GB2075681A

GB2075681A - Data handling system

Info

Publication number: GB2075681A
Application number: GB8014939A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TACHODISC Ltd
Current assignee: TACHODISC Ltd
Priority date: 1980-05-03
Filing date: 1980-05-03
Publication date: 1981-11-18

Abstract

A tachograph disc data handling system comprises a first store (10) e.g. a plurality of containers whence blank discs can be drawn in transportation means (12) e.g. an envelope, a processing unit (14) wherein used disc from a vehicle (13) can be processed, a data analyser (17) e.g. a printed sheet whence data can be transferred from the transportation means (12) and a second store (19) e.g. a stack of containers wherein the transportation means containing processed discs can be stored. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Data handling system This invention relates to a data handling system for tachograph discs and it is an object of the present invention to provide such a system which enables a fleet operator to handle such data efficiently and store it for retrieval and inspection when required.

Accordingly the invention provides a tachograph disc data handling system comprising; a first store for blank discs; transportation means dimensioned to contain a limited number of the discs and marked to permit the recordal of the contents of the said discs, after being used, on an easily-visible external surface thereof; a second store dimensioned to receive a plurality of said transportation means containing said discs and also externally marked to permit the recordal of details of said plurality of containers; and analysis means enabling the data on said transportation means to be recorded and analysed.

The discs can be serialised and the first store can comprise a plurality of containers each containing one series of discs.

Preferably the transportation means can be sealed after insertion of the used discs and after recordal of their contents on its external surface.

Conveniently said external surface has a table printed thereon having rows marked by day or date and columns relating to information taken form the discs.

Advantageously the second store comprises a plurality of identical containers each dimensioned to receive a plurality of the transportation means, and each carrying a table enabling the contents to be ascertained without opening the container and indicating that the data processing is up-to-date.

Desirably the analysis means comprises a sheet bearing a table capable of receiving for recordal the information on the transportation means.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompany drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred system of the invention; Figure 2 shows a tachograph disc with which the invention can be used; Figure 3 shows a table on transportation means of the system; and Figure 4 shows a table in analysis means of the invention.

A preferred data handling system of the invention has a first store 10 which can comprise a plurality of containers (not shown) each containing a plurality of tachograph discs 11 (Fig. 2) which can be serialised, that is marked with successive serial numbers or other markings. From the first store a plurality, say ten, discs 11 can be placed in transportation means 12, which conveniently is an envelope or similar article, and handed to a driver who takes them to his vehicle 1 3 and inserts one disc in his vehicle each working day. The transportation means 1 2 with discs 11 can be contained in a personalised wallet along with other documentation such as a vehicle defect log.At the end of the week the used discs 11, together with the unused discs 11 are returned in the transportation means 1 2 to a central processing unit 14 which also controls the issuance of blank discs 11 from store 10 as indicated by arrows 15. The transportation means 1 2 has a table 1 6 on its outside (Fig. 3) wherein can be recorded the contents of each used disc 11, for example by use of a disc reader as described in our copending No. 8014957 filed herewith. In the central processor the transportation means 1 2 can also be passed to an analysis unit 1 7 wherein the contents of the tables 1 6 can be transferred to analysis means such as 1 8 (Fig.

4) which enable accurate and retrievable records to be kept.

Thence the transportation means 1 2 and used discs 11 (the transportation means 1 2 now being sealed against unauthorised entry to prevent tampering with the data) are transported to a second store 19. The store 1 9 comprises a plurality of individual complementary and stackable containers dimensioned to receive a predetermined number of transportation means 12, for example one year's supply for each driver, and each container has a table on an easily visible outer surface thereof enabling a record to be kept of the compilation of each driver's record and a check on whether it is up-to-date.

The system can also include further data handling equipment, such as instructions and directions to drivers resulting from the analysis of the data and records for input of data from further material received from the driver.

The central processing unit can be an electronic device including automatic read-in and print out, enabling the analysis means and the second store to be memories of tape, disc or other form, thus reducing their size in a large organisation. It is important that there is correspondence between these discs issued from the first store and a particular driver and the material and information recorded in the analysis means and the second store. An electronic device could include a facility for checking this correspondence.

