WO2014077695A1

WO2014077695A1 - System and method for control of vehicle operation, vehicle, and uses of the system

Info

Publication number: WO2014077695A1
Application number: PCT/NO2012/000065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ole G. SØVIKNES
Original assignee: Søviknes Ole G
Priority date: 2012-11-16
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2014-05-22

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for control of a vehicle, comprising a computer chip that can be connected to the vehicle, a monitoring and recording system, a location determining system and a wireless communication system, where; the computer chip is set up to receive information about the location of the vehicle from the location determining system, as; the computer chip and the monitoring and recording system are set up for communication via the wireless communication system, and, the monitoring and recording system is set up to receive and process information belonging to the vehicle and from external databases. The system is characterised in that the computer chip is set up to completely or partially restrict the operation of the vehicle in that it is associated with and can control the arranged components in the vehicle which can completely or partially limit the operation of the vehicle. Also described is a vehicle, applications of the system, and a method of exercising control of a vehicle with the help of the system.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF VEHICLE OPERATION, VEHICLE AND USES OF THE SYSTEM.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for control of a vehicle, comprising a computer chip that can be attached to the vehicle, a monitoring and recording system, a location determining system, and a wireless communication system, where,

- the computer chip is set up to receive information about the location of the vehicle from the location determining system, whereby

- the computer chip and monitoring and recording system are set up for communication via the wireless communication system, and

- the monitoring and recording system is arranged for receiving and processing information associated with the vehicle and from external databases. The invention also relates to a vehicle, uses of the above system and a method for the operation of a vehicle.

In more detail, the present invention relates to a new system for implementing the control so that vehicles are used in a legal way in traffic. The invention is thus related to this regulation of the operation of a vehicle in relation to whether regulatory conditions are in order with the vehicle.

Conditions which one especially thinks of here are tax discs and that the vehicle has a valid insurance, and that the required regular vehicle inspections are conducted to ensure that the vehicle is in proper technical condition.

Furthermore, the system can be used for the recording of the speeds of special vehicles with particular speed requirements. Distances driven may also be recorded with regard to the insurance contract. In the case of theft the vehicle can be immobilised.

Prior Art

According to current Norwegian practice, every year the car owner is sent a control disc in the form of a sticker, with appropriate identification to attach/stick onto the number plate as a visual sign that the vehicle is in legal use, that is, that all the above mentioned conditions are in order. This is a procedure which is referred to as one of the most extensive and complex mailing operations that exists.

Vehicles that have not followed these payment orders and controls, and are therefore missing the sticker, are taken out of traffic via manual spot checks on the road. However such controls are very resource demanding since the above mentioned conditions of tax discs, insurance and vehicle inspections must be done individually, and because the records are not always updated. It can happen that everything is in order with the vehicles even though they lack the aforementioned sticker.

Solutions have been provided where cameras have been used that can read license plates and can check these against a database of vehicles that should not have been on the road, among other things due to lack of payment of the tax disc. If negative comments are recorded on the vehicle, the vehicle must be stopped based on the physical presence of inspectors in the traffic. Thus this form of control is therefore resource demanding, and with the present invention, one wishes to reach an even more resource efficient method, which can completely eliminate the need for manual controls on the road.

There are also known technical solutions where vehicles are taxed by using a satellite-based system, where the system automatically registers when, where and how far the vehicle is used/driven with the use a GSM technology. In this way, the individual car owner can be invoiced based on the mileage the car used in the so-called rush hour. For security purposes, the system can be supported by recording cameras along the roads, which verify that the vehicle has a functioning satellite communication device.

With regard to prior art reference is made to EP-1723006, GB-2441563, US- 2002/0195490 and CN-101 777153.

Aims of the invention

It is an aim of the invention to provide a system which can effectively control the use of a vehicle, i.e., which will prevent that the vehicle can be used/started if requirements such as tax disc, insurance and vehicle controls are not in order, and also the ability to stop stolen vehicles and vehicles which for other reasons should not be travelling on the roads.

Furthermore, it is an aim of the invention to ensure that all registered vehicles which are on the road meet, at all times, their obligations as drivers with regard to taxes, insurance and periodic inspections.

Furthermore, it is an aim to save the authorities administration expenses by there no longer being a need for the annual mailing of stickers to all the vehicles in the country.

