GB2439398A

GB2439398A - Updating hired vehicle status via a wireless network

Info

Publication number: GB2439398A
Application number: GB0612597A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Timothy Hudson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-26
Filing date: 2006-06-26
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: GB0612597D0

Abstract

A vehicle leasing company 14 remains in wireless contact with the client or driver via a mobile unit 12 mounted on the vehicle or machine 13, which holds base data such as vehicle and contract details and can be used to request services or maintenance via a secure website 20 run by a server 10. The services may be supplied by a third party 18 and monitored by IT infrastructure at the driver's own company 16, all via the server 10. The machine-mounted unit 12 uses mobile phone technology such as SMS messaging and GPRS, and the user enters eg. mileage or customer satisfaction information via keypad and screen 26.

Description

Method of Data Exchange The present invention relates to a method of

data exchange between a machine company providing a machine or other apparatus (or services in respect of the machine or apparatus) to others and an operator of that machine. In particular it relates to a method by which data may be collected from the machine and by which an operator of the machine may request the provision of services.

The present invention is particularly adapted to be used in respect of a machine or appliance supplied to another under a lease agreement. Herein the term "leased machine" will often be used to refer to the machine and this term encompasses any device owned by a leasing company and used by an operator under a lease therefrom. However the present invention is also very useful in allowing data exchange between a person providing services, such as mechanical repair, and the operator of any machine that requires such services, whether the machine is leased or owned. The term leased machine may also as the context requires include non-leased machines.

Any machine that may be so operated is encompassed within the meaning of the term, but primarily it is envisaged that the present invention will be used in respect of leased vehicles such as cars, commercial vehicles, construction equipment and agricultural vehicles. The term "leased machine" also encompasses fixed machinery used in the domestic, commercial and industrial environment. The present invention is particularly adapted for use with respect to vehicles and will be primarily described with reference to these.

P14245-SP-O1.doc 26f0&06 When operating leased machinery it is important and often a requirement that the leasing organisation (lessor) and the person taking the lease (lessee) remain in contact to provide certain information concerning the ongoing state and condition of the leased equipment. This allows both parties to track compliance with the terms of the lease. The lessor can ensure that the leased equipment is property handled by the lessee and that the minimum standard of care is adhered to. Further, the lessee may need to contact the lessor to gain access to services falling within the scope of the lease, such as repair and upgrade.

Maintaining adequate communication between the relevant parties can prove difficult to achieve in practice and can lead to poor exchange of data.

Problems can be particularly acute in circumstances where the leased machinery is a vehicle. In these cases the operator of the vehicle may be an employee of the lessee and, whilst the lessee is responsible for compliance with the terms of the lease, they may have little practical control over the day-to-day running of the equipment which is often handled by the operator.

Furthermore, communication from the leasing company and associated service providers will be significantly interrupted by the necessity of existing systems to route through the operator's employer.

For these and other reasons the mechanisms by which an operator of leased machinery and a leasing company can communicate to exchange data and ensure correct compliance with the lease and operation of the leased equipment are wholly unsatisfactory. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a significantly improved mechanism that permits a high P14245-SP-O1.doc 26lO6O6 degree of automation in existing forms of communication and permits a far greater degree of interaction between the operator and the teasing company.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of data exchange between a machine company and an operator of a machine comprising: -providing on the machine a machine-mounted unit, which machine-mounted unit has a data input means to be controlled by the operator; a display visible by the operator; and an electronic data storage; -providing a remote central server accessible by the machine leasing company that can communicate with the machine-mounted unit through a -the initial configuration of the machine-mounted unit including the loading by the operator of machine specific data using the data input means, in response to a request therefor generated by the server or vehicle-mounted unit and displayed on the display, which machine specific data is stored in the data storage and uploaded to the server; generation by the operator on the machine-mounted unit of a message, as required by the operator or in response to a request from the server, which message contains machine condition information and machine specific data from the data storage; -secure transmission of the message through the communication network to the server; -generation of a reply message by the server, or by a third party in response to a request from the server; and P14245-SP-Q1.doc 2&l06106 -transmission of the reply message to the machine-mounted unit for display to the operator.

