Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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IMPROVED MONITORING VEHICLE DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicle monitoring devices, and more
particularly to such devices which have a sleep mode, and which can permit
transparent communication between a central location and a peripheral device
located in a vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In the field of fleet management, companies are now equipping their
vehicles with a system which can monitor various functions of the vehicle such
as its speed, the interior temperature of its cargo-bay, the occurrence and
timing of the opening and closing of a door, fuel consumption, etc., by means
of various sensors which are placed at critical locations on the vehicle and
relay
the information so gathered to a unit located on board a vehicle. The unit
located on board the vehicle is in communication with a central location, or
base, so that all or part of the information may be transmitted back to the
central location, either at regular intervals, or upon a request from the
central
location. Information may also be transmitted when a given event occurs on
board the vehicle, which requires attention of the central location.
It is also known in this field to provide the vehicle with a GPS (Global
Positioning System) module which serves to indicate, within a fair degree of
accuracy, the physical, or geographical, location of a vehicle. The GPS module
can then, through the unit located! on board the vehicle, relay to the central
location the information, which may then be displayed on a geographical map
in order to pinpoint the location of i:he vehicle.
It should be noted that the vf:hicle monitoring units described above can
be used not only in the case of a fleet of trucks, but can also be used in
police
cars or other emergency vehicles, in rental car fleets, tow trucks. etc. These
units are adaptable to any number of situations where a person wants
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information about the status of a vehicle and location of a vehicle.
Communication between the central location and the vehicle is usually
effected through radio-communication, which includes cellular communications.
Some prior art systems have been developed which transmit only discrete
packets of information, in order to preserve bandwidth and to minimize costs
associated with radio-communication.
Examples of vehicle monitoring devices and methods for programming
them which have been patented can be seen in U.S. patent nos. 5,570,087
(LEMELSON), 5,400,018 (SCHOLL et al.), 5,410,739 (HART), 5,424,720
(KIRKPATRICK), 5,519,621 (WORTHAM), 5,648,898 (MOORE-McKEE et al.),
5,225,842 (BROWN et al.), 5,631,832 (HAGENBUCH), 4,328,494 (GOODALL)
and 5,303,163 (EBAUGH et al.).
However, to Applicant's knowledge, none of the prior art systems
includes means for permitting transparent communication between a peripheral
device located on a vehicle and the central location. This can be useful, for
example, for a person wishing to send or receive a facsimile transmission,
without needing a separate, dedicated communication link such as a cellular
telephone line. This can also be useful, for example, for a police vehicle,
particularly in the case where the police vehicle is equipped with a magnetic
card reader, so that the information contained on the magnetic card can be
transmitted to the base for verification or authorization purposes.
Another drawback in prior art systems is the incapability, again to
Applicant's knowledge, for the device to be in a "sleep mode". In prior art
systems, the unit located on board the vehicle is usually powered by the
vehicle's battery, which means that the unit may "sense" events even when the
vehicle's engine is not running. However) the drawback is that should the unit
be powered for a relatively long period of time without the engine running,
the
power consumption tends to drain the vehicle's battery relatively quickly and
thus the unit becomes inoperative.
For example, should a mechanical failure occur on board the vehicle,
resulting in the event that the driver (or operator) of the vehicle have to
abandon
it, and in the event that repairs cannot be effected quickly enough, it would
be
desirable to continue to have information about the status of the vehicle
during
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this unattended period. The prior art systems, to Applicant's knowledge, would
continue transmitting information to the base up until the power runs out,
which
may be shorter than the time required to repair the vehicle thereby leaving a
period when no information would be available about the status of the vehicle.
There is thus a need for a vehicle monitoring unit which can be turned in a
sleep
mode, where only critical events are monitored continuously, thereby reducing
the power consumption, and wherE: full activation of the vehicle monitoring
unit
is triggered after the occurrence of a given event or change of the state of
the
vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus a first object of the invention to provide a vehicle monitoring
unit
which can be placed in transparent mode to permit communication between a
device located in the vehicle and the base. It is second object of the
invention
to provide a vehicle monitoring unit which can, in some circumstances, be
placed in sleep mode.
The vehicle monitoring device is of the type including:
a power source associated with a vehicle for powering the vehicle
monitoring device;
a sensing module having a plurality of inputs for sensing a plurality of
events aboard a vehicle producing sensed data;
a computer for organizing and storing the sensed data related to the
events in an associated memory; and
a communication module operatively associated to the computer for
transmitting and receiving signals i:o and from a central location.
In accordance with the invention, the first object is achieved with a
vehicle monitoring device of the type mentioned above, where the device
further
includes at least one communication port, operatively associated with the
computer, the at least one communication port being designed to send and
receive information from a peripheral device, where the computer can open a
direct communication link between the communication port and the
communication module, whereby the peripheral device can be in transparent
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communication with the central location.