Furthermore, it is an aim to provide a control system where there is no longer a need for a physical presence in the traffic to control vehicles. Furthermore, it is an aim to provide a system which can eliminate the need for tax or toll stations, since the system if desired, will be able to register the position of the vehicle at any time.

Furthermore, it is an aim to provide a vehicle which comprises a chip for the operation of said system and also a method.

One of the major advantages of the invention is that the system can be set so that it will not be possible to use the vehicle if it does not meet the requirements for use on the road. This will mean that it will be very difficult to avoid payment of statutory periodic fees for vehicles, such as the annual tax fee in the relevant country, such as Norway.

Brief description of the invention

Thus the system in accordance with the present invention is characterised in that the computer chip is set up to partially or completely restrict the operation of the vehicle in that it is connected with and may control the arranged components of the vehicle that can fully or partly limit the operation of the vehicle. The preferred embodiments of the system are given in the dependent claims 2- 8. According to the invention a system is used to verify that the vehicle is legally in use, wherein it can immobilise the vehicle. The vehicle can be immobilised when certain parameters are present regarding the legitimate use of the vehicle as well as the vehicle location and operating condition.

According to the invention a system is used, where information regarding the vehicle, which is received by the monitoring and recording system from said vehicle, is information about the location of the vehicle, and information regarding the vehicle, which is received by the monitoring and recording system from external databases, is information about the lawful operation of the vehicle.

It is also used for continuous or intermittent monitoring of the location of the vehicle, or for the control of the location of the vehicle only when information is available that the vehicle is not in legal operation. According to one aspect of the invention a method for vehicle control includes the steps:

- receiving information regarding the location of the vehicle position from the location determining system receiving a status from the monitoring and recording system, and

- determination of whether to completely or partly limit the operation of the vehicle based on the received information about the location of the vehicle and received status.

Detailed description of the invention

The system according to the present invention will now be described in detail, both with regard to the technical substance and to the use of the system. In this connection reference is made to the enclosed figure.

The technical components consist of a computer chip fitted to the vehicle, a monitoring and recording system, a location determining system, and a wireless communication system. Other components can also be included in addition, and will also be described below. A location determining system is preferably a GPS system (acronym for Global Positioning System), but other types of location determining systems can also be used, as long as they can be used to determine the location of a vehicle. 5 The wireless communication system is preferably a GSM communication

system (acronym for Global System for Mobile Communications). Of course, other forms of wireless communication can also be utilised, as long as they can be used for communication between vehicles and a database. GPS technology and GSM technology are well known and will therefore not be described in i o detail.

Figure 1 shows a general outline of how these components interact with each other. The vehicle 1 0 receives signals from the GPS satellite 1 2 in space for locating. In addition, there is a one-way or two-way communication between the

15 vehicle 1 0 and a GSM telecommunications system 14 for data transmission, and between the GSM telecommunications system and the monitoring and recording system which is here shown by 20, symbolised by an operator in the figure. The system 20 records the information from the police 30 (e.g., fines), Transport Agency 40 (periodic technical inspection and/or registration fees) and

2 0 insurance companies 50 (if the vehicle is properly insured). The figure shows that the relevant agencies, insurance, police, road authorities, send information to the operator in the system, and the system distributes information via the GSM network to the computer chip in the vehicle so that it is checked. The location system also works in that information from the GPS satellite is

25 transmitted to the centre as the figure suggests in general.

A computer chip is fitted to the vehicle. It can be placed where desired, a preferred location is in the engine of the vehicle. The computer chip must be able to immobilise the vehicle, hence the placement in the engine as a

30 reasonable choice. The computer chip must thereby be connected with

components in the vehicle that can be used to disable the operation of the vehicle. This connection can be direct, in that the computer chip is fitted directly onto the component(s), or indirect, in that the computer chip is placed at a different location from the component(s) but is connected to them, for example, 35 by the use of cables which carry electrical signals between the computer chip and the component(s).

