driving profile with which the vehicle has been driven (for example to calculate a loyalty discount if there is a good driving style), is the fuel still sufficient for a journey from A to B,

  where the automobile is located, etc.

  With the vehicle monitoring device according to the invention, the greatest advantages are obtained when the communication of the data with the data carrier is bidirectional, that is to say when data can be written to the data carrier as well. although read on the data carrier in the vehicle as well as in the remote station of the vehicle. In particular in the improvement of the vehicle monitoring device according to the invention, cited above, which creates an electronic key table and with the aforementioned characteristic relating to the accumulator, great advantages are also obtained in unidirectional data traffic. when, for example, only new data is written to the data medium serving as a key in the data communication station of the key table and this data is written to the on-board computer in the arranged data communication device permanently in the

vehicle.

  The embodiment of the monitoring device, described above, in which the data communication device remote from the vehicle comprises an electronic access control device, the data communication device secured to the vehicle comprises an electronic control device access and the access control device comprises a sensor for the acquisition of biometric data, and in which the data carrier can receive personal data and additional data, the additional data being exclusively entered in response to a positive comparison of the personal data stored on the data medium with those entered by a person in the data communication device permanently installed in the vehicle, or with personal data entered by the data medium in a vehicle computer, characteristics which can be direct implemented for the protection of the vehicle against theft, is also advantageous when it is oriented exclusively towards the unidirectional transmission of data, in particular from an external data station to the vehicle via the

data carrier.

  The invention is described below with reference to schematic drawings, by way of example and with new details. In these drawings: FIG. 1 shows the basic construction of the vehicle monitoring device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows an example of a vehicle monitoring device secured to the vehicle, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device in its application to vehicle fleets, FIG. 4 shows the device in its application, for example in the rental of vehicles, FIG. 5 shows the construction of the device with a data writing / reading station in the form of an "electronic key table", FIG. 6 represents a block diagram of a "telekey" (remote-controlled), FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an "electronic key table" and FIG. 8 shows the device with possibility

  entry of personal and / or biometric data.

  According to FIG. 1, a central constituent part of the vehicle monitoring device according to the invention is constituted by a data carrier 2 provided with a data memory, for example an electronic key, hereinafter called remote control 4, or an electronic card,

hereinafter called calling card 6.

  To write and / or read data in the data carrier 2, a data communication device remote from vehicle A is used, such as a computer unit 8, for example, a personal computer or a desktop computer, which is equipped with guided software

by menu.

  Another data communication device B is located in a vehicle 10 and is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. It comprises a control unit 12 which is advantageously equipped with a display 14 and which is connected to an on-board computer 16. A data recording / reading device for data communication, comprising, for example the remote control 4, is located in a contact lock 18. To the on-board computer 16 can optionally be connected a transmission / reception unit 20 which is

connected to an antenna 22.

  The double arrows in Fig. 1 each represents a data communication. As can be seen, the computer unit 8 can receive data from a central station 24 and send it there, in which case it can be used for data transfer, for example the Internet network, with access by means of a modem, an operator or even an electronic mail installation or a mobile telephone equipped with a data service. The plant can be, for example, an automobile manufacturer, a garage, a workshop or the power stations or offices of vehicle rental companies, vehicle sharing organizations, vehicle fleets in industry and commerce, companies providing services or also a public administration. Communication between A and B takes place

  "materially" by transporting the data carrier.

  The electronic components contained in the aforementioned units are known per se under the aspect of construction and operation and will not be described

therefore not in detail.

  The kinds of data that are communicated can be of extremely diverse natures, for example they can be used for administration, be used for service information, contain information about service provision, authorization or inhibition orders for vehicle functions, for example also for anti-theft protection, or contain vehicle devices, be used for fleet management or contain software upgrades or updates

software day.

  The data which is transmitted from the central unit 24 or which is entered into the computer unit 8 can be, for example, budget data such as the limitation of time or distance of the use of a vehicle or still the limitation of

possible starts.