The machine company may be a machine leasing company and the machine may be a machine of some sort leased from the machine leasing company. The rest of the specification will tend to describe the present invention with respect to this use, but the system may be used to prove data exchange between non-leased machines an the machine company in order that he machine company may provide or organise the provision of various services to the operator.

The data input means of the machine-mounted unit may comprise any suitable arrangement by which the operator can input data. This might conveniently comprise an alphanumeric keypad such as is found on a mobile telephone. The data input means might also include one or more multi-function button whose functionality may alter under the control of the machine-mounted unit. Such a multi-function button could perform different tasks in response to a single touch from the operator, the task being dependent upon the circumstances, and under the control of software within the unit. For example, the operator might press one such button to initiate a request to book a maintenance service. In such circumstances the data stored within the machine-mounted unit could be transmitted to the server along with the request in order to initiate the appropriate chain of events.

The display provided within the machine-mounted unit needs to be sufficient to provide relevant information to the user. This information will usually be in a text form and consequently a simple LCD-type display screen will often suffice, although the exact nature of this display screen is not critical.

P14245-SP-O1.doc 26106/06 The present invention provides several advantages. One major advantage provided to the operator is the ability to make simple direct requests to the server, and so the lessor (which term in the context of this application includes the machine company even if the machine is not leased) for the provision of various services. Such service requests are initiated by the operator on the machine-mounted unit, as a result of which the machine-mounted unit generates a message that is transmitted to the server. That message contains operator and machine specific data derived from that stored within the unit, as well as anything specifically entered for the task by the operator. In response to such service requests the server arranges the provision of the service, either directly or by means of one or more third party service providers. If operating via a third party service provider, the third party can, when provided with the required data, communicate directly with the machine-mounted unit to provide that service. Alternatively it may communicate through the server.

The services that the operator may arrange through this mechanism are many and varied, but in the present instance several particular services are likely to be most commonly provided. For example, the operator may request the provision of emergency repair in the circumstances that a malfunction has occurred in the machine. If the machine is a vehicle which has suffered a mechanical breakdown, for example a burst tyre, the operator may request the provision of an appropriate repair. In response to this request the server may arrange through an appropriate third party provider the provision of an appropriate service. Scheduled maintenance, the payment of tolls and charges (such as congestion charges), the provision of travel P14245-SP-Ol.doc 26106/06 information, the provision of directory information, or even submission of a request to be contacted by the machine company or a third party service provider may all be types of service that the operator can request through the machine-mounted unit.

When the operator requests a service, the server processes the message it receives and either arranges the provision of that service or instructs a third party to arrange its provision. Following arrangement the server or the third party provides information concerning that service, such as the time and location of a garage at which a vehicle is to be repaired, and forwards that message to the operator.

The present invention may also provide a mechanism by which customer satisfaction concerning the service provided can be automatically collected and distributed. In such circumstances, upon completion of a particular service a request message will be transmitted from the server to the machine-mounted unit and information on satisfaction inputted by the operator. This inputted information may be transmitted again to the server where it is stored and appropriately directed to the service provider as feedback.

A further significant advantage of the present invention is that it permits direct contact between a lease company and an operator of a vehicle who, as mentioned above, may not be the lessee. It is of particular importance to leasing companies that the usage of a leased vehicle or machine be tracked as payment may depend upon the amount of use made. The present invention may therefore provide a mechanism by which this information can be requested from the operator directly. For example, the server may P14245-SP-Ol.doc 28106106 periodically generate a request which is transmitted to the machine-mounted unit. This request may, for example, prompt the user to enter the current mileage of the vehicle. Such usage tracking information might for a static machine include running time or cycle throughput (for example, on a photocopier the number of copies made might be appropriate). On receipt of the request the operator could provide this information and the machine-mounted unit could then transmit it back to the server. This would permit proper auditing and record keeping concerning the usage of the leased machine.

The method of the present invention also provides a mechanism by which periodic or exceptional information may be provided to the operator.

For example, in a vehicle an MOT test must be carried out annually and by a particular date. The data stored within the server concerning the particular vehicle may be used to generate a reminder message at an appropriate point before the expiry of the previous MOT certificate.

The machine-specific data loaded into the machine-mounted unit, either by the operator or another set-up agent, should contain sufficient information to identify the machine and permit contact with the operator. Such information in respect of a leased vehicle could include the make and model of vehicle, the registration number and date, the vehicle identification number, information concerning the conditions of the lease and servicing requirements, data concerning the name and contact details of the operator.