Any component that can be used to immobilise the vehicle can be used in the system according to the invention. Preferred embodiments of the system according to the invention use the ignition system of the vehicle, the electrical system of the vehicle, or the exhaust system of the vehicle to immobilise the vehicle. By controlling the ignition system, one can directly prevent the vehicle from being started. This can require that the engine of the vehicle is computer controlled, older cars which are not computer controlled must get a standard package with GSM/GPS or similar systems fitted, but this can be done at delivery in new cars. By controlling the electrical system, one can prevent the same thing by stopping power to the ignition system, or in that other vital components do not get power or cannot communicate. By controlling the exhaust system, one can prevent the exhaust escaping from the engine so that it will be strangled.

There are many ways one can implement the immobilisation of the operation of the vehicle, all of which fall under the scope of the invention. Which specific method is chosen depends on how specifically one wants to implement the system according to the present invention. It can be varied for different types of vehicles, so that one can choose the most preferred embodiment. This may be the easiest, cheapest, least detrimental to the vehicle, the easiest to mass install, easiest to install afterwards, which can be easily determined by one skilled in the art.

For safety reasons the computer chip is preferably equipped with labelling, so it can be physically checked that the chip is correct for the vehicle in which it is fitted. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer chip is fitted/connected to the system it can disable in such a way that the physical removal of the computer chip will lead to an automatic

immobilisation and/or that an attempted removal will trigger an alarm signal which is then sent via the wireless communication system to the monitoring and recording system.

So that it can be immediately visible whether a vehicle is fitted with a computer chip for the system according to the present invention, one can, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fit a label to the vehicle. This label can be in the form of a sticker which identifies the system, at least in general (a symbol of the system) and if required with a specific identification of the vehicle (for example, vehicle registration number/number plate). Preferably the sticker is fitted so that it is clearly visible on the outside of the vehicle, so that it is immediately apparent that the vehicle has a sticker. The sticker should also be designed so that it is easily recognisable and is not easy to confuse or fake. A preferred placement of the sticker is on the inside of a window, preferably the rear window, where it is clearly visible, cannot be tampered with by an unauthorised person, and is protected from the weather. Thus it cannot be easily removed and destroyed or be moved to another vehicle.

Of course the design of the computer chip will vary with how one wishes to use the system in accordance with the present invention. The computer chip can be fitted with a computer memory if it is desirable to store the information there. This can be short term storage, if the chip only needs to communicate intermittently with the monitoring and recording system. Information can then be deleted after it is transferred to the monitoring and recording system.

Information can also be stored in the short term before sending information in packets, or stored in the long-term on the computer chip if desired.

Alternatively, the computer chip may only send and receive information without storing it. Then the information is processed and forwarded, but not stored on the chip itself after it is processed. This can be desirable if one wishes to make the chip as simple and thereby robust and inexpensive as possible, and on the basis of constraints with regard to privacy of stored personal information.

The computer chip must, of course, have access to a power source that can operate it. This can be an external source, for example, a connection to the battery of the vehicle or systems in the vehicle which take power from the vehicle's battery. The computer chip can then be driven directly by the vehicle's battery, or have its own battery that is charged from the battery of the vehicle (the charge can, for example, take place when the vehicle is in use and the vehicle's battery is charging). Alternatively, the computer chip can have its own power source independent of the vehicle's power source. This requires separate charging of the power source, but has the advantages in that one does not need to connect the system up to the vehicle's power supply and that one is independent of this (the system will work even if the vehicle's power supply system does not work). A such independent power supply system can, for example, be battery powered or powered by a solar cell. It should be robust, and preferably a limited power supply will automatically trigger an alarm signal that will be sent over the wireless communication system to the monitoring and recording system. The monitoring and recording system itself is a computer system which receives, processes and sends out information about vehicles which are connected to the system. The system according to the present invention thus comprises a monitoring and recording system which is connected to a number of vehicles that it can monitor and record. The connection itself between the monitoring and recording system and the vehicles is carried out by a wireless communication system, preferably a GSM network. The monitoring and recording system also has access to databases concerning the vehicles. This can be a direct, continuous access to public or private databases with information on the registration of the vehicle (such as the Norwegian Vehicle Registration Authority), fixed taxes, insurance and other legal matters that affect whether the vehicle can be legally operated.

