Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VEHICLE MANAGEMENT DEVICE
Technical Field
The invention relates to the vehicle management device, which provides the
connection of the vehicles with the central office for such purposes as
vehicle
monitoring and planning, and monitors the actions taken and/or not taken by
the
driver inside and/or outside the vehicle in order to aid in measuring the
performance of the driver.
The invention relates in particular to the innovation provided in the vehicle
management systems, which monitor the usual or unusual events inside and/or
outside the vehicles, in order to enable a company to attain a more efficient
state.
Background of the Invention
Today, for the vehicle owners and especially for the companies that own fleets
comprised by a great number of vehicles, it is of great importance to monitor
the
duties performed by the drivers, who spent most of the day inside the
vehicles,
from the standpoint of the efficiency of the company.
Said monitoring process is usually carried out by means of the vehicle
management devices. Said devices are those devices that are associated with
the most suitable task management, reporting and performance measurement
features for all the vehicles of an institution such as the passenger cars,
buses,
trucks and heavy duty equipment, and for the staff capable of operating said
vehicles.
In the systems where said devices are employed, the vehicle operators have
their cards read upon their entrance to/exit from the relevant institution's
headquarters, in order to both to be assigned with the new duties and
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authorizations and also to have their current uses registered in the system.
The
ways of utilization for all the human resources, vehicles and materials
belonging
to the institution, including the monitoring of the materials by means of the
tags
with radio frequency, are collected in the database installed in the central
computer, hence in this way the problems may be determined, the failures may
be corrected before they become more serious, the engagement book may be
drawn up for the tasks and the resource utilization performance of the
institution
may be determined. Since the vehicle a person is authorized to use and the
time interval for which said person is authorized to use said vehicle are
electronically stored on the person's card, same card.may be used in fueling
at
the contracted filling stations and in the charging for accommodation.
In said devices, some defects and consequently some problems emerge. One
of these problems is that said vehicle management devices may be used by any
authorized or unauthorized person in the possession of the smart card.
Sometimes, the vehicle drivers do not attend the work and allow the vehicle to
be used by an unauthorized person. In said conditions, the persons in
possession of the smart card may insert the card into the device within said
vehicle and may use the vehicle as if he were the vehicle's actual user. This
leads to difficulties in measuring the performance of the personnel.
Further, during the detection of the malfunctions likely to occur in the
vehicle,
said devices report the malfunction, but said notice only appears on the
screen.
The driver operating the vehicle may realize said malfunction only when he
looks at the screen, and he receives no audio warning. Likewise, a warning
that
may be transmitted from the headquarters may only be displayed on the screen,
and the warning may not be provided in the form of a conversation.
While the vehicles travel, the cameras positioned at certain points of said
vehicle display the road status report. However, during the night travels, the
images received by said cameras are not able to provide a clear display due to
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the darkness. Thus, said user may not access the information about the road
status in an apparent manner during the night travels.
In the existing systems, the online monitoring of the vehicles that operate in
the
international lines is possible only up to a very limited extent, as a result
of the
very expensive prices for the current international GPRS connection. The
reasons for this are that the connection is made via single sim card over GPRS
and that the data transfer is charged based on the international rates
(ROAMING). As a result, all the information about the vehicle/driver is stored
in
the memory of the vehicle management device during the entire international
circulation, and said information is transferred to the management computer
via
GRPS based on the local tariff rate, upon the return of the vehicle to the
home
country, or the information is accumulated and is transmitted based on the
international SMS tariff by means of GSM short message (SMS) infrastructure.
In the invention no. US 2003/0033410 Al, published on 13 February 2003, titled
"Machine Resource Management System, Method and Program", it is aimed to
direct the resources according to the requests and to achieve an optimal
system
management in a distributed system. However, this invention is on the level of
data processing. On the other hand, the invention described here is about an
active data collection and distribution system, including the recording of the
vehicle use performances in an electronic card and an employee task
notification mechanism that operates via GSM system.
The patent application no. US005272464 titled "Centralized automotive
resource management system" relates to the monitoring and management of
the internal components of a vehicle. The vehicle monitoring system, which is
a
part included in this invention, collects the available data within the
vehicle,
compiles and saves the same in an electronic card. However, the essence of
the system is that the cards used in transferring the data collected inside
the
vehicle to the center are also functional in the task management and
authorization, different from the similar systems. For example, the usage
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information is transferred to the systems at the work place entrances, the
task
notification and vehicle use authorizations are loaded into the card upon the
exits.
The patent application no. US006836710B2 titled "Vehicle management
system" relates to the utilization and the diagnostic information obtained
from a
vehicle in the entire process of sale, service and repair, beginning from the
manufacture of the vehicles.
