GB2244582A - Vehicle usage monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle usage monitor system includes a microprocessor 15 with associated ROM 17 and RAM 18. Vehicle use is inhibited unless a memory card 30, which houses a RAM and battery, is inserted into guide 31 and its presence is detected by buffer 35. A real time clock 19 generates time information and system interrupts to allow the periodical storage in the memory card 30 of time and date information via buffers 34, so that on removal of the card, it contains a record of vehicle usage by that card user. The memory card may be used at a fuel dispensing means to access fuel and the card may allow a user usage of a plurality of vehicles. <IMAGE>

Description

MONITOR SYSTEM The invention relates to a monitor system for installation in a vehicle to enable usage relating thereto to be monitored.

With organisations having large vehicle fleets there is a need to determine if vehicles are being used effectively. In the past, log sheets relating to vehicles have been used where drivers have to enter details relating to use. This is subject to inaccuracy due to failure to fill in the correct information. Also the handling of such resources is time consuming.

The invention is concerned with providing a system which automatically deals with usage relating to vehicles.

According to the invention, there is provided a vehicle usage monitor system including generator means for generating time information relating to periods for which the vehicle is used and removeable memory means for storing the time information relating to us age.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a circuit board with a number of components for providing an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the equivalent schematic diagram relating to the Figure 1 arrangement; and Figures 3 - 8 show various flow charts relating to system operation; and Figure 9 shows the memory card used to access a fuel filling station.

The Figure 1 configuration illustrates a circuit board 10 which would be installed within a housing (not shown) and mounted in a vehicle for which it is designated. The circuit board includes a voltage regulator 11 for receiving vehicle power (typically 12V) and reducing/regulating this to an appropriate level (eg 5V). A back up power supply 12 can be provided, typically including a small rechargeable battery charged by the vehicle voltage supply to provide system power in the event of vehicle power failure (eg on removal of the vehicle battery).

The system electronics includes a microprocessor 15 with associated crystal 16 providing system clocks.

Operational memory is provided by Read Only Memory (ROM) 17 (eg. type 2732) and Random Access Memory (RAM) 18 (eg. type 6116). A real time clock 19 provides information on the time of day, date etc. A memory card 30 is provided comprising a small plastic card with built in RAM and a battery. The card has one face terminating in a number of edge connectors and the card is received within a card guide 31. A lever 32 allows the card to be released from the card guide mechanism.

With the card inserted, the connectors thereon cooperate and connect with a connector strip 33 to bring the RAM card into circuit via card buffers 34.

A further buffer 35 is provided to detect the electrical connection of the card into circuit and to determine whether the vehicle ignition is switched on via a relay 38.

The system memory (eg ROM 17) is preprogrammed with the vehicle identification number to which it is fitted.

The memory card 30 is preprogrammed with the user identification number, different users each having a uniquely identifiable card to use on any available vehicle.

When a user wishes to make use of a vehicle he/she will insert the card 30 into the guide 31 and switch on the ignition and start up the vehicle.

The vehicle computer system will generate information on the time usage and continuously update this information onto the card so that when the vehicle is no longer required and the card removed by the user, the information on this use (and the vehicle) is now stored on his/her card. If the user makes use of another vehicle, then such use will also be stored on the card. Because of vehicle identification also being stored, the card data is sufficiently comprehensive to identify the different vehicles and the times used for that particular user.

If required, additional information on fuel consumption and speed/mileage can be determined from sensor information received at interface 36 as described below.

The way in which the system generates this time and other information is now described in more detail with reference to Figure 2.

The microprocessor 15 (eg 8 bit-type 6502) is connected to associated devices via the address and bidirectional data lines 47 and address bus 15 (for addresses A13-A15).

The crystal 16 provides system clocks in association with the generation circuit comprising resistors R1, R2 and inverters 41, 42.

Power for the microprocessor 15 is received via resistor R3 and capacitor C1. Read/write instructions are provided to the address/data line from the microprocessor (the inverse of Read being provided via inverter 45).

The address lines 48 are connectable to the various devices via 3 to 8 line decoder 40. The card and buffers are addressed via AND gate 46.

The real time clock chip (eg MC 1770) as well as generating the time, day, month and year also generates interrupts for the processor 15 and these pass to it, typically at 1 second intervals.

If card detect buffer 35 detects the presence of the card (as instructed by ROM 17 to the processor) then at the next interrupt the processor will cause the information stored in card 30 to be output into RAM 18 which operates as the system working memory.

The system will compare the data read from the card with current data to determine whether the stored data is for todays date and time and for the same vehicle and will modify the data to reflect current time/vehicle details and writes this back into the memory card 30. This is read, incremented and stored at the interrupt rate (eg 1 second intervals). Thus whenever the card is removed it will be up to date with information automatically, without the operator having to carry out any specific save routine.