  The usefulness of the device described lies mainly in the fact that we create an autonomous device which is independent of access providers (providers) and service providers, which does not generate additional monthly fees, is usable at scale. global, can be defined in its own right with regard to the standard used, thus allows the adoption of a single type order plan and can be used on all

vehicles.

  A budget can be selected freely and immediately, so that anti-theft and fraud protection is made possible and the vehicle can be sold from individual to individual in a simple and secure way since the data can

  be modified accordingly on the data medium.

  The data carriers or keys can be blocked individually. No additional telematic transmission and reception module is necessary. Finally, it becomes possible to negotiate premium reductions

with insurance.

  Using the device described, for example a compact journal can be edited on a printer connected to the vehicle's on-board computer or on a computer.

distant from the vehicle.

  FIG. 3 shows the use of the device according to the invention, by way of example in the case of companies of

vehicles rental.

  The central 24 is connected by radio to key automats 26 for the production of remote control and / or calling cards. Each key controller 26 comprises a control panel 28, preferably provided with a display and data carrier readers 30, into which a data carrier can be inserted, such as a remote control or a calling card. Each data carrier reader 30 is provided with a bidirectional communication device which can be individually controlled in such a way that a data communication with the data carriers 4 or 6 can occur selectively.

  can be found in the data carrier reader 30.

  For example, a customer can choose on the control panel 28 whether he wants to rent the vehicle with or without service or whether he wants to rent certain vehicle functions at the same time such as an audio device, a video device, a television. , a navigation device, a mobile phone, etc. with the vehicle, if he requests a peaceful driving discount or how the receipt and invoice and payment should be made. In the display of the control panel, or on a display of the data carriers, the vehicle concerned is identified, for example, by its number and it is then accessible to the driver. It goes without saying that each key or each data medium is provided with a code which corresponds individually to the vehicle and corresponds to a code stored in the vehicle, so that only one vehicle is accessible with a data medium. It goes without saying that it is possible to make keys of a higher rank which make it possible

  access to several vehicles or to all vehicles.

  Thanks to the fact that vehicle data is entered into the key automata using the data medium and that these automata are communicated with the central unit, the central unit has at all times site supervision and the maintenance status of all vehicles and it can use all available data, for example, for business management purposes or to

other statistical purposes.

  FIG. 4 shows a key automaton 26 of the device of FIG. 3 with an enlarged view of the display 32 equipped, for example, with menu-guided software. On the display 32, it is possible to carry out a route programming, in which one can take into account the current traffic data, which are introduced from the control unit 24. For example, one can experiment with different routes to make a comparison of time or consumption and check whether the fuel of the vehicle concerned is still sufficient. It is also possible to interrogate the maintenance conditions beforehand to find out whether the vehicle can cover the planned route without maintenance. It goes without saying that the key automaton 26 can be provided with an editing unit in which, after the reinsertion of the data medium in a data medium reader 30, it is possible to immediately edit the invoice, which can be

  set immediately on the key controller 26.

  FIG. 5 shows an improvement of the device described so far, in which the same reference signs are used as so far for the same

functional elements.

  In this embodiment, the computer unit 8 remote from the vehicle is connected by a line to a radio transmission / reception unit 34 via the antenna 36 from which it is possible to transmit and on which it is possible to receive. There is also provided an access control device 38 which works, by means of a digital sensor intended to feel a fingerprint profile, the entry of a personal PIN code or a main key 40 special, accessible to a single person, or from a main card or similar. In the access control device 38, data relating to the person or the user are entered in a known manner into the ground (in the case of the main key, the coding of this key represents the data relating to the the user, and they are compared with stored data. It is only in the case of a positive comparison that the access control device 40 releases the computer unit 8 or the transmission unit / reception 34, in such a way that a data exchange can take place between data stored in a memory of the computer unit 8 and the data transmitted or received via the antenna 36. It will it goes without saying that the access control device 38 can also be integrated by software into the computer unit 8, for example in the form of a special code word which must be entered. with the transmit / receive unit 34 and with the access control unit s 38, a station remote from the vehicle, or a data communication device A which can be a fixed station or, if necessary, can also be housed in a mobile manner in another vehicle. The vehicle 10 is equipped in the same way as in FIG. 2 and it presents the transmission / reception unit 20

  (Figure 2) which is connected to the antenna 22.