In mentioned applications, the aforesaid disadvantages have not been
overcome. Therefore, it has been attempted to seek an innovation related to
the
vehicle management devices.
Description of the Invention
Based on the mentioned state of the art, the object of the invention is to
provide
a structure, which prevents said vehicle management device from being used
by the unauthorized persons.
Another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables a
perfect
measurement of the personnel performance, owing to the fact that said vehicle
management device may, be used only by the persons authorized for said
device.
In order to achieve said objects, the fingerprint sensor is positioned on said
vehicle management device.
Another object of the invention is to present a structure, which issues an
audio
warning message to enable the personnel operating the vehicle to be instantly
informed about a possible malfunction.
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In relation with said object, all the messages composed by the vehicle
management device are displayed in written form on the screen and are also
issued as a voice recording to enable the driver to listen, along with all the
detail
descriptions. Thus, the driver is informed as he keeps his eyes on the road
while he drives.
Another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables audio
messaging between the staff driving the vehicle and the headquarters.
In order to achieve said objects, the speakers and the microphone are
positioned on said vehicle management device.
Another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables the
personnel driving the vehicle to clearly see the road status also during the
night.
In order to achieve the said object, the night vision camera input is
positioned
on the device, in order to transmit the images taken by the night vision
camera
located on the vehicle to said device management device.
Another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables to
see
also the rear side condition in case said vehicle is reversed.
In order to achieve the said object, a reverse gear camera input is positioned
on
the device, in order to transmit the images taken by the reverse gear camera
located on the vehicle to said device management device.
Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
the
detecting and processing of said lane lines, and thus warns and notifies the
driver in case of the vehicle changing the lane.
In order to achieve said objects, the white lane line camera input and the in-
vehicle camera input are positioned on the vehicle management device.
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Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
to
see/listen to the interior of said vehicle from the central office.
Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
the
saving and archiving of all the images from the cameras connected with the
vehicle management device- and of the cabin sounds, to a usb hard disk
connected to the vehicle management device, by means of the compression
algorithms.
Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
said
records to be monitored and listened by the central office in an online or
retrospective manner.
Still another object of the invention is to make it possible to view the image
records of a camera positioned in front of the vehicle in case of accident, in
order to clarify the cause and type of the accident.
A video output is positioned on said vehicle management device. It is possible
to watch/listen to the recorded informative and advertising films by
connecting
this video output to a LCD monitor/TV (for taxis, public transport vehicles,
money transport vehicles, public service vehicles, ambulances, etc.).
Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which is
easier to
use since the screen of said vehicle management device is a touch screen and
a color screen.
Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
the
device to operate also by recognizing the voice of the user, owing to the
voice
recognition sensor positioned on the vehicle management device.
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Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
the
driver to use all the functions of the device without removing the hands from
the
steering wheel while driving, owing to the voice recognition sensor.
Still another object of the invention is to present a structure, which enables
the
personnel driving the vehicle to perform text messaging and/or data entry.
In order to achieve said object, at least one keyboard is positioned in
connection with the vehicle management device.
Description of the Figures
Figure - 1 The front view of the vehicle management device according to the
invention
Figure - 2 The rear view of the vehicle management device according to the
invention
Reference Numbers
1. Vehicle Management Device
1.1 Smart Card Slot
1.2 Color Touch Screen
1.3 Fingerprint Sensor
1.4 Speaker
1.5 Microphone and Voice Recognition Sensor
1.6 Usb1 Input
1.7 Usb2 Input
1.8 Keyboard Input
1.9 Status Indicator Light
1.10 Infrared Command/Data Sensor
1.11 Key Set
1.12 Audio/Video Input
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1.13 Assembly Connection Point
1.14 SD Card Slot
1.15 Camera Input
1.16 Socket
1.17 Connector
1.18 Sim Card
Detailed Description of the Invention
In Figure - 1, the front view of the vehicle management device (1) according
to
the invention is illustrated.
Said vehicle management device (1) comprises the main components of the
smart card slot (1.1) bearing at least one smart card where the user
information
and authorizations are stored; the color touch screen (1.2) where the task
definitions and the information such as the place and time may be viewed, also
used as the control panel; the fingerprint sensor (1.3), which enables the
user to
operate the device also by the fingerprint, in addition to the smart card; the
night
vision camera input, reverse gear camera input, white lane line camera input
and/or in-vehicle camera input (1.15) to enable the images inside and outside
of
the vehicle to be watched on said color touch screen; the keyboard input (1.8)
that connects with said device (1) the keyboard, which is used by said user
for
entering the information and communication with the headquarters; and the
voice recognition sensor (1.5) placed to enable said user to operate said
vehicle
management device (1) by his voice. Said camera inputs (1.15) are located in
the sockets, which can carry more than one connections and are positioned as
hidden from the view by means of the cover under the device (1).
