WO2004025576A1

WO2004025576A1 - Device for automatically evidencing and recording use of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2004025576A1
Application number: PCT/SI2003/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damjan Strucl; Marko Gerl
Original assignee: Logina Informacijske Tehnologije D.O.O.
Priority date: 2002-09-16
Filing date: 2003-09-10
Publication date: 2004-03-25
Also published as: AU2003259021A1; SI21329A

Abstract

The purpose of the invention is to create a device for automatic evidencing and recording use of a vehicle upon entrusting it to a legitimate user, so that the data, which are important for the owner, are automatically evidenced and recorded up to conclusion of the vehicle use and returning the vehicle. The device consists of a mobile assembly (1) and a stationary assembly (2), between which communication is enabled in the sense of transferring the data at least by means of a microprocessor chip card (3), but optionally also via appropriate wireless telecommunication interconnection. The said mobile assembly (1) is installed within the vehicle, and in addition to a GPS-unit (12) comprises also at least a card reader (14) and a memory unit (11), but optionally also a displaying unit (13) and a signalling unit (15). The stationary assembly (2), which is located outside the vehicle and is in general adapted for communication with at least one mobile assembly (1) of one particular vehicle or especially with several mobile units (1) in various vehicles, either by means of a card (3) or optionally by means of an appropriate wireless interconnection, consists of a personal computer (22) equipped with appropriate software and peripheral units for processing the data obtained from the mobile unit (1) by means of the card (3) and/or a wireless connection, as well as of a card reader (21). The card (3) is equipped at least with data about a particular user of one or more vehicles and adapted for cooperating with the card reader (14) of the mobile unit (1) as well as with the card reader (21) of the stationary unit (2).

Description

DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY EVIDENCING AND RECORDING USE OF A VEHICLE

The invention relates to a device for automatic evidencing and recording use of a vehicle, especially of a vehicle, which is used in traffic for business purposes.

The invention is based on the problem, how to create a device for automatic evidencing and recording use of a vehicle, which should after entrusting the vehicle to each legitimate user enable automatic evidencing and recording use of a vehicle on the basis of permanent collecting of required or desired data up to the moment, when the use of the vehicle by each legitimate user is finished and the vehicle is returned.

Evidencing and recording use of a vehicle stems either from the desire or need to ensure as precise data as possible about vehicle use. This means collecting data about the beginning and end of use, duration of drive, the distance of travelled routes, speed, and fuel consumption. In order to enable recording and/or analysing such data for various purposes, the data needs to be appropriately documented. Documenting data on vehicle use is in certain cases even compulsory, e.g. by using a vehicle for business or similar purposes.

As known, documenting data about vehicle use in practice is mainly still done in the traditional manner i.e. by recording the data about the start and finish of vehicle use and distances travelled. Recording data in this case is done with reading the. tachometer in the vehicles before the trip and after it with mentioning the time of beginning and finishing using the vehicle. The data is evidenced by means of a suitable form, onto which each particular user of the vehicle has to write the data as specified before. Such attempt is linked to numerous deficiencies, and is especially based on various subjective factors. The accuracy of data depends on the person being scrupulous, honest and on other personal traits of an individual user. On the other hand it is true, that the attention of each particular user before starting a business-journey or after returning therefrom is mostly concentrated on other important tasks and not exclusively to reading the state of the tachometer. In addition to the said deficiencies of such non-automatic evidencing related to the so-called human factor, there is still another important deficience in the absence of evidencing the actual route and other data, which might be required and interesting by analysing the use of the vehicle use, especially e.g. a speed or position of the vehicle in particular time period.

Moreover, devices like taximeters or tachographs are also known for evidencing use of a particular vehicle. The firstly mentioned device enables evidencing the length of each trip together with duration of using the vehicle, on the basis of which then the costs may be calculated on the basis of appropriate tariff. The other device enables evidencing the course of vehicle use like e.g. time of starting and conclusion of the use, the speed of vehicle and similar data. In these cases it is also not possible to record the changes in position of the vehicle or other events necessary for analysing vehicle use.