In accordance with the invention, the second object is achieved with a
vehicle monitoring device of the type mentioned above) where the device
further
includes an automatic sleep mode system including a low power
microprocessor, where the low power microprocessor is operatively connected
to at least one of the inputs of the sensing module and where the low power
microprocessor is operatively connected to the computer, whereby the
automatic sleep mode system can power down the computer when the vehicle
is turned off and the automatic sleep mode system can power up the computer
1 U when the low power microprocessor detects a change of state from the at
least
one input and whereby the automatic sleep mode system can also power up the
computer after a predetermined time interval.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood
after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred
embodiments
thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle monitoring device
according to the invention; and
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of direct communication between
a peripheral device connected to a vehicle monitoring device and a central
location according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The invention, as mentioned above, concerns a vehicle monitoring
device 1 used to monitor various events aboard a vehicle. Such a device 1
typically includes a power source ;3, which, in a preferred embodiment of the
invention, is the vehicle's battery (12V or 24V, depending on the type of
vehicle). Preferably, the power source 3 is filtered and protected by a fuse
5,
converted from a switching type internal power supply to 8.5V DC 7 and
converted again to +5V DC, to stabilize the power source. Preferably, as will
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be further detailed hereinafter, the output of the switching regulator 7 is
applied
to a +5V regulator with ON/OFF switch 9, which powers a computer 21, and to
a +5V low current regulator 11 which powers an automatic sleep mode system
41, the purpose of which will be dE;tailed hereinafter.
5 The device usually includes a sensing module 61 having a plurality of
inputs for sensing a plurality of events aboard a vehicle, the sensing module
61
producing sensed data, as will be more detailed hereinafter.
The device includes the computer 21 for organizing and storing the
sensed data related to the events in an associated memory. Furthermore, the
device also includes a communication module, operatively associated with the
computer, for transmitting and receiving signals from a central location
through
a serial port.
In a preferred embodiment, the sensing module 61 includes a plurality
of inputs 63 operatively associated with movement of the vehicle. In the case
of Fig. 1, these inputs 63 are denoted Impulse Counters, and are associated
with the speed of the vehicle and IPM of the engine, and may include other
types of pulsed data.
The sensing module 61 also includes a plurality of inputs 65 operatively
associated with the state of the vehicle and the engine, denoted Analog
Inputs,
for monitoring temperature of the engine, oil pressure, temperature inside the
cabin, temperature in the cargo hold (particularly useful for refrigerated
transport trucks), etc.
The sensing module 61 also includes a plurality of inputs 67 operatively
associated with a plurality of discrete occurrences aboard the vehicle.
Discrete
events) in the context of the present invention, denotes discrete occurrences
such as stepping on the brake pedal, opening the left or right doors, opening
a
rear door or a hatch, turning on the ignition, turning on the parking light.
At
present, in the vehicle monitoring dE:vice 1 of the invention, up to sixteen
such
discrete events may be monitored, although miniaturization of components
could allow for many more. Typically, these inputs 67 are in the form of
sensors
or switches aboard the vehicle. It should be noted that in the preferred
embodiment of the invention, these inputs 67 are not directly associated with
the computer, as will be seen hereinafter.
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It should also be noted that the above itemization of the inputs are used
for convenience only, and any other type of data can be monitored through
appropriate inputs without departing from the scope of the invention.
The vehicle monitoring device 1 as mentioned above also includes a
computer 21 for organizing and storing the sensed data related to the events
in an associated memory 23 and a communication module 81 operatively
associated with the computer for transmitting and receiving signals to and
from
a central location.
The computer 21 typically includes a reset circuit 25, a permanent
memory 27, such as a EEPROM memory containing the program needed for
performing vehicle monitoring, a work area RAM 29 and a storage RAM 31 both
part of the associated memory 23. The computer 21 may also include other
components or substitutions for the above-mentioned components, without
departing from the scope of the invention. The computer 21 is also
appropriately programmed, through the EEPROM 27, to receive the sensed
data, organize it and store it accordingly in the storage RAM 31. Preferably)
the
computer 21 also includes a real time clock 33) and the sensed data is further
time-coded for ease of retrieval and organization. However, the object of the
invention does not lie in the coding of the sensed data, since a person
skilled
in the field would tailor the coding and storing requirements according to
particular needs.
The computer 21 is also programmed to receive queries from a central
location and to respond accordingly.