Alternatively, such information can be stored in the monitoring and recording system and be periodically updated. The specific information which one wishes the system to contain will obviously be adjusted with regard to how one wishes the system according to the present invention to be implemented. This will vary depending on where the system shall be used as different countries have different legal conditions that affect whether a vehicle can legally be used, and how one wishes that the system shall be implemented on the basis of various non-technical issues, such as personal privacy and political science.

In addition to that the monitoring and recording system is connected to databases regarding legal operation of the vehicle and therefore has automatically this information available, the system according to the present invention can also be adapted so that one can add information about the vehicle's legitimate use which is not found in the above-mentioned databases. This can, for example, be theft of the vehicle, or if a vehicle is used in illegal activities. Likewise, other information such as non-payment of traffic fines is added to the system either automatically via public databases, or manually in individual cases. The system according to the present invention can thus ascertain that the vehicle is not in legal operation for various reasons. Therefore the monitoring and recording system is thus a computer system with all the usual components, such as computer memory, power supply, processing capacity and information in and out. The monitoring and recording system is preferably automated, but can be completely or partially controlled by a system operator.

How the system is used will also have to be adapted to local conditions, but the overall technical solution is that a computer chip is fitted in the vehicle and is connected via a telecommunications network (two-way communication) to the monitoring and recording system, which also receives information about parameters such as valid insurance, annual taxes and vehicle control, and any other conditions that affect whether the vehicle can be legally used. The vehicle receives information from a GPS satellite about its location and relays this information further to the monitoring and recording system.

Depending on how one wishes to use the system according to the present invention, the location information of the vehicle can be forwarded via said telecommunications network and be stored in the monitoring and recording system continuously or intermittently, or only if the monitoring and recording system specifically requests the computer chip to receive such information.

A continuous monitoring of the vehicle's location can be desirable for various reasons. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system can be used to monitor special vehicles which have limits on where they can be found, or how long they can be in use. It can also be used to register the amount of time a vehicle is in a tax levied area, possibly in a levy imposed time frame, such as in city centres during rush hour, and whether the vehicle is in use (or parked). Thus the system can be used for calculation of specific fees, for example, congestion charges.

This can also be done by intermittent recording of location information. For example, the location information can be sent from the computer chip in the vehicle to the monitoring and recording system when the vehicle drives past fee registration points, or drives into areas where a fee must be paid. One can thereby avoid having specific toll booths and the traffic flow problems that can be caused by the restricted entrance to such areas on specific roads with toll booths. Such intermittent transmission of location information can also be linked to specific times, so it only sent from the computer chip or detected by the monitoring and recording system for certain periods.

Alternatively, the location information can be sent from the computer chip in the vehicle only when the monitoring and recording system requests this. This can, for example, be relevant if one, out of respect for personal privacy (for example, due to laws about privacy in general or specifically for diplomatic personnel, for example) does not wish to monitor the location of a vehicle. Transmission of location information will then only occur when specifically triggered by the monitoring and recording system. This will then take place only when it is determined that the use of the vehicle shall be limited, and one will first need to find out where the vehicle is located, and whether it is in use. The computer chip thus registers the location of the vehicle and whether it is in motion, and transmits this information to the monitoring and recording system. Based on information about the vehicle's location and whether the vehicle can legally be used, the monitoring and recording system can then send signals via a telecommunications network of the information chip to limit the vehicle's use.

A such limitation of the vehicle's use can be to reduce the vehicle's speed so that its use is limited or completely prevented in that the vehicle can be prevented from starting up and being driven. A limitation by reducing the speed of the vehicle may be preferred if the vehicle is in an area where it is not desirable that it should remain for a long time.

The time for use of the vehicle is also preferably recorded, such as whether the vehicle is in use and if so, how long ago the vehicle was used. If one shall limit the use of the vehicle it will be beneficial to know how long it has been since it has been used, so that the restriction does not lead to dangerous traffic situations. Thereby, one can limit the use only when the vehicle is not in use, or alternatively when it is not in use and has not been in use within a desired time frame. In one embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the vehicle will only be immobilised if it is not found in specific locations which are considered undesirable. It may be, for example, in the mountains in winter, in public car parks etc. In one embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the vehicle will only be immobilised if it is found in certain places which are considered desirable/safe. It can be, for example, at or within a given radius of the owner's home. An automated warning that the vehicle will be taken out of operation can optionally be sent out by the monitoring and recording system to the vehicle's owner.