The RAM card 30 is preformatted and presented to the system as though it were equivalent to other forms of storage (eg a disc), typically preprogrammed with the drivers name and his reference number and with (when empty of data) dummy files. The dummy files are searched by the microprocessor system and it uses one of these to enter the current date and vehicle information and sets pointers to designate minute locations for that file.

Interrupts ensure continuous updating of the stored record. Only the minutes part of the record in practice need updating, once the date information is stored.

The flowchart for this main routine is shown in Figure 3. As seen from this, if no card is present the high pointer is set to FF. If a card is present and a current record (for today and vehicle) then it is pointed to by setting appropriate memory locations.

The card presence routine is shown in more detail in Figure 4.

The setting of the real time clock is shown in the flow chart of Figure 5 and the transfer of the date information from binary to ASCII into RAM is shown in Figure 6 together with the vehicle information.

The routine to find the last record is shown in Figure 7. A zero indicates that such a record does not exist. The interrupt routine is shown in Figure 8 which is instigated via the real time clock every minute.

The user' s RAM card will retain the information because of the integral battery and can be interrogated at a central station periodically to download data for determining vehicle usage.

In addition to generating the information, the system can be expanded to include a distance sensor (eg in the speedometer cable) to generate pulses dependent on speed. This could be stored in the card as a pulse number and because of the information already stored will allow mileage information to be determined in addition to time usage information. The speed pulses could typically be stored by effecting an interrupt every time a pulse is received.

A fuel flow sensor will allow fuel flow information to be processed and stored on the card also so that fuel consumption could be computed, for example.

To reduce the component count and size, a single chip microprocessor could be employed.

Although the card has been described in terms of RAM storage, other suitable cards could employ an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). These are commonly known as 'smart cards'.

Because such cards only have a finite life as regards writing of data to store, the periods at which the data is automatically downloaded to the memory could be reduced to prolong the life of such cards.

In an extreme case the card could be updated only on plug in and ignition start up (ie at the start of each journey). Indeed because the stored information will be centrally processed later, it would be possible to download the details of the last journey time etc on insertion of the card at the start of the next journey. The disadvantage of restricted rewriting of the EEPROM (typically 10,000 times) is balanced by there being no need to use a battery with this type of memory chip.

Because the card has a number of useful stored parameters such as user identity and the used vehicle identity it could be used to plug into a petrol dispensing pump, for example on the garage site, so that when plugged into the system will allow user identity to be automatically read and petrol dispensed. Even if the user has the option of driving a number of vehicles, the current vehicle driven to the pump will be identified from the memory card.

Information on mileage and fuel consumption could be downloaded to the pump station, if desired. In addition time periods may be imposed for reading the filling station to assist in preventing fraudulent use of the pumps. Data on fuel type for the vehicle (eg leaded/unleaded or diesel), could also be stored to ensure automatic correct fuel selection at the pumps.

This will have been downloaded to the memory card from the ROM 17 of Figure 1. Without the card, no fuel would be dispensed. It would be possible to use the pump as the central access point to download all data regarding vehicle usage, thus avoiding the need for further processing of the card at some later date.

Modems or other suitable linkage could be employed to ensure passage of data to a central processing point, if desired.

Figure 9 shows a suitable arrangement and includes a single chip microprocessor/microcontroller 51. A card buffer 50 receives the card 30 to allow transfer to and from the system. On reading the user and vehicle identity the processor 51 will allow usage of the petrol pump 52 and make a note of the amount of fuel dispensed. Other vehicle usage parameters such as time of usage and mileage or fuel consumption can be downloaded as well. This information could be passed to a central processing station via modem 53 for example.

As the system in the vehicle is configured to require the presence of the card 30 before the ignition is operable (via relay 38 of Fig 1), this ensures the integrity of usage. The contacts in the card cooperate with the board contacts when inserted to prevent the system being fooled by insertion of objects other than the RAM card.

Additional cards used by service personnel can give a fuller picture of periods of non-use. Long periods of non-use (eg several days) where the vehicle is serviceable but not required (SNR), indicate serious under-utilisation of transport resources and allow cost savings to be achieved by reducing vehicle numbers in that area of the business.

The data can be downloaded at the depot using a card reader device, although as the cards are quite small eg 2. 5" X 1. 5" they could be posted to a central processing station, monthly, for example.

The card reader device can prepare cards by entering user name and numbers as well as reading cards carrying data. A PC or other computer will typically be used with suitable software to generate menus or other screen prompts.

Various Usage Statistics can be determined from the downloaded data. An example of the vehicle usage for a particular vehicle is shown in the table below.