Said device (1) is connected with the vehicle via the assembly connection
point
(1.13).
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Said fingerprint sensor (1.3) is defined specifically for the user, to enable
the
user to operate said device (1). The messages sent to the user from the center
or the other users are displayed on said color touch screen (1.2), and the
voice
messages and/or the warning messages are delivered to the user by means of
a speaker (1.4). Said color touch screen (1.2) is used as the control panel
for
said device (1).
When said user wishes to transmit a written message and/or to perform a data
entry, he types his message via the keyboard, which is connected with said
device (1) through at least one keyboard input (1.8). The user may also type
the
messages via said color touch screen (1.2). Similarly, the control of the
color
touch screen (1.2) may also be performed via the key set (1.11).
The night vision camera, which is located on the vehicle to enable watching
the
road displays on the color touch screen (1.2) during the night travel of the
vehicle driven by said user, is connected with the device (1) by means of the
night vision camera input (1.15).
Likewise, the reverse gear camera positioned on the rear part of the vehicle
enables the user to view the rear side of the vehicle as the vehicle reverses,
only by looking at the color touch screen (1.2). Said reverse gear camera is
connected with said vehicle management device (1) by means of at least one
reverse gear camera input (1.15).
The white lane line camera positioned to enable said user to follow the road
lines via the color touch screen (1.2) is connected with the device (1)
through
the white lane line camera input (1.15).
The in-vehicle camera, which is positioned to enable said user to view the
interior of the vehicle from different angles via the color touch screen
(1.2), is
connected with the device (1) through the in-vehicle camera input (1.17).
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The infrared command/data sensor (1.10) positioned on said vehicle
management device (1) is used to control all the functions of the vehicle
management device (1) by means of the infrared remote control unit to be
installed on the steering wheel.
In this way, the driver may perform the necessary operations while he drives
the
vehicle, without lifting his hands from the steering wheel. Also, said sensor
(1.10) is used to perform data communication with all the mobile
phones/computers having infrared or IR-DA output.
SD card slot (1.14) is positioned on said vehicle management device (1), which
slot bears the SD card that enables to load and save the multimedia
applications and files of said device (1).
Similarly, the audio/video input (1.12) is positioned on the device (1), in
order to
watch or listen to the multimedia audio and video applications.
Said audio/video input (1.12) is positioned on the device (1), to enable the
multimedia audio and video signals to be received from the outside of the
system and to be displayed on the touch screen (1.2) of the device (1).
The transmission of the signals, which are necessary for the device (1) to
detect
and measure various digital and analog indicators within the technical
structure
of the vehicle, to communicate with the vehicle's own computer and to check
numerous electromechanical systems within the vehicle, to the external
ambience is carried out via the socket (1.16) positioned in the lower part of
the
device (1).
The electrical energy required by the device (1) to operate and various
digital
communication signals are also transmitted to the outside world via a separate
connector (1.17) located in the same part.
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When the vehicle on which the device (1) is installed is within the
territories of
different countries, the device has the functionality to select for use the
one card
that belongs to the relevant country, among the preferably six SIM cards
(1.18)
it houses.
All the operations related to the SIM cards (1.18), which are located in
special
compartments of the device (1) inaccessible by the user, are performed
automatically, with no external intervention being required.
USB1 and USB2 inputs (1.6, 1.7), which are positioned on said device (1),
enable any possible external equipment to be connected to the device (1).
The status indicator light (1.9), which is also located on the device (1), is
positioned as the part that issues the warnings related to the device.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, 6 sim cards (1.18) may
be connected to the GPRS module, which is located on said vehicle
management device (1) and provides the online data communication. Said
number of sim cards (1.18) may be increased in different applications. In this
way, the vehicles that operate in the international lines may automatically
select
the sim card (1.18) for the country they are currently in, in order to connect
to
GPRS via the local rates of the country they are currently in and transmit the
information to any point of the world. This provides the possibility for the
vehicle
to remain in any country continuously online with the central computer.
The location of the vehicle is monitored by means of GPS located within said
vehicle management device (1).
The protective scope of this application is determined in the section of the
claims, and the scope may by no means be limited to the description above
provided only for exemplary purposes. It is obvious that a person skilled in
the
art may provide the innovation put forward by the invention also by using the
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similar embodiments and/or may apply this embodiment to the other fields used
in the relevant art for similar purposes. Consequently, such embodiments would
obviously lack the criterion of innovative step.
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