  The device also comprises a data writing / reading station 42 comprising a radio transmitter / receiver (not shown) which cooperates with an antenna 44. The radio transmitter / receiver of the station 42 is connected by an interface to a memory (not shown) which is in turn connected to a data writing / reading unit, which is not further illustrated, with which data can be read from the data medium, for example from remote control 4 or from remote control 6 or be written on this medium when this remote key or calling card is in a data medium reader 46 of the station 42. The communication of the data between the memory of the data medium and the station 42 can be carried out in any known manner per se, for example by wire, capacitive, inductive, or by infrared. The remote control 4 which can be provided with its own display (not shown) and other devices, contains, for its electrical supply, an accumulator 48 which is automatically recharged by a charging device integrated in the reader of the medium.

data 46.

  FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the remote control 4. The remote control 4 has a processor 41 provided with an internal memory 42 which is advantageously constituted by an EEPROM. If the memory capacity of the internal memory 42 is insufficient, another memory 43 is also provided, which is also constituted by an EEPROM. For data communication, an infrared interface 44 is used. Furthermore, the remote control has a tone generator 45 and it includes a display 46, as well as a real time clock 47-. The accumulator

  48 is used for power supply.

  In the internal memory 42 are stored, for example, fingerprint data, with the corresponding use profile, of the person concerned, as well as with the budget and other traditional key functions, for example for release an immobilizer lock. In the external memory 43 are stored, for example, checklist data, data for a diagnostic protocol, for the execution of a condensed logbook, as well as other profiles. The tone generator 45 signals the functions of the remote control, for example the completion of the recording or reading of data. With the aid of display 46, the driver can be immediately informed of the stored data which may be indicated together with the date and time. We have omitted to represent an actuation key for activating specific activities or for calling

certain functions.

  FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a data writing / reading station 42, or of the key table

electronic.

  There is provided, in position adjacent to the data carrier reader 46, an infrared interface 421 for data communication with the infrared interface 44 (FIG. 6) of the data carrier. There is also provided, in position adjacent to the data carrier reader 46, a charging interface 422 intended to charge the accumulator 48 (FIG. 6) and which is connected

to a charging circuit 423.

  For the control of the whole of the table of keys 42, a processor 423 is used provided with an internal memory 424 and, if necessary, to increase the capacity, an external memory 425 which can both be constituted preferably by EEPROMs . The antenna 44 is connected to the processor 423 via a radio transmitter / receiver 426. It is further provided for signaling a tone generator 427 and a display 428. A real time clock is designated by

429.

  In the internal memory 424 are provided, for example, fingerprints with the corresponding budgets as well as the authorization for the automatic reloading of the budget. The external memory 425 contains, for example modification data for blocking certain vehicle functions or diagnostic data. The tone generator 427 signals for example the insertion of a remote control in the data medium reader 46, or the full charge of the accumulator. The display 428 can indicate, for example, the current state of charge as well as the date and time, etc. The construction and operation of the aforementioned components are known per se, so that only their cooperation will be explained by referring again to the

figure 5.

  After having crossed the access control device 38, an authorized person can enter data by means of the keyboard of the computer unit 8 to store it on the data medium 4 or 6. Here, it may be , for example, kinds of data such as budget or stored function data, for example data for seat adjustment, mirror adjustment, adaptation of the installation of

air conditioning, etc.

  This data can be stored directly on the data medium 4 or 6, which is connected to a corresponding interface, provided directly on the computer unit 8, or else the data can be stored in a memory of the data processing unit. computer 8 and be transmitted to the data writing / reading station 42 as soon as the data medium is inserted into the data medium reader 46. The data can also be sent directly to the station 42 and, there, temporarily stored until they are automatically stored in the inserted data medium 4 or 6. It goes without saying that station 42 can also be

  directly on the computer unit 8.