A still further device, which enables identification of a vehicle, is known from EP 0 838 070 Al or also from DE 195 26 815 Al (Siemens AG); the device comprises appropriate means for determining a position of the vehicle, a transmitter, which can be activated, as well as an activating unit. The means for determining the position of the vehicle is a device, which is known to those skilled in the art as the so-caled GPS (global positioning system), namely a satellite-supported device, which serves for determining the actual position of a particular object on the basis of determining the time, which is necessary for receiving high-frequency signals transmitted by certain satellites, whose position is known. Such means for determining the position of the vehicle is useful not only for the purposes of the proposed solution, but also for navigation. When desired, the transmitter may be equipped with an identification code of a particular vehicle, which may be - when required - transferred to the global communication network together with data concerning actual position thereof. The activating unit is intended for activation of the said transmitter, however eclusively under predetermined conditions, which are specific for each particular vehicle. When knowing the code the device is easily replaceable or it can be built-in into a vehicle in such a manner that it is difficult or virtually impossible to locate or discover it at all. The device can be used e.g. by determination of position of crashed or stolen vehicles or vehicles with forged data concerning origin thereof. Despite the fact, that such device generally enables evidencing the position of the vehicle, recording is done regardless of the fact if the vehicle is in use or not. Besides that recording the position of the vehicle is only done on the basis of activating the unit on the basis of which the transmitter transmits appropriate signals to the global communication network. Finally the device does not enable personal identification of person driving the vehicle.

The present invention relates to a device for automatic evidencing and recording of vehicle use, which comprises at least a GPS-unit for determining position of the vehicle on the basis of satellite navigation i.e. on the basis of identification of high frequency signals received from a satellite system. According to the invention, such a device consists of a mobile assembly as well as of a stationary unit, between which appropriate communication is enabled in the sense of transferring data by means of a microprocessor chip card or optionally by means of a wireless telecommunication interconnection. The said mobile assembly, which is installed within the vehicle, in addition to the said GPS-unit comprises at least a card reader and a memory unit, but optionally also a displaying unit and/or a signalling unit, e.g. a voice signalling unit like a buzzer. The stationary assembly, which is located outside the vehicle and is generally adapted for communicating with at least one mobile assembly of a vehicle, especially with several mobile assemblies of various vehicles, either by means of the said card or optionally also by means of appropriate wireless telecommunication connection, consists at least of a personal computer equipped with appropriate software and peripheral units for processing the data data obtained from the mobile assembly either by means of the said card and/or by means of a wireless connection, as well as of a card reader. The said card is equipped at least with the data related to each particular user of one or more vehicles and adapted for cooperation with the card reader of the mobile assembly and also with the card reader of the stationary assembly. The stationary assembly in addition to the personal computer and a card reader preferrably comprises also a printer. The said mobile assembly is conceived in such a manner, that the data related to duration of use of corresponding vehicle as well as to changes in vehicle position during use are automatically recorded onto the card. On the other hand, the stationary assembly is conceived in such a way, that after inserting the card into corresponding reader at least the data related to duration of the use of corresponding vehicle as well as to changes in vehicle position may be read and entered into the personal computer. By this, during the use of the corresponding vehicle, preferrably the data identifying each particular user i.e. the legitimate user, the data about actual time of beginning the use the vehicle by this particular user, the data about the state of the tachometer serving for measuring the travelled distance prior to beginning of the use, the data about actual time of conclusion of the use of the vehicle by this particular user, the data about the state of the tachometer after the conclusion of the use, the data about the distance travelled as well as the data concerning fuel supply and actual fuel consumption are recorded onto the card, which is inserted into the card reader of the mobile assembly, which is installed within the vehicle, and after removing the card and inserting it into another card reader of a stationary assembly, this data is then transferred into a personal computer, which belongs to the stationary assembly, which is located outside of the vehicle. In one of possible embodiments, during the use of a vehicle, within which a mobile assembly is installed, after inserting the card into corresponding card reader of this mobile assembly, transfer of these automatically evidenced data to the stationary unit is enabled by means of the said card, and at the same time also a transfer, especially a prompt transfer, of this data between the stationary assembly and the mobile assembly is enabled by means of preferrably permanent wireless connection established therebetween.