The server will implement both a machine interface for requests from units and other IT systems and a human interface for operator control. The human interface will be presented as a secure web site. The parties may use P14245-SP-Q1doc 26106106 such a web interface to view reports on usage, and to handle requests from users. To access the human interface, for example when away from the vehicle, an operator must log- on to the system using a username and password. Administrators have access to a separate set of controls which allow them to add and delete operators, change which parts of the system operators are allowed to access, and view logs of operator actions. The central server will display requests from devices as a work queue, which can be sorted and grouped by several attributes, including severity and date. A user with the correct permissions can access a request and record the action they have taken. Each request will have a list of events on that request, from when the user entered the request on the device to when the request is marked as complete.

In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, the use of the present invention with respect to leased machines will now be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a representation of the system for putting the present invention into effect showing communication between the various components; Figure 2 is a flow diagram describing initial configuration of a machine-mounted unit; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing a sample process in which a driver of a vehicle requests a service using the method of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a generalised representation of a system for carrying out the method according to the present invention. A server 10 is in wireless P14245-3P-O1.doc 2610W06 communication with a mobile unit 12 mounted within a leased vehicle 13.

Communication between the server 10 and the mobile unit 12 is through a wireless network such as a mobile phone network and uses known technology such as SMS messaging and GPRS. Wireless communication over the network is depicted by dotted lines. The solid lines show data exchange that may be hardwired or otherwise. The server 10 is controlled or operated by a leasing company 14 which may also interact with the server if it is not directly providing it. The software and control systems of the leasing company, represented by box 14, may be integrated with the server 10 as indicated by box 15.

Circle 16 represents a lessee organisation or, more particularly the IT infrastructure of such an organisation, who have leased the vehicle 13 from the leasing company 14. This organisation is able to interact with the server to provide information concerning the leased vehicle 13 as well as monitoring the operator and the exchange between the unit 12 and the server 10. One or more third party supplier 18 may also interact with the server and subsequently directly with the unit 12 to provide or arrange the provision of particular services. Further, a web interface 20 may be provided to permit the accessing through the Internet of data from the server, such an interface being provided potentially for the operator of the vehicle or for other interested parties.

The mobile unit 12 mounted in the vehicle 13 would be approximately the size of a mobile phone, but is displayed in Figure 1 larger for clarity. It comprises a self-contained device having a power supply and may be charged as appropriate either from the vehicle power source or otherwise.

P14245-SP-O1 doc 26106106 The unit has a data input means comprising three one-touch buttons 22 and a selection of alpha numeric keys 24. A screen 26 is provided which displays messages to the operator and can be used when inputting data. This unit would also include a processor and a memory adapted to run the control software as well as a suitable transmitter receiver assembly for communication through the wireless network with the server or other parties.

In this drawing only one vehicle is shown and only one third party supplier is depicted, however the present invention allows for many leased vehicles to be controlled and monitored by a single server as well as providing access to a whole range of third party service providers. Further, many different lessees 16 can access the system to provide or download data that concerns their leased vehicles and operators.

When a leased vehicle is initially to be provided with a mechanism to allow the method of the present invention to be carried out it must first be configured appropriately. Figure 2 shows a simplified flow diagram representing the stages in a possible configuration routine. The first stage of the process 30 involves obtaining an appropriate unit for mounting on the vehicle. This unit is then provided with base data concerning the vehicle, the contract details and the information concerning the operator that is available.

The unit is then mounted in the vehicle or supplied to the operator for mounting therein. Following this the server contacts the user to confirm installation of the unit and initial set-up, and requests the input of certain further data. Such further data might include expanded contact details for the operator as well as their preferences of mode of operation. Such additional information could be provided to the server by means other than through the P14245-$P-Qldoc 28IOO6 -11 -unit, and once loaded thereon could be uploaded over the wireless network to the unit. Alternatively, the unit may be used to enter this data, in which case it is the server which is updated by message from the unit. After this, confirmation of the unit's activation is forwarded to the operator and displayed upon the unit's screen 26. The unit is now ready for operation.

