WO2005052884A1

WO2005052884A1 - Driver and vehicle status communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2005052884A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2004/000310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Warren James Dickson
Original assignee: Remote Control Limited
Priority date: 2003-11-28
Filing date: 2004-11-29
Publication date: 2005-06-09

Abstract

This invention relates to a driver and vehicle status communication system including sensor means to sense the status of the vehicle’s load (4) and/or specific vehicle equipment (5), vehicle positioning means (2) to establish the location of the vehicle, data transmitting and receiving means (3) to enable data to communicated to and from the vehicle from an external location, data processing means (1) to receive and process data received from the said sensor means and the data transmitting and receiving means (3), said system characterized in that the said data processing means includes a data to voice conversion means and an audio output means (8) to output information to a said driver in audible form, said system further including a driver acknowledgement means (6) to enable a said driver to provide an acknowledgement of receipt of any said information.

Description

DRIVER AND VEHICLE STATUS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to the automated delivery of data to a vehicle driver using electronic data-to-speech conversion.

BACKGROUND ART The use of mobile data terminals and similar electronic devices and computers in vehicles for business operation and automation activities is rapidly becoming ubiquitous. These devices use radio communications to receive and transmit data to and from the vehicle to other vehicles and static locations such as a central office. Scheduling, job routing and other information is typically delivered to a vehicle driver using an electronic display. The driver may respond using a keypad or touch screen to input data and acknowledgements.

A widely recognised use of such systems is in the taxi industry, where drivers communicate with dispatch centres using such keypad input devices.

However, such known systems have significant disadvantages. A driver's occupation is to drive, safe driving is of paramount importance to all road users, and also to taxpayers who in most jurisdictions ultimately front a significant proportion of the cost of road accidents. Use of traditional mobile data terminal style devices while driving compromises safe driving - while the driver's eyes are looking at a display reading and interpreting the information, his or her eyes are not focused on the road. The more complex interaction that is required, the more of a distraction, and thus driving hazard, exists. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of delivering information to a vehicle driver in such a manner as to overcome the driving safety hazard discussed above, and also to allow the driver to operate more efficiently and effectively, or at least to provide a driver information system which provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broadest aspect the invention provides a driver and vehicle status communication system including sensor means to sense the status of the vehicle's load and/or specific vehicle equipment, vehicle positioning means to establish the location of the vehicle, data transmitting and receiving means to enable data to communicated to and from the vehicle from an external location, data processing means to receive and process data received from the said sensor means and the data transmitting and receiving means, said system characterized in that the said data processing means includes a data to voice conversion means and an audio output means to output information to a said driver in audible form, said system further including a driver acknowledgement means to enable a said driver to provide an acknowledgement of receipt of any said information.

A Driver is employed to drive a vehicle. Technology has forced a driver to perform many other administrative functions, while driving. This requires training beyond holding a drivers license and compromises a fundamental requirement of driving safety. A key advantage of the present invention is that it automatically captures data from the vehicle using sensors and delivers information to the driver using voice, rather than visual means.

Preferably the vehicle equipment sensors monitor ignition operation, panic buttons, air-bags, engine and transmission alerts and other vehicle sensors. Preferably also the present invention includes driver status sensors such as driver SOS. Such a sensor may take the form of an emergency token worn by the driver in case of emergency. When token is separated an RF signal is sent to the data transmitting means which generates an emergency status signal.

Optimally the vehicle positioning means comprises GPS unit.

Advantageously the data transmitting and receiving means comprises a trunked radio.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: Illustrates a prior art example of a status communications device; Figure 2: Illustrates a schematic layout of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3: Illustrates the operative advantages of the present invention over the prior art by comparative reference to figure 1 ; and Figure 4: Illustrates an automated fleet management system incorporating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the method of operation of a prior art vehicle status communication device. The driver is required to have considerable input into the collection of data and has responsibility for ensuring that status activations occur at the correct times. This is drstracting from the driving and delivery function, and so often either results in questionable safety practises, or in data integrity being compromised by failure to input status changes at the correct times.

As shown in figures 1 to 3, the present invention provides an innovative business tool for automating vehicle data communications. It's primary function is to automatically collect data and deliver it to dispatch and logistics systems, thereby removing any need for the driver to enter significant data. This results in a significant improvement in data integrity and timeliness of the vehicle status information, improving fleet efficiency. Instead of using mobile data terminals or display technology the present invention converts messages to the driver via data converted to speech and output through a loudspeaker. This enables the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road while receiving messages and instruction.

In its preferred form the invention provides a driver and vehicle status communication system including various sensor means to sense the status of the vehicle's load 4 and specific vehicle equipment such as ignition operation 5, panic buttons 7, air-bags, engine and transmission alerts and other vehicle sensors, vehicle positioning means 2 in the form of a GPS unit to establish the location of the vehicle, data transmitting and receiving means in the form of a trunked radio 3 to enable data to communicated to and from the vehicle from an external location, data processing means 1 to receive and process data received from the said sensor means 4-7 and the data transmitting and receiving means 3, said system characterized in that the said data processing means 1 includes a data to voice conversion means and an audio output means to output information to a said driver in audible form 8, said system further including a driver acknowledgement means 7 to enable a said driver to provide an acknowledgement of receipt of any said information. Inputs for connection to external sensors such as, ignition, panic, air-bags, alerts and other vehicle sensors.