The invention will be described on the basis of the embodiments, which are schematically shown in attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment of the device, and

Fig. 2 shows the second embodiment of the device according to invention.

Both embodiments of the device according to Fig. 1 and 2 serve for evidencing and recording use of company vehicles in traffic in accordance with the existing rules and legislation. When taking into account the said circumstances, such a device enable automatically evidencing and recording various data, like:

- Data related to each particular vehicle;

- Data about each particular driver i.e. each legitimate user;

- Information about the time of commencing using the vehicle by the user;

- Information about the state of the tachometer prior to use of the vehicle;

- Information about the actual time of conclusion of the use of the vehicle by the same user;

- Information about the state of the tachometer after conclusion of the use of the vehicle;

- Information about the length of the route; and

- Information about fuel supply and actual fuel consumption. The device according to the invention essentially consists of a mobile assembly 1, of a stationary assembly 2 as well as of a microprocessor chip card 3.

The mobile unit 1 is installed within the corresponding vehicle and comprises at least a memory unit 11, a GPS-unit 12 and a card reader 14, but when desired also a displaying unit 13, which is foreseen in first embodiment according to Fig. 1, and/or a signalling unit 15, which is foreseen in the second embodiment according to Fig. 2. The said stationary assembly 2 is arranged at any desired location outside the vehicle, where appropriate processing of evidenced data is performed, which are received from the belonging mobile assembly 1 by means of the card 3 or in any other way and relate to use of one or more vehicles entrusted to the particular user.

Cooperation between the mobile assembly 1 and the stationary assembly 2 is generally established by means of the card 3, however an additional temporary or permanently wireless connection there-between may also be established, e.g. by means of a radio- transmission.

Prior to use of the vehicle, the user should possess the required documentation, which belongs to the vehicle, as well as the key or a similar means required by start the vehicle. In order to drive a vehicle with incorporated mobile assembly 12 according to the invention, the legitimate user also needs to possess the card 3, which on the one hand serves for identification and on the other hand also enables automatically evidencing and recording the data related to the use of the vehicle.

The said card 3 is a microprocessor chip card, which may in this particular case completely correspond to ISO 7816 standard. In common, a separate card 3 is prepared i.e. manufactured for each particular user, by means of which the user is then allowed to use various vehicles with the incorporated mobile assemblies 1. The data, which is evidenced during the use of a specific vehicle by each particular user, is then recorded and saved onto the card 3 belonging to one particular user.

The mobile assembly 1, which is installed within the corresponding vehicle, comprises a card reader 14, into which the user has to insert his card 3 prior to use of the vehicle. By inserting the card 3 into the said reader 14, identification of the user is enabled on the one hand on the basis of data stored on the card 3, by which the identification data is saved in the memory unit 11 of the mobile assembly 1 in the vehicle, and on the other hand, evidencing and recording of use is simultaneously started, which takes place all the time, unless the card 3 is removed from the reader 14. Evidencing may also be determined as an unavoidable condition for using the vehicle at all, which means, that the vehicle can not be started without inserting the card 3 into the reader 14, by which even a signalling device 15 may be activated, which is e.g. foreseen in the embodiment according to Fig. 2. Such a signalling device 15 may be e.g. a buzzer, which is intended for affecting the driver by means of an unpleasant sound signal in order to remind the user about inserting the card 3 into corresponding reader 14.