  If the vehicle is then put into service with the data carrier, possibly after having passed an access control device therein, the data are read and stored in the on-board computer 16 to control the control devices. correspondents according to the stored data. It goes without saying that, when constituted by a calling card 6, the data medium does not necessarily have to be inserted into a slot but that it can be read by a device

  transmission / reception provided in the vehicle.

  Each time the data medium is inserted into the data medium reader 46 of the station 42, the data which are on this medium and which are written to the vehicle are read and / or new data are written, and the storage medium is recharged if it is powered by an accumulator. Station 42 thus represents an "electronic key table" in which the data medium is stored and a data communication then takes place. In the case of the management of a fleet of vehicles, the key automats 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4) can consist of tables of electronic keys, in which the data communication takes place and the accumulator

is automatically reloaded.

  As the transmission channel for the radio link between the vehicle 22 and the data recording / reading station 42, as well as between the station 42 and the radio transmission / reception unit 34, the carrier frequency of 433.92 MHz usual in Europe or

that of 315 MHz in the USA.

  The tasks of the data recording / reading station 42, which is arranged, for example, at a vehicle owner, at the office of a vehicle fleet administration, etc., advantageously also include automatic budgeting: When, for example, the owner of the vehicle (master-user) sets the device on automatic budgeting by means of the computer unit 8, in a data communication between the data medium and the station 42, the budget stored on the data carrier is automatically loaded. Regarding the choice of budget, the owner of the vehicle has all the liberties. Naturally, it can deactivate automatic budgeting, so that an exhausted budget must be reloaded immediately on the computer unit or

  still, it can completely forgo budgeting.

  Budgeting can also be protected by another access control. The device is advantageously designed so that, when the budget is exhausted, that is to say before the data carrier communicates with the station 42 and when the use of the vehicle is blocked, the owner of the vehicle himself must top up the budget, for example by

  through the computer unit 8.

  It goes without saying that the vehicle owner can also authorize other people (secondary users) to access and use the vehicle. In this case, personal data of the secondary user is stored in the memory of the data medium by the owner. The rights that the owner grants to the secondary user remain at

his free choice.

  The radio transmit / receive unit 34 can be in the form of a plug-in personal computer card with an external antenna, and it can be

  integrated in the computer unit 8.

  By means of the access control device 38, one can learn other fingerprints, a main fingerprint can be redefined, for example, on the occasion of the sale of the vehicle, fingerprints of secondary users can be erased, etc. The access control device can also consist of a plug-in personal computer card with an external fingerprint sensor, the possibility of entering a personal PIN code or a lock for a main key or a slot for a main card as well as by

a touch screen, as a variant.

  Device B permanently installed in the vehicle, which includes the on-board computer 16 (FIG. 2), possibly equipped with a fingerprint sensor, a possibility of entering a personal PIN code or a reader for a main key or a main card fitted with a data recording / reading device, the transmission / reception unit 20 as well as possibly an on-board printer can, after authentication of the user, the usual way for entering data on the on-board computer, for loading the data carrier and for reading data

of the data carrier.

  The transmission range of the antenna 22 of the vehicle 10 is for example around 300 m. If the vehicle is in the vicinity of the data read / write station 42 (for example in a garage), property entrance, etc., the budget can be automatically recharged by radio and it is possible to transmit other data by radio. Here, the device is constructed so that an automatic recharging of the budget is only possible when the vehicle is at a distance from the station which is within the emission range of its antenna, so that the authorization can be controlled . Alternatively, the device can also be constructed in such a way that a fingerprint check takes place in the vehicle and then the budget concerned (nature, value, etc.) is established by means of the board computer. After several fingerprints, the budget is running out. If the data carrier is at this time inserted in station 42, for example, at home, an automatic recharging of the budget occurs when there is radio contact between the vehicle and station 42. If the vehicle is moves away from the proximity zone in the absence of authorization, that is to say in the absence of defined identification, for example of a fingerprint, the budget stored in the vehicle is automatically erased. If, on the contrary, the radio link between the vehicle 10 and the station 42 is interrupted involuntarily, the budget can again be brought back to a state which allows the continuation of the use of the vehicle by the owner or if this is desirable, by a secondary user, after

  identification of biometric data in the vehicle.