The vehicle monitoring device 1 further includes a communication
module 81, operatively associated with the computer, for transmitting and
receiving signals from a central location. Accordingly, the vehicle monitoring
device 1 may, upon request from the central location or at predetermined
intervals) or upon occurrence of a given event aboard the vehicle, i.e. a door
opening, or high RPM, or low or high temperature, as examples only, transmit
all or a portion of the information stored in the storage RAM 31
Preferably, the communication module 81 includes an RS-232C
communication port 83, denoted ASSYNC SERIAL #4 on Figs. 1 and 2, which
is in communication with the computer 21 and either a radio modem 85 or a
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cellular radio module 87 (including a modem) or both. Accordingly,
communication with the central location may be effected either through radio
waves or through a cellular network. The communication module 81 further
preferably includes flow control means for controlling the flow of information
to
and from the central location) i.e. to adjust the baud rate accordingly.
It is also known to provide location means 101 ) operatively associated
with the computer, for continuously providing information to the computer for
eventual storage about the geographic location of the vehicle. Such a system
may take the form of a GPS navigational sensor 103, or a LORAN-C
navigational unit. These systems are well known in the art.
Most vehicles now also come equipped with an electronic engine control
system which is computerized, for regulating air flow) oxygen mix) etc. These
control systems usually have a communication port, useful for mechanical
diagnostic tools. The vehicle monitoring device 1 according to the invention
may thus further include an RS485 type data link interface 111 for extracting
the
information from the control system and storing it in the computer, for
eventual
review.
It is further known in the prior art to provide alarm and disabling systems
to protect vehicles. Accordingly, the vehicle monitoring system according to
the
invention may further include 8 digital driver outputs 121 for driving an
alarm
system, an internal pilot to inform a user of the activation/deactivation of
the
alarm system, and may even be used to locklunlock doors) to cut power to the
starter of the engine, fuel pump, etc.
In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 1 further
includes at least one communication port 131, preferably three as seen in
Figs.
1 and 2, operatively associated with the computer, designed to send and
receive information from a peripheral device.
This feature is particularly useful, for example, in the case where the
vehicle is equipped with a keyboard/display 133, a credit card reader 135 (or
other magnetic card reader), or a printer 137, in order to interface the
peripheral
device with the computer 21 of the device. For example, the keyboard/display
133 may display within the vehicle the information gathered by the vehicle
monitoring device 1 so that the driver, or any other person in the vehicle) is
kept
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abreast of the various sensors.
However, the possibility of adding peripheral devices to the vehicle
monitoring device 1 provides the added possibility of direct communication
between the peripheral device and the central location. For example, it is
becoming more common to provide police cars with credit card readers for on-
the-spot payment of fines such as speeding fines. The present invention seeks
to minimize the requirements of adding a peripheral device to an existing
system by allowing "transparent" communication between the peripheral device
and the central location through the computer 21 of the vehicle monitoring
device 1. Essentially) when the central location wishes to communicate with
the
peripheral device, or vice-versa, means are provided within the computer to
open a direct link between the communication port 131 on which the peripheral
device is connected and the communication module 81 of the vehicle
monitoring device as seen on Fig. 2 usually in the form of a command. The
computer 21 does not manipulate the information exchanges between the
peripheral device and the central location other than to provide basic
management functions, such as directing the information to the appropriate
port. Thus, the central location's computer (such as a PC)) "sees" the
peripheral device as if it was directly connected to it through one of its
ports.
Accordingly, and for example purposes only, a police vehicle equipped
with a magnetic card reader such as a credit card reader) upon stopping a
person accused of speeding, could write up the summons and, should the
person plead guilty on the spot, swipe the credit card of the person through
the
magnetic card reader for instant debit of the associated account from the
central location through the vehicle monitoring device.
There is furthermore a movement towards "smart cards", i.e. cards
provided with a micro-chip containing part or all of the information
associated
with the carrier. This movement is gaining widespread acceptance in health
insurance. Accordingly, magnetic card readers may also be installed in
ambulances, so that an attendant, should a person be unconscious, may be
able to obtain at least minimal information about the medical history of the
person from the central location through the vehicle monitoring device and
provide emergency treatment accordingly.
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In both of the above examples, it should be understood that the central
location must itself be in communication with the appropriate databases in
order
to provide the peripheral device in the vehicle with the information. Thus,
should information be read from a magnetic card reader requesting debit
authorization, the authorization would appear on a display or out of a
printer.
Similarly, should medical information be requested about a person, the
identity
of which is encoded in a magnetic or smart card, the desired information would
appear on a display located in the vehicle.
The transparency mode is also useful for dispatching current work
schedules to a driver or operator of the vehicle equipped with a printer, or
even
through a visual display.
It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the above peripheral
devices, but that any other devices permitting some sort of information
exchange between a central location and a vehicle through the vehicle
monitoring unit can be connected to it.
This procedure obviates the need for complicated communication
protocols between the central location, the computer on board the vehicle and
the peripheral device. Accordingly, the information that is transmitted
between
the central location and the peripheral device must be appropriately packaged,
included CRC (cyclic redundancy checks), to avoid transmission errors.
