GB2107907A

GB2107907A - Reading and processing tachograph disks

Info

Publication number: GB2107907A
Application number: GB08225824A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michel Pierre Antoine Strausz
Original assignee: TRADIGRAF SARL
Current assignee: TRADIGRAF SARL
Priority date: 1981-09-11
Filing date: 1982-09-10
Publication date: 1983-05-05
Also published as: GB2107907B; ES515583A0; IT1193097B; CH648942A5; FR2512991B1; PT75542B; IT8285609A0; NL8203508A; ES8306541A1; DE3233442A1; PT75542A; FR2512991A1; BE894280A; GR77650B

Abstract

The system comprises a microcomputer provided with a keyboard, a video screen, a printer, a mass memory and a digitizing table, the latter having a disk centering device (8) accurately positioning a disk (D) to be controlled and a pivot for a reading strip (9) (including magnifying glass (11)), whose free end carries the digitizing pen (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION System for reading and processing lorry tachograph disks The present invention relates to a system for reading and processing lorry tachograph disks.

At present, lorry tachograph disks, i.e. the disks on which an instrument records the various operating parameters of a lorry, such as speed, braking, operating times, stopping times, etc are processed manually. This means that the person having to process such a disk uses a rule for tracking the different points of curves and obtaining from them the corresponding calculations (calcuiation of stoppage times, overtime, steadiness of speed, etc).

However, this determination is relatively approximate, because the control disk of any random type has in its centre an orifice, which may or may not be a circular orifice for receiving the centering member of the disk in its recording instrument. However, this absence of centre does not make it possible to accurately position the strip and which is used for reading the points on the graph.

The present invention is directed at obviating these disadvantages and proposes a system for reading and processing information contained on a tachograph recording disk making it possible to read the disk, no matter what the type or size thereof, or the configuration of its feed hole, etc, thereby facilitating an accurate reading of the different recording parameters, both by an accurate making of the points and by an accurate reading of the thus marked data for their recording in the memory of the system and their processing in calculations.

To this end, the invention relates to an apparatus formed by a microcomputer provided with a keyboard, a video screen, a printer, a mass memory and a digitizing table, the latter having a disk centering device positioning a disk to be checked in an accurate position and a pivot for a reading strip, whose free end carries the digitizing pen.

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to the drawings, wherein show: Fig. 1 an overall diagram of the installation.

Fig. 2 a plan view of the digitizing table forming part of the installation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 a part sectional side view of the digitizing table.

Fig. 4 a plan view of a digitizing table strip according to the invention.

According to Fig. 1, the installation for the acquisition of data from a tachograph disk or sheet, is formed by a MPU microcomputer 1, connected to a keyboard 2, a video screen 3, a printer 4 and a mass memory, e.g. a disk means 5.

The microcomputer is also connected to a digitizing table.

The processing program contained in the microcomputer is used for receiving and processing data relating to a horographic control disk, no matter what the dimensions of the latter.

The system permits the introduction of information such as the name of the driver, the date of the disk, the number of the vehicle and the kilometre readings at the start and finish of the journey. This information is introduced by the keyboard.

The road journey data are read on the tachograph disk by means of a digitizing table 6.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a digitizing table 6 covered with a sheet 7 of transparent material, protecting the base of the table and carrying the support 8 for receiving the centre of the disk to be read. Support 8 also carries the pivot, not shown in the drawing, for receiving the reading strip 9.

Fig. 3 shows in a more detailed manner the arrangement of the disk and the reading strip. It is possible to see sheet 7 made from a transparent material, e.g. plexiglass, which carries a projecting member constituting the disk centering device 8.

The disk is shown fitted onto centering device 8.

Centering device 8 also carries a pivot 10 for strip 9, which is provided with an opening fitting onto pivot 10. Over a length corresponding to the largest radius of the disk to be read, strip 8 has a magnifying glass 11. At the free end, i.e. opposite to that fitted on pivot 10, the strip has a hole 12 for receiving the digitizing pen 13, as well as a rod 14 forming a support. The second support for strip 9 is provided by the shoulder between pivot 10 and disk centering device 8. The strip 9 can thus bear on two points, so as to remain parallel to the plane of the digitizing table or sheet 7.

Fig. 4 shows in a more detailed manner, the shape of strip 9 and particularly the marks 1 5 carried by the magnifying glass 11.

Finally, this drawing shows in dotted line form centering device 8, in order to illustrate the special form thereof. Thus, the centering device is oval, corresponding to the central hole in the disk, in order to lock the latter in rotation.

The device described hereinbefore disregards dimensions and shapes of disks. Thus, in order to be able to use the disk, vehicle number, start and finish kilometre readings, by using the keyboard the operator performs the readings on the disk by noting, with the aid of the digitizing pen, the special points to be stored. For this purpose, his work is facilitated by magnifying glass 11 enabling him to see the sometimes irregular and difficultly readable line made by the needle of the tachograph on the disk.

This operating procedure makes it possible to increase the reading sensitivity on the one hand due to magnifying glass 11, and on the other because the displacement radius of the digitizing pen is much greater than the radius of the path plotted on the disk.

Thus, the accuracy of the reading is greatly improved, whilst disregarding the disk shape, in order to permit a very considerable automation of the reading carried out by unqualified persons.

Claims

1. A system for reading and processing tachograph disks for road vehicles, wherein it comprises a microcomputer, provided with a keyboard, a video screen, a printer, a mass memory and a digitizing table, the latter having a disk centering device positioning the disk to be controlled in a precise position and a pivot for a reading strip, whose free end carries the digitizing pen.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the strip has an orifice for fitting the strip on its pivot, an elongated magnifying glass essentially covering the displacement range of the recording curve on the disk, an orifice for fitting the digitizing pen and a support for the free end of the strip.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the magnifying glass of the strip carries etched range markings.