  Here too, the owner checks on the computer unit 8 or on the on-board computer 16 whether

  the last-mentioned functions are activated.

  Figure 8 shows details of an embodiment of the device which is distinguished by a particularly high protection against use.

not allowed.

  The reference signs used for groups with the same functions are also used here in the same way

than the previous ones.

  In the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 8, the control panel 28 of the key controller 26 is constructed so that one can enter personal data, for example biometric data. Similarly, the computer unit 8 can be equipped with an introduction unit 50 for

  acquisition and introduction of biometric data.

  A person, for example, a car tenant, whose personal data has been entered via the control panel 28 and who has taken, in the key controller 26, the data medium 2 suitably programmed, enters dialogue with a data communication device 54 of the vehicle which includes the on-board computer 16 equipped with a display 56, a keyboard 58 and / or rotary switches 60. The on-board computer 16 is connected by means of an interface 62 to a biometric sensor 54, to a connection 66 and / or to a slot 68 for the insertion of the data medium. A printer 72 can be connected by

  through another interface 70.

  There are several possibilities for entering personal data, which can be present individually or in combination. For example, biometric data, for example in the form of an eye record 74 or a fingerprint 76, can be stored by the biometric sensor 64. Personal data can also be obtained by reading a main key 78 or a main card which is allocated exclusively to a person

authorized.

  Furthermore, it is possible to manually enter a personal PIN code 82 or to enter it via the connection 66, by means of a mobile telephone keypad, or even by the fact that the display 56 is constituted by a touch screen, via the keyboard 58 or by a corresponding actuation of the rotary switches 60. It goes without saying that a voice input is also possible, by means of a

microphone not shown.

  The control panel 28 of the key controller 26 or the input unit 50 of the computer unit 8

  may allow the same entry possibilities.

  Some of the input units of the data communication device 54 integral with the vehicle can

  be accessible from outside the vehicle.

  The course of operation in the use of the

device is as follows.

  Data is transmitted from the central unit 24 to the key controller 26 or to the computer unit 8, which form the data communication devices for the data medium 2. In the key controller 26, the data, which are provided with the codes associated with the different data carriers 2, are transferred to these. It goes without saying that the data contained in the computer unit 8 can be directly entered via the input keyboard. In addition, the personal data which are entered either directly by the person or which are entered in the form of biometric data or which are already stored in the central unit and which are stored are transferred to the data carriers.

sent with the data.

  The person 52 who is in possession of the key assigned to him then enters into dialogue with the data communication device 54 of the vehicle, this can already be done outside the vehicle. After entering and acquiring personal data, the on-board computer 16 reads the personal data from the data medium 2. After positive comparison of the personal data entered by the person and stored on the data medium, the reading of other data stored on the data medium 2 is released, so that the vehicle can be driven in accordance with the stored data. During the use of the vehicle, or after the end of the use, data from the vehicle can be read from the data medium 2 and, when the person has left the vehicle and has delivered the data medium to the controller at key, this data is read and is available for further processing in the device. It goes without saying that we can use special software, guided by menu, which renders the different processes

  easy to understand and convenient for the user.

  Unlike traditional electronic immobilizers, in which the operation of the vehicle is released by comparison of personal data entered with personal data stored in the vehicle, or even with personal data stored on a key, in the embodiment of the device which has been described above, only the complete operation of the data carrier is initially released, that is to say the reading of the other data which are on the data carrier, for example, data release of the vehicle or

budget data.

  The usefulness of the device described above for the client consists in summary of the following: The device is autonomous and can be used independently of access providers and service providers. We don't have to pay any additional monthly fees. It can be implemented globally and globally. The standard can be defined independently and allows a single mode operation of all the vehicles included in the device. No

  additional transmission channel is not required.