The unit, as now set-up, remains in the vehicle and can be used for a variety of purposes as previously described. For example, the server might broadcast messages to the operator, but more importantly the device provides a mechanism for two way flow of data between the operator and the server.

This can be used particularly to keep the server updated with critical information but also to provide a simplistic mechanism by which the operator may request the provision of certain services in respect of the leased vehicle.

In Figure 3 a flow diagram depicts the process by which a particular service might be obtained. Such a service might, as discussed above, comprise an annual or periodic maintenance check, an emergency repair or roadside assistance, or indeed some alternative service such as the payment of a congestion charge.

At step 40 in Figure 3 the driver of a vehicle activates the unit and requests a particular service. In practice this would require the use of the data input means to initiate a particular service call. The one-touch buttons could be configured dynamically to provide simple access to commonly required functions such as a periodic maintenance check. Following initiation of this request in step 41 the unit decides whether or not the service requested requires the provision of additional information. If information over and above that already stored within the device is required the driver is prompted at step P14245-SP-O1.doc 26106106 42 to provide that additional information. The appropriate data confirming the service request is then packaged into a message and sent to the server through the wireless network at step 43. When the data is received at step 44 by the server a confirmation message is returned through the wireless network to the server for display on the unit at step 45. The server then processes the received request and at step 46 takes a decision as to whether or not the requested service requires the input of a third party service provider. If a third party service provider is involved the server generates a request which is directed to the third party at step 47. In step 48 the unit receives and displays a message concerning the requested service and the next steps required to provide it. This message may be received from the server directly, from a third party supplier directly or from that third party via the server. If, in response to this, yet further information is required it may be provided by the operator at this stage, but generally speaking sufficient information will have been collected and sent in the initial request at step 43.

Consequently, if for example the requested service is a maintenance check, the driver may be provided in the return message with a time and place for the service to be carried out and possibly contact details of the organisation in case direct contact is required.

Following the provision of the service to the operator, the service provider, whether that is a third party or the server, provides confirmation that the requested service has been completed. This is depicted at step 49 which then leads on to step 50 in which a message is transmitted to the unit informing the operator of completion of the service and requesting them to provide confirmation that it has indeed been completed. Following this, at P14245-SP-O1.doc 2&06/06 step 51 the operator may be transmitted a message requesting them to enter a satisfaction rating concerning the performance of the service. The operator provides the requested information through the unit, which then generates a return message to the server. Upon receipt of this return message at step 52 this data is logged and is compared to the minimum satisfaction levels required. If this comparison at step 53 demonstrates that the minimum standard has not been reached, the driver of the vehicle or other appropriate party may be contacted at step 54 to provide feedback as to any shortcomings. If the satisfaction level is sufficient, at step 55 the data is recorded and used for management reporting, for example to rate the performance of third party suppliers.

The machine-mounted unit of the present invention will be the operator interface part of a communication loop that will facilitate the two-way communication between the operator and the machine company and/or service provider. The machine company will be able to use the present invention in order to communicate with the operator to send messages or to request information about the machine or user satisfaction.

The machine-mounted unit will have stored and loaded therein software that will enable it to be used for the logical collection, retention, transmission and reception of data. In fact the machine- mounted unit may be a mobile phone that has been reprogrammed to provide the required functionality.

The machine-mounted unit may be a small device integrated with the machine, but it is highly preferable that it is portable between machines. It may be a hand-held unit approximately the size of a mobile phone in a P14245-SP-O1.doc 26106106 suitable protective enclosure, such as a small plastic enclosure. It may have a membrane keypad, with 18 keys, and a small, text only, LCD display. It may contain a lithium-ion battery capable of supporting several days of normal operation, and it may come with an adapter to charge the battery from the machine, such as through the cigarette lighter socket in a car.

The unit will contain enough non-volatile memory to store both its own operating software and any data which it has not yet delivered to the central server, or which is to be stored in the unit. If the battery runs flat, the unit will not lose any records.

The device will be able to receive software upgrades and configuration data over the wireless network, without any manual intervention from the operator. These upgrades may happen at any time, preferably when the machine-mounted unit is idle. The device will not usually have a power button accessible to the user in normal operation, so will remain on permanently.

The unit will retain basic data on the, operator including their contact details (home/office/mobile telephone no., e-mail) and preferences, as well as data on the equipment details (registration number, model description) and the contract details (service contract details). Some of this data such as the contract details may change and may be updated remotely from the server.

