EP2225732A1

EP2225732A1 - Vehicle management device

Info

Publication number: EP2225732A1
Application number: EP08779522A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Tezcan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-26
Filing date: 2008-06-23
Publication date: 2010-09-08
Also published as: EA200970742A1; CA2705507A1; WO2009082360A1

Abstract

The invention is a vehicle management device (1), 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, and comprises at least one smart card slot (1.1) housing at least one smart card where said tasks are loaded, characterized in that said device (1) comprises at least one fingerprint sensor (1.3) defined specifically for the user to enable the operation of said device (1) and at least one color touch screen (1.2) positioned as the control panel for said device (1).

Description

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 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 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 A1, 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 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. 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. 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. 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 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). 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). 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. 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 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.

Claims

1. The invention is a vehicle management device (1), 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, and comprises at least one smart card slot (1.1) housing at least one smart card where said tasks are loaded, characterized in that said device (1) comprises at least one fingerprint sensor (1.3) defined specifically for the user to enable the operation of said device (1) and at least one color touch screen (1.2) positioned as the control panel for said device (1).

2. A vehicle management device (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least one speaker (1.4) positioned on said device (1) to enable said user to listen to the voice messages and/or warning messages received from the center and/or the other users.

3. A vehicle management device (1) according to Claims 1 and 2 characterized in that it comprises at least one microphone (1.5) positioned on said device (1) to enable said user to perform voice communication with the other users and/or the headquarters.

4. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one keyboard input (1.8) that provides the connection with the device (1) for the keyboard, which is positioned to enable said user to perform written communication with the other users and/or the center, and to input commands to said device

(1).

5. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one night vision camera input (1.15) that provides the connection with the device (1) for the night vision camera, which is positioned on the vehicle to enable the road images to be viewed on the color touch screen (1.2) during the night travel of the vehicle driven by the user.

6. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one reverse gear camera input (1.15) that provides the connection with the device (1) for the reverse gear camera, which enables said user to view the road on the rear side of the vehicle on the color touch screen (1.2), as the vehicle is being reversed by said user.

7. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one white lane line camera input (1.15) that provides the connection with the device (1) for the white lane line camera, which is positioned to enable said user to monitor the road lines via the color touch screen (1.2).

8. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one in-vehicle camera input (1.15) that provides the connection with the device (1) for the in- vehicle camera positioned to enable the user to view the interior of the vehicle from different angles, via the color touch screen (1.2).

9. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one SD card slot (1.14) that houses the SD card, in which the software providing the compatibility of said device (1) with the multimedia applications is loaded.

10. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one audio/video input (1.12) positioned on the device (1), in order to watch or listen to said multimedia audio and video applications.

11. The invention is a vehicle management device (1), 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, and comprises at least one smart card slot (1.1) housing at least one smart card where said tasks are loaded, characterized in that said device (1) comprises at least one voice recognition sensor (1.5), which is defined specifically for the user to enable said device (1) to operate.

12. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one socket (1.16) and/or connector (1.17), which produces various analog/digital signals for the communication with the interior vehicle systems, measurement of the numerous values for the vehicle's electromechanical systems and the control of the vehicle systems in cases necessary, and transmits said signals to the external environment.

13. A vehicle management device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises one and/or more than one SIM cards (1.18) positioned on the device, in order to enable said device (1) to use a separate GSM operator for each country.