The 'use' column shows the number of minutes the vehicles was detected as being used for.

VEHICLE USAGE VEHICLE DRIVER WEEK DAY USE 51231234 E. BARSON 16 4 71 51231234 E. BARSON 16 5 50 51231234 E. BARSON 17 1 130 93461234 K. BARKER 16 5 20 93461234 K. BARKER 16 6 45 93461234 K. BARKER 18 4 37 A larger number of parameters could be employed using the system described and on board the vehicle, the vehicle memory 18, or an additional non-volalite memory, could have the following aspects stored: a) The vehicle registration number.

b) Back-up log of the last few journeys.

c) Last maintenance date and service schedule code where applicable.

d) Total number of journeys completed by this vehicle.

e) Total distance travelled by this vehicle.

f) Total running time accumulated by this vehicle.

g) Engine/replacement/reconditioning list. A limit of five entries may be sufficient.

h) Starting mileage. This is to allow for installation in vehicles already in use.

A number of calculations are possible to determine vehicle usage by a particular user as follows dependant on fitted sensors (eg fuel flow and distance sensors): a) Current trip duration b) Current trip length c) Current trip average speed d) Current trip peak speed e) Current trip peak fuel flow f) Current trip average fuel flow g) Current trip total fuel used h) Current trip Job Number i) Total vehicle mileage j) Total vehicle running time k) Total journeys completed 1) Peak speed ever used, and the journey code m) Peak fuel rate and the journey code n) Average speed over life of vehicle It would be possible to download the back-up log with vehicle and user identity to more than one card (ie more than one user) and for a number of such journeys to be backed up to ensure that as a result of damage to an individual card, the data was still available from another submitted card.

The arrangement described above where the card has to be present before ignition can be utilised and also the automatic downloading of data without requiring manual entry of instructions or remembering passwords by the operator, ensures an easy to use configuration.

Claims (24)

1. A vehicle usage monitor system including generator means for generating time information relating to periods for which the vehicle is used, removable memory means for storing the time information relating to usage, means for inhibiting usage of the vehicle unless the removable memory means is located correctly in the vehicle system and means for automatically downloading information relating to vehicle usage when the memory means is correctly located in the vehicle.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the memory means for each user is configured to allow usage on a plurality of vehicles, the memory means receiving vehicle identification information with the vehicle usage information when located in the vehicle system.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the memory means includes a semiconductor memory circuit mounted on a card or the like with electrical connection thereon for receiving the output of the generator means.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 including means for generating a vehicle identification parameter to accompany the time information stored on the memory means.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the memory is configured to be preprogrammed with information identifying a particular user.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the generation means includes control means for automatically storing the time information on the memory means at periodic intervals prior to removal of the storage means, without instruction from the user, so that the stored information is automatically accurate to the period from the last update.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the memory means includes a RAM device within a housing and means for ensuring retention of stored data within said housing.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for ensuring retention of stored data comprises a power source within the housing.

9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the memory means includes a EEPROM with a nonvolatile memory capacity.

10. A system as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the generator means includes a microprocessor device for periodically accessing the memory means and for updating information stored therein.

11. A system as claimed in claim .10 including a real time clock generator for periodically generating interrupts for the microprocessor device to cause said microprocessor to carry out the periodic memory access.

12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein interface means are provided to determine the presence of the memory means to prevent operation of the vehicle ignition without the memory means being present.

13. A system as claimed in any proceeding claim including distance generation means for generating information relating to the distance travelled by the vehicle for inclusion with the time usage information to provide additional usage information for the memory means.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the distance generator means is configured to generate pulses at a rate dependent on vehicle speed.

15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein fuel usage information generation means are provided to provide fuel data so as to allow fuel usage data to be downloaded to the memory means.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein fuel flow detector means are provided to determine the rate of fuel flow for use by the generation means.

17. A system as claimed in any preceding claim including means for generating fuel type information for downloading to the memory means.

18. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the memory means is configured to store information as one of a plurality of files accessible by the generation means.

19. A system as claimed in any preceding. claim including remote means for reading the contents of the memory means to determine vehicle usage therefrom.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the remote means is configured to read the contents from a plurality of memory means to determine total vehicle usage from information derived from the memory means designated to a number of users.

21. A system as claimed in any preceding claim including interface means at a remote location cooperating with a fuel filling station and including control means for allow access to fuel at said station only on detection of the presence of said memory means.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21 including means for receiving information from said memory means indicative of fuel type and/or current mileage of the vehicle.

23. A vehicle usage monitory system including memory means for storing information relating to a particular vehicle or user and fuel dispensing means having control means therein for receiving the removable memor means so as to receive information stored therein to control the dispensing of fuel therefrom.

24. A vehicle usage monitor system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.