Furthermore, the mobile assembly 1 includes a GPS-unit 12, which is known per se and is intended for transferring data about the actual position of the particular vehicle vehicle on the basis of evaluating high-frequency signals received from the satellite system. Evidencing and recording data about the position represents a basis for analyzing the lenght of apropriate movements of the vehicle as well as for calculating the speed or similar.

The mobile assembly 1 further includes a memory unit 11, which is intended for saving data, e.g. the data determining the user, the time of starting and conclusion of the use of the vehicle and similar. Although this is not compulsory, but in most cases a useful part of the mobile assembly 1 may also be a displaying unit 13, which is intended for transferring visual messages to the user. This last may refer either to the data, that only relates to the use of the device according to the invention, or also to any other data, which might be useful during the use of the vehicle, like e.g. to various warnings, messages, information serving for navigation, maps or similar.

The stationary assembly 2 essentially consists of a card reader 21 and a personal computer 22 together with desired peripheral units, of which in this particular case related to evidencing and recording use of the vehicle at least a printer 23 is foreseen, which serves for printing the relevant data concerning the vehicle use including the journey document in paper form. The personal computer 22 is equipped with the appropriate software, which enables saving, processing and - when required - also analysing the data read from the chip card 3 belonging to each particular user.

Whenever the device according to the invention is used for the purposes of evidencing use of the vehicle on an official journey, a configuration of the device according to Fig. 1 or 2 is quite sufficient. In this case the owner of the vehicle by approving the use delivers appropriate personal chip card 3 to the user, which may therefore together with adequate key and vehicle documents (insurance policy, vehicle registration documents and a partially filled-out journey document, if desired...) represent part of the usual travelling kit by a vehicle for business purposes in traffic. At the beginning, before using the vehicle, the user needs to insert the card 3 into the reader 14 of the corresponding mobile assembly 1 within the vehicle. Upon this, the use of a vehicle may be started, where at the same time the mobile assembly 1 is activated and the data related to starting the use is automatically recorded onto the card 3. During the use, the data related to position of the vehicle obtained from the GPS unit 12 is permanently and automatically recorded onto the card 3. By the embodiment according to Fig. 1 also the number of kilometres, duration of use and similar data can be seen on the displaying unit 13. This data may also be stored into a memory unit 11, if required. Upon conclusion of the use of the vehicle, i.e. after finishing a business journey in this particular case, when the user intends to remove the card 3 from the reader 14, the card 3 records the conclusion of use. After the use of the vehicle, the user has to return the card 3 together with the key and other documents. Upon inserting the card 3 into appropriate reader 21 of the stationary assembly 2 of the device according to invention, the data is transferred from the card 3 into a personal computer 22, whereupon the data is further processed and also analyzed by means of appropriate software, if desired. In this particular embodiment, processing the data is followed by automatic printing of a filled-out document by means of a printer 23, so that the document is provided with all necessary data as required for accounting and book-keeping purposes.

In the described embodiments exclusively the card 3 is used as the media for transferring data between the mobile assembly 1 and the stationary assembly 2 of the device according to the invention. However, in generaly, there is also a possibility of establishing a (permanent or temporary) wireless connection between the mobile assembly 1 and the stationary assembly 2, so that the mobile assembly 1 automatically sends the relevant data to the stationary assembly 2, where certain information may also be returned to the mobile assembly 1 in order to become promptly accessible to the user e.g. in form of appropriate messages visible on the displaying unit 13 and even accompanied by sound or additional optical signals, if desired.