  There is great freedom in budgeting. It can be selected immediately and individually. We have high protection against theft since the stolen vehicle spontaneously becomes unfit for operation at the latest with the exhaustion of the budget. There is protection against theft with the original key, protection when the vehicle key is

  lost, protection against insurance scam.

  It is possible to ensure the security of the sale from individual to individual. Individual keys can be locked and there is no need to lock the entire vehicle. With insurance, the device benefits from a privileged treatment which allows

  possibly reduce premiums.

  The device accepts various modification functions. It is possible to block certain devices and vehicle functions and to rent or lease them separately. The possibility of limiting certain functions of the vehicle opens protection against improper use of the vehicle and a

  driver and vehicle protection.

  There are many possibilities for diagnostic functions. Important information can be displayed in the data carrier display. After-sales service, TUV and exhaust data can be prepared automatically. The state of care and maintenance of the vehicle can be checked and demonstrated in a simple way. In the vehicle, it is easy to carry out an automatic fault finding, for example, the need for a check can be detected. Driver and vehicle

can be protected.

  The device allows the automatic keeping of a log book, which is advantageous as a supporting document for the taxman and, for example, for the employer when entering times and calculating wages. For the vehicle rental company and for the vehicle fleets, such logbooks form the basis of statistics. They also allow the simple establishment of invoices and collection on site, as well as the optimization of the use of the vehicle in the case of

vehicle fleets.

Claims (14)

  1. Electronic vehicle monitoring device, characterized in that it comprises at least one transportable data medium (2), in particular a vehicle operating part (4, 6) provided with a data memory, at at least one data communication device (B) permanently installed in the vehicle comprising an on-board computer (16) for controlling and acquiring vehicle functions and a data storage / extraction device for bidirectional data communication with the data carrier and at least one data communication device (A) remote from the vehicle, comprising a data input / output device for bidirectional data communication with the data carrier, the operation of the vehicle being able to be controlled in accordance with data loaded on the data medium by means of the data communication device integral with the vehicle and the char data managed by means of the data communication device integral with the   vehicle that can be read on the data carrier.   2. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a data writing / reading station (42) provided with a data carrier reader (46) for at least a data carrier (4, 6) in which the data automatically entered into the data carrier by the data communication device (A) remote from the vehicle and / or from which the data stored therein are written, and stored there in the data communication device   (B) permanently installed in the vehicle.   3. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that the data medium (4) comprises an accumulator (48) and the data recording / reading station (42) comprises   a charging device for recharging the accumulator.   4. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that the data communication device (A) remote from the vehicle is linked by radio to the data recording / reading station (42). 5. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that the data recording / reading station (42) is   connected to the vehicle (10) by radio.   6. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 5, characterized in that a budget stored in the vehicle (10) is set to zero when the data recording / reading station (42)   leaves the range area of the vehicle transmitter.   7. Electronic monitoring device   vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the data communication device (A) remote from the vehicle comprises a device   access control electronics (38).   8. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the data communication device (B) permanently installed in the vehicle comprises a   electronic access control device.   9. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the access control device comprises a   sensor (64) for the acquisition of biometric data.   10. Electronic vehicle monitoring device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the data carrier (2) can receive personal data and additional data, and the additional data are exclusively introduced in response to a positive comparison of the personal data stored on the data medium with those entered by a person in the data communication device (B) permanently installed in the vehicle, or with personal data entered by the   data carrier in a vehicle computer.   11. Electronic device for monitoring   vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to   10, characterized in that a data communication station (26) remote from the vehicle has several data storage readers (30) each intended to receive a data storage medium (2) and the data can be selectively stored on the storage medium data or to be read there.   12. Electronic monitoring device   vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to   11, characterized in that the data carrier has   a display for displaying the data contents.   13. Electronic device for monitoring   vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to   12, characterized in that the data contains information for budgeting the use of the vehicle. 14. Electronic device for monitoring   vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to   12, characterized in that different phases of an authorization for use are associated with different personal data.