1. A tachograph disc data handling system comprising: a first store for blank discs; transportation means dimensioned to contain a limited number of the discs and marked to permit the recordal of the contents of the said discs, after being used, on an easily visible external surface thereof; a second store dimensioned to receive a plurality of said trans

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Data handling system This invention relates to a data handling system for tachograph discs and it is an object of the present invention to provide such a system which enables a fleet operator to handle such data efficiently and store it for retrieval and inspection when required. Accordingly the invention provides a tachograph disc data handling system comprising; a first store for blank discs; transportation means dimensioned to contain a limited number of the discs and marked to permit the recordal of the contents of the said discs, after being used, on an easily-visible external surface thereof; a second store dimensioned to receive a plurality of said transportation means containing said discs and also externally marked to permit the recordal of details of said plurality of containers; and analysis means enabling the data on said transportation means to be recorded and analysed. The discs can be serialised and the first store can comprise a plurality of containers each containing one series of discs. Preferably the transportation means can be sealed after insertion of the used discs and after recordal of their contents on its external surface. Conveniently said external surface has a table printed thereon having rows marked by day or date and columns relating to information taken form the discs. Advantageously the second store comprises a plurality of identical containers each dimensioned to receive a plurality of the transportation means, and each carrying a table enabling the contents to be ascertained without opening the container and indicating that the data processing is up-to-date. Desirably the analysis means comprises a sheet bearing a table capable of receiving for recordal the information on the transportation means. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompany drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred system of the invention; Figure 2 shows a tachograph disc with which the invention can be used; Figure 3 shows a table on transportation means of the system; and Figure 4 shows a table in analysis means of the invention. A preferred data handling system of the invention has a first store 10 which can comprise a plurality of containers (not shown) each containing a plurality of tachograph discs 11 (Fig. 2) which can be serialised, that is marked with successive serial numbers or other markings. From the first store a plurality, say ten, discs 11 can be placed in transportation means 12, which conveniently is an envelope or similar article, and handed to a driver who takes them to his vehicle 1 3 and inserts one disc in his vehicle each working day. The transportation means 1 2 with discs 11 can be contained in a personalised wallet along with other documentation such as a vehicle defect log.At the end of the week the used discs 11, together with the unused discs 11 are returned in the transportation means 1 2 to a central processing unit 14 which also controls the issuance of blank discs 11 from store 10 as indicated by arrows 15. The transportation means 1 2 has a table 1 6 on its outside (Fig. 3) wherein can be recorded the contents of each used disc 11, for example by use of a disc reader as described in our copending No. 8014957 filed herewith. In the central processor the transportation means 1 2 can also be passed to an analysis unit 1 7 wherein the contents of the tables 1 6 can be transferred to analysis means such as 1 8 (Fig. 4) which enable accurate and retrievable records to be kept. Thence the transportation means 1 2 and used discs 11 (the transportation means 1 2 now being sealed against unauthorised entry to prevent tampering with the data) are transported to a second store 19. The store 1 9 comprises a plurality of individual complementary and stackable containers dimensioned to receive a predetermined number of transportation means 12, for example one year's supply for each driver, and each container has a table on an easily visible outer surface thereof enabling a record to be kept of the compilation of each driver's record and a check on whether it is up-to-date. The system can also include further data handling equipment, such as instructions and directions to drivers resulting from the analysis of the data and records for input of data from further material received from the driver. The central processing unit can be an electronic device including automatic read-in and print out, enabling the analysis means and the second store to be memories of tape, disc or other form, thus reducing their size in a large organisation. It is important that there is correspondence between these discs issued from the first store and a particular driver and the material and information recorded in the analysis means and the second store. An electronic device could include a facility for checking this correspondence. CLAIMS

1. A tachograph disc data handling system comprising: a first store for blank discs; transportation means dimensioned to contain a limited number of the discs and marked to permit the recordal of the contents of the said discs, after being used, on an easily visible external surface thereof; a second store dimensioned to receive a plurality of said trans portation means containing said discs and also externally marked to permit the recordal of details of said plurality of containers; and analysis means enabling the data on said transportation means to be recorded and analysed.

2. A system as claimed in CLAIM 1, wherein the discs are serialised.

3. A system as claimed in CLAIM 2, wherein the first store comprises a plurality of containers each containing one series of discs.

4. A system as claimed in CLAIM 1. 2 or 3 wherein the transportation means can be sealed after insertion of the used discs and after recordal of their contents on its external surface.

5. A system as claimed in CLAIM 4, wherein said external surface has a table printed thereon having rows marked by day or date and columns relating to information taken from the discs.

6. A system as claimed in CLAIM 5, wherein said table relates to one week's driving by one driver.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second store comprises a plurality of identical containers each dimensioned to receive a plurality of the transportation means and each carrying a table enabling the contents to be ascertained without opening the container and indicating that the data processing is up-to-date.

8. A system as claimed in CLAIM 7, wherein each of said identical containers is a box.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the analysis means comprises a sheet bearing a table capable of receiving for recordal the information on the transportation means.

10. A system as claimed in CLAIM 9 and including a plurality of such sheets bound together.

11. A tachograph disc data handling system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.