Finally, it should be also noted, that the device according to the invention needs not to be used exclusively for the purposes of completing the documents related to business journeys, but also for various other purposes like e.g. analysing either use of a particular vehicle from the side of various users or use of various vehicles from the side of a particular user, and moreover also for various other purposes like e.g. for detection, identification and analysis of faults, for monitoring of service and maintenance of vehicles or the like.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Device for automatic evidencing and recording use of a vehicle use, comprising a GPS-unit (12) for determining position of the vehicle on the basis of satellite navigation i.e. on the basis of identification of high frequency signals received from a satellite system, characterised in that it consists of a mobile assembly (1) as well as of a stationary unit (2), between which appropriate communication is enabled in the sense of transferring data by means of a microprocessor chip card (3) and optionally by means of a wireless telecommunication interconnection, by which the said mobile assembly (1), which is installed within the vehicle, in addition to the said GPS-unit (12) comprises at least a card reader (14) and a memory unit (11), while the stationary assembly (2), which is located outside the vehicle and is generally adapted for communicating with at least one mobile assembly (1) of vehicle, especially with several mobile assemblies (1) of various vehicles, either by means of the said card (3) or optionally by means of appropriate wireless telecommunication connection, consists at least of a personal computer (22) equipped with appropriate software and peripheral units for processing the data obtained from the mobile assembly (1) either by means of the said card (3) and/or by means of a wireless connection, as well as of a card reader (21), and by which the said card (3) is equipped at least with the data related to each particular user of one or more vehicles and adapted for cooperation with the card reader (14) of the mobile assembly (1) and also with the card reader (21) of the stationary assembly (2).

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mobile assembly (1) is conceived in such a manner, that the data related to duration of use, of corresponding vehicle as well as to changes in vehicle position during use are automatically recorded onto the card (3).

3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stationary assembly (2) is conceived in such a way, that after inserting the card (3) into corresponding reader (21) at least the data related to duration of the use of corresponding vehicle as well as to changes in vehicle position may be read and entered into the personal computer (22).

4. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that during the use of the corresponding vehicle the data identifying each particular user i.e. the legitimate user, the data about actual time of beginning the use the vehicle by this particular user, the data about the state of the tachometer serving for measuring the travelled distance prior to beginning of the, the data about actual time of conclusion of the use of the vehicle by this particular user, the data about the state of the tachometer after the conclusion of the use, the data about the distance travelled as well as the data concerning fuel supply and actual fuel consumption are recorded onto the card (3), which is inserted into the card reader (14) of the mobile assembly (1) installed within the vehicle, and that after removing the card (3) and inserting it into another card reader (21) of a stationary assembly (2) this data is transferred into a personal computer (22), which belongs to the stationary assembly (2), which is located outside of the vehicle.

5. Device according to any of the preceeding Claims, characterized in that during the use of a vehicle, within which a mobile assembly (1) is installed, after inserting the card (3) into corresponding card reader (14) of this mobile assembly (1), transfer of these automatically evidenced data to the stationary unit (2) is enabled by means of the said card (3), and at the same time also transferring this data between the stationary assembly (2) and the mobile assembly (1) is enabled by means of a wireless connection established therebetween.

6. Device according to any of the preceeding Claims, characterized in that during the use of a vehicle, within which a mobile assembly (1) is installed, after inserting the card (3) into corresponding card reader (14) of this mobile assembly (1), transfer of these automatically evidenced data to the stationary unit (2) is enabled by means of the said card (3), and at the same time also a promptly transferring this data between the stationary assembly (2) and mobile assembly (1) is enabled by means of a permanent wireless connection established there-between.

7. Device according to any of the preceeding Claims, characterized in that the stationary assembly (2) in addition to the personal computer (22) and a card reader (21) comprises also a printer (23).

8. Device according to any of the preceeding Claims, characterized in that the mobile assembly (1) in addition to the GPS-unit (12), the card reader (14) and the memory unit (11) comprises also a displaying unit (13).

9. Device according to any of the preceeding Claims, characterized in that the mobile assembly (1) in addition to the GPS-unit (12), the card reader (14) and the memory unit (11) comprises also a signalling unit (15).

10. Device according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mobile assembly (1) in addition to the GPS-unit (12), the card reader (14) and the memory unit (11) comprises also a signalling unit (15).

11. Device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the signalling unit (15) is a voice signalling unit.