Key advantages of the present invention are that it provides timely and accurate status and location information to centralised dispatch and distribution management centre, because of the simplified driver interface it reduces driver input errors. This enables increased vehicular asset utilisation. Further, as the driver is able to maintain a focus on the road, rather than reading a display significant occupation, health and safety benefits are derived. Because of the simplified mode of driver communication, including the driver acknowledgement function, the driver gets to exercise a degree of control over any stepwise process advancement in circumstances that do not require him or her to have any significant typing or IT skills.

In its preferred for the present invention includes an integrated GPS device, geo-fence location based status data, sensor based status information providers, to automatically, for example, establish loaded or unloaded status, a text to speech voice engine for communication with the driver together with an associated volume control, a single button driver acknowledgement function, a single LED warning indicator, integrated industry specific business logic programmed into the processing unit on the vehicle, and an automatic out of sequence recovery function.

Preferably the system further includes wrong load/unload destination warnings, and vehicle travelling while discharging warnings, which are significant to be able to establish and refute wrongly made accusations of spillage by Authorities.

The present invention automates, simplifies and improves the performance of vehicle fleet management systems and operational processes. Preferably the fleet management system consists of a driver and vehicle status communication system of the present invention fitted to the vehicle and a Windows based configuration program and data delivery service. Optimally these components integrate with existing assets, processes and information systems.

The system of the present invention is operable over a range of wireless network types. Preferably the hardware design allows for connection of any external serial RS232 wireless device. The associated software design allows for device drivers to be installed to provide the logical interface to any network type. Communication can be via, for example, MAP27 protocol over a trunked radio network.

Alternatively communication can be via a GSM protocol driver. GSM supports two possible data protocols. In that regard, a modem like connection which establishes a 9600bps connection the same as a conventional PSTN dial-up modem on a land-line can be used. This typically incurs the normal per minute cost of a voice call. Alternatively short message service, SMS, which is the the most ubiquitous personal communications used today, can be used which allows short messages to be packeted into a message.

As the present invention can communicate by sending short event based message both the above methods are suitable and dependent mainly on the deal with the telecoms provider and operational cost.

A further alternative is GPRS, which supports an always connected data link over which industry standard communications protocols can be implemented such as UPD, TCP & PPP. Typically this is preferred when high volumes of high speed data transfer is needed. The driver and vehicle status communication system automates, simplifies and improves the performance of dispatch and vehicle fleet management systems and operational processes.

The fleet management system of the present invention incorporates smart business logic to manage exceptions and automatic out of sequence correction. It further incorporates out of service status buffering with time stamping, sensors for loading and unloading, for example, on aggregate tipper and concrete agitator trucks, voice disconnection warning, senses Stop/Start and stuck in traffic, discharging on road warning and driver emergency SOS pendant input.

The system consists of a driver and vehicle status communication system fitted to the vehicle and a Windows based configuration program and data delivery service. These components integrate with existing assets, processes and information systems.

A Geo-fence Module provides data that increases operational efficiency and timeliness by automating and improving manual business process, monitors and improves vehicle and driver performance and safety, and provides accurate vehicle location data.

The Geo-fence Module automatically: - Sends a message when the vehicle arrives or leaves a location

- Sends a message when inputs are activated

- Audibly reports statuses & messages to the driver

- Responds to requests for current location and status

The system of the present invention can further include vehicle communications server (VCS) software that integrates the present invention with communication networks and a computerized dispatch system. The software receives statuses from the vehicle, delivers them to a command system and transmits job information from the command system to the vehicle and driver. Seamless integration to command project and order entry, ticketing and tracking and scheduling is provided. The software is operable over both trunk radio (Map27) and cellular communications networks.

Optionally the software operates with the Status Automator Management System software and shares a database that contains the configuration of vehicle to network ID.

The Status Automator Management system (SAMS) software is a tool to manage the configuration of the Status Automator on the vehicle. The entire vehicles configuration is stored in a database and sent to the vehicle "over air" saving the cost of a technician having to get to the vehicle to make changes.

Features of SAMS include: - Set-up of geo-fences for regularly visited locations

- Set-up of vehicles, group profiles, configuration details and parameters

- Sending configurations to vehicles

- Remote diagnostics tools

Preferably the present invention further includes a command MAP module that integrates with a despatch system to obtain the latitude and longitude (geo-code) of a job location when an order is entered. This again ensures^' seamless integration to command project and order entry, ticketing and tracking and scheduling is provided. The software allows the operator to easily either enter a street address, suburb and city and obtain the geo-code, or locate and select the job location on a map to obtain the geo-code.

The geo-code is sent to the system of the present invention on the truck when the job ticket is printed so the system can accurately report the arrive site and leave site statuses.

Wherein the foregoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A driver and vehicle status communication system including sensor means to sense the status of the vehicle's load and/or specific vehicle equipment, vehicle positioning means to establish the location of the vehicle, data transmitting and receiving means to enable data to communicated to and from the vehicle from an external location, data processing means to receive and process data received from the said sensor means and the data transmitting and receiving means, said system characterized in that the said data processing means includes a data to voice conversion means and an audio output means to output information to a said driver in audible form, said system further including a driver acknowledgement means to enable a said driver to provide an acknowledgement of receipt of any said information.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle equipment sensors monitor ignition operation, panic buttons, air-bags, engine and/or transmission alerts.

3. The system of claim 1 further including driver status sensors in the form of an emergency token worn by the driver in case of emergency such that when the token is separated an RF signal is sent to the data transmitting means which generates an emergency status signal.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle positioning means comprises a GPS unit.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the data transmitting and receiving means comprises a trunked radio. A vehicle fleet management system incorporating vehicles fitted with the driver and vehicle status communication system of claim 1.