The present invention can be used for a variety of functions. Below is an example of how in the context of use in a leased vehicle the unit may be used to capture mileage data.

1. The operator will press the "Mileage Key", which is one of the multifunctiori buttons.

P14245-SP-O1doc 26106/06 2. The screen will display "Please enter current mileage reading".

3. The operator will enter the current mileage by keying in the data using the key pad.

4. The entered mileage will display on the screen and the unit will request the operator to confirm its accuracy. For example it may display the message "Press ENTER if correct or BACK to incorrect".

5. Upon pressing ENTER the screen will display "Request confirmed".

6. At this point the device will send the data to the server or store for subsequent transmission.

The user may also from time to time enter mileage into the unit, which will log these readings. The unit will periodically send these logs to the server at an appropriate time. If the driver does not remember to enter mileage, the unit will prompt the driver at configurable intervals.

The screen will display messages returned from the server. These may be acknowledgement of requests, or messages broadcast to users of the system.

The present invention provides various significant benefits. To leasing company these include the following: -Increased penetration of preferred supply networks.

-Direct access to the operator in the vehicle/place of operation.

-Provides tracking of third party service providers.

-Enables customer satisfaction surveys to be carried out electronically.

P14245-SP-O1.doc 2&06/O6 -Provides validation of key vehicle/machinery data with every request.

-Provides mileage/usage tracking.

-Enables two-way communication with the operator.

For the operator the benefits include: -Enables easy access to support network.

-Provides easy access to services such as automatic congestion charge payment.

-Provides reminders for key service interval information.

-Provides easy access to recall information etc. -Provides easy access to service providers and leasing company.

-Provides mobile tracking of key vehicle data.

For the employers of people operating machinery, especially commercial vehicles that are away from employers for long periods, the system can also provide a means of auditable contact with the driver to ensure compliance with duty of care issues.

As mentioned the present invention is applicable to data exchange with non-leased machines. In such context the machine company could be providing a service that permits the operators of machines to easily access services (either from the machine company or third parties) or to exchange data, again either solely with the machine company or third parties.

P14245-SP-O1.doc 26106106

Claims

Claims 1. A method of data exchange between a machine company and an

operator of a machine comprising: -providing on the machine a machine-mounted unit, which machine-mounted unit has a data input means to be controlled by the operator; a display visible by the operator; and an electronic data storage; -providing a remote central server accessible by the machine company that can communicate with the machine-mounted unit through a wireless communication network; -the initial configuration of the machine-mounted unit including the loading by the operator of machine specific data using the data input means, in response to a request therefor generated by the server or vehicle-mounted unit and displayed on the display, which machine specific data is stored in the data storage; -generation by the operator on the machine-mounted unit of a message, as required by the operator or in response to a request from the server, which message contains machine condition information and machine specific data from the data storage; -secure transmission of the message through the communication network to the server; -generation of a reply message by the server, or by a third party in response to a request from the server; and P14245-SP-O1.doc 2&06/06 -transmission of the reply message to the machine-mounted unit for display to the operator.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine company is a machine leasing company and the machine is leased from the company.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the data input means on the machine-mounted unit include an alphanumeric keypad and data is input by manual activation of the keys.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the data input means on the machine-mounted unit include a plurality of multifunction one-touch buttons that generate a message to the server.

5. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display screen.

6. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the message includes a request from the operator for a service to be provided.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein in response to the service request the server communicates with a third party service provider to arrange the provision of said service to the operator.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the requested service includes; the provision of emergency repair, the provision of scheduled maintenance; the payment of tolls and charges, the provision of travel information, the provision of directory information, or a call back from the machine company or third party service provider.

P14245-SP-Oldoc 2&06106 9. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a request from the server is sent to the machine-mounted unit to ask that the operator provide details concerning mileage, operating time or machine inspection data.

10. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the machine condition information includes one or more of machine location, operational status, mileage or operation time and failure information.

11. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the machine is a vehicle.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vehicle is a car, commercial vehicle, boat, plane, agncultural vehicle or construction vehicle.

13. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the server can provide information messages to the operator.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

P1 4245-SP-O1.doc 2O6iO6