The system according to the present invention should be as automated as possible, and can be completely automated. Preferably, a human operator will monitor the system. The operator maintains the monitoring and recording system by order of the road authority, the police and insurance companies. According to a preferred embodiment, the vehicle will only be put out of operation after a named operator has approved this. The system will then detect that the vehicle is not being used legally, will check the location of the vehicle and then submit to the operator's proposal for restriction of the vehicle's use.

The system according to the present invention can be used on all types of vehicles. The system is primarily designed for vehicles which use public roads, such as, for example, cars, motorcycles, mopeds, buses, trucks, etc. But the system can also be advantageously used for other types of motorised vehicles that do not travel on public roads, such as boats, "off road" vehicles and snow scooters.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS.

1 . System for control of a vehicle, comprising a computer chip that can be associated with the vehicle, a monitoring and recording system, a location determining system, and a wireless communication system, where

- the computer chip is set up to receive information about the location of the vehicle from the location determining system, as

- the computer chip and the monitoring and recording system are set up for communication via the wireless communication system, and

- the monitoring and recording system is set up for receiving and processing information belonging to the vehicle and from external databases,

characterised in that

- the computer chip is set up to partially or completely restrict the operation of the vehicle in that it is associated with and can control the in vehicle arranged components which completely or partly can restrict the operation of the vehicle.

2. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that the computer chip can be attached to the vehicle's ignition system so that it is able to directly prevent the vehicle from being started.

3. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that the computer chip can be attached to the electrical system so that it is able to prevent that the ignition system receives power, or in that other vital components do not receive power or cannot communicate.

4. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that the computer chip is set up to control the exhaust system, by which one can prevent the exhaust escaping from the engine which is thereby choked and immobilized.

5. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that the computer chip is a permanently installed or a detachable unit to said vehicle.

6. System according to the preceding claims, characterised in that a location determining system is a GPS system and the wireless communication system is a GSM network.

7. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that the system is wholly automated, in the form of that - current payments of fees (annual fee - registration) associated with the vehicle, and, - current conducted periodic technical inspections of the vehicle are automatically registered in the system and give the vehicle the ability to be driven.

5

8. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that the system is set up for two-way communication via the wireless communication system.

9. Vehicle, characterised in that it is set up to be connected to the control 0 system as given in the claims 1 -8, comprising a computer chip which can be detachably connected to the vehicle's main operational bodies to be subjected to an operational control from the control system.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that the computer chip is 5 attached to one of the vehicle's main operating bodies in the form of an ignition system in order to directly prevent the vehicle from being started.

1 1 . Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-10,

characterised in that the computer chip is connected to one of the vehicle's main o operating bodies in the form of the electrical system so that it can prevent that the ignition system receives power or in that other vital components do not receive power or are unable to communicate.

12. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-1 1 ,

5 characterised in that the computer chip is connected to one of the vehicle's main operating bodies in the form of the exhaust system, whereby one can prevent that exhaust gases are released out of the engine, which is thereby strangled and cannot start. 0

13. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-12,

characterised in that the vehicle is equipped with a feature which identifies that the vehicle is equipped with a computer chip.

14. Use of a system according to claims 1 -8, to verify that the vehicle is in5 legal use.

15. Use of a system according to claims 1 -8, to immobilise the vehicle.

16. Use of a system according to claims 1 -8 to immobilise the vehicle when certain parameters exist related to the vehicle's legitimate use and the location of the vehicle and its operating state.

5

17. Application of the system according to one or more of claims 1 -8, where information relating to a vehicle which is received by the monitoring and recording system from said vehicle, is information about the vehicle's location and information relating to the vehicle which is received by the monitoring and 0 recording system from external databases is information about the vehicle's lawful operation.

18. Use of a system for control of a vehicle according to claim 1 for continuous or intermittent monitoring of the location of the vehicle, or for the5 control of the vehicle's location only when information exists that the vehicle is not in lawful operation.

19. Method for control of a vehicle according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

o - receiving information about the location of the vehicle's from the location

determining system,

- receiving a status of the monitoring and recording system, and

- deciding whether to completely or partially limit the operation of the vehicle based on the received information regarding the location of the vehicle and its 5 received status.