However, any appropriate type of packaging of the information is within the
skill
of an expert in this field.
An important feature of the "transparency mode" described above is that
the central location, as well as the computer on board the vehicle must both
be
able to automatically control the rate of flow of the information (baud rate),
as
mentioned above.
Preferably, the communication module communicates, in transparent
mode, through a cellular link, since a radio link has limited transfer rate
and
bandwidth.
In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the device according
to the invention further includes an automatic sleep mode system 41 which can
power down the computer 21 when the vehicle is turned off, and power the
computer 21 back up when the automatic sleep mode system 41 detects a
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change of state of the vehicle or' after a predetermined time interval. The
automatic sleep mode system 41 has as its main purpose the conservation of
power. Indeed, the vehicle monitaring device 1 of the invention, as shown on
Fig. 1, typically consumes approximately 470 milliamperes per hour. If the
engine is turned off) this current is drawn directly from the battery) which
drains
it quite rapidly. The automatic sleep mode system 41, on the other hand,
consumes at most 20 milliamperes per hour.
The automatic sleep mode system 41 includes a low power
microprocessor 43, operatively connected to the computer through, preferably,
a bidirectional communication link 45. The low power microprocessor 43 is also
operatively connected to at least one of the inputs of the sensing module 61.
Preferably, the low power microprocessor 43 is operatively connected to the
inputs 67 operatively associated with the plurality of discrete occurrences
aboard the vehicle mentioned above. Means are also provided within the
automatic sleep mode system 41 to power down the computer 21 when the
vehicle is turned off, to power up the computer 21 when the low power
microprocessor 43 detects a change of state from at least one of the inputs 67
and to power up the computer 21 after a predetermined time interval, as will
be
hereinafter detailed.
It should be noted that in the present invention) the computer 21 is the
master and the low power microprocessor 43 acts as a slave to it. Accordingly,
when the engine is turned off, the computer 21 sends a signal to the low power
microprocessor 43 trough the bidirectional link 45 authorizing it to power
down
the computer 21 and to store in memory the state of the inputs 47 prior to
power
down. When power down, or shutdown, occurs, the +5V regulator 9 with
ONIOFF switch is disconnected (turning the switch to the off state), but the
low
power microprocessor is nonetheless still connected to the power source
through the +5V low current regulator 11.
In such a case) the only inputs 67 that are monitored, as shown in Fig.
1, are the brake lights, left or rear door, etc. Should any one of the inputs
67
change state while the system is in sleep mode) the low power microprocessor
43 would automatically power up the computer 21 by switching the +5V
regulator 9 to the ON state, thereby putting the computer in normal operating
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mode. Depending on the change of state of the vehicle, the computer 21 may
be programmed to alert the central location of the change of state and provide
additional information to the central location if required.
As shown on Fig. 1, the inputs 67 are connected to a low current input
buffer 47, which transmits to the micro controller the state of the inputs 67
just
prior to powering down of the computer 21, since otherwise the inputs would
change state at shutdown and alert the low power microprocessor 43.
Furthermore, the inputs are connected to a parallel-in serial-out buffer 49
which
is in turn connected to the low power microprocessor 43 for verification of
the
state of the inputs 67, or changes thereof (during "sleep mode")
The automatic sleep mode system 41 may also be prografnmed to power
up the computer 21 at regular timE: intervals for a predetermined period of
time.
For example, should a fleet manager, located at the central location, desire
to
obtain geographic location and an updated status report on a fleet of vehicles
every hour on the hour during the night) the automatic sleep mode system 41,
provided with a clock 51, would power up the computer 21 every hour for a
predetermined period of time, such as fifteen minutes, to allow the central
location to obtain the required information.
The automatic sleep mode system 41 may also further include a target
identification interface 53. Such an interface 53 is usually a sensor upon
which
a magnetic, or otherwise coded ID member is applied. This is particularly
useful
for keeping track of who is the operator of the vehicle. If the automatic
sleep
mode system 41 does include a target identification interface 53, it is
operatively
connected to the low power microprocessor 43, so that if the system is in
sleep
mode, the insertion of the ID member into the interface 53 signals the low
power
microprocessor 43 that the vehicle will be shortly turned on, and thus the
computer 21 should be powered. Ilf the automatic sleep mode system 41 does
not include a target identification interface 53) the low power microprocessor
41
must power up the computer 21 when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on.
However, since a door would usually have to be opened prior to turning on the
ignition) the system would be powered up in any event due to the change of
state of the vehicle.
It should be evident that the power up of the computer 21 is effected by
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turning on the switch in the +5V regulator 9 with ONIOFF switch.
It should also be noted that although the invention has been described
with two preferred embodiments, both may be present in a single vehicle
monitoring device 1.
5 Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way
of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any
modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended
claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present
invention.
