A FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fleet management systems that provide
the fleet owner with data regarding the vehicle and their location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to efficiently manage a fleet of vehicles, whether for haulage or
for public transport vehicles, it is essential that the travel patterns of the vehicles
are optimized. In the case of haulage trucks, for example, the cost of haulage
depends on several factors including fuel costs and highway tolls. Successful
public transportation depends on an efficient timetable which is itself dependent
on varying traffic conditions.
It is therefore useful for the fleet manager to be able to obtain
operational and performance data pertaining to the vehicle and continually record
the location of the vehicle.
It is known to record vehicle and location data utilizing units which are
installed on board the vehicle. It is also known to use Global Positioning System
(GPS) to determine a vehicle's location and speed in real time.
A disadvantage of existing systems, is the need for costly
communication equipment and a communication network between the fleet
vehicle and a central control. In addition to high initial purchasing costs, the
operation of the system is expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a fleet management system that provides the fleet owner with the essential data and GPS location information without the need for costly communication equipment or manual
downloading.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a system for the management of a fleet having a plurality of vehicles. The system includes a mobile unit installed in at least one of the plurality of vehicles for collecting and storing at least time and location data of the vehicle, an interrogation unit for downloading the stored at least time and location data from the mobile unit when the vehicle passes by the interrogation unit, and a control and management unit connectable to the interrogation unit for processing
the downloaded data from the interrogation unit so as to provide a traveling record
of the vehicle. Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the mobile unit includes a tag unit coupled to a receiver. The receiver may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The tag unit includes a transponder coupled to a built-in processor and a non-volatile memory unit coupled to the built-in processor. The tag unit furthermore includes a backup
battery unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tag unit further includes a communications link coupled to the
processor.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the memory unit includes at least one of a group consisting of: erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory and random access memory (RAM). In addition, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle includes a plurality of sensors for collecting and storing operational
performance data of the vehicle.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interrogation unit also downloads the stored operational
performance data. The interrogation unit includes a local processing unit, a communication unit coupled to the local processing unit for communicating with the control and management unit, and a transceiver coupled to the local
processing unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transceiver constantly transmits a modulated signal trigger pulse at
fixed duty cycles. The transceiver includes one of a group including: an antenna coupled to a Radio Frequency (RF) unit, an infra-red transceiver or a short range
radio transceiver.
Additionally, there is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for the management of a plurality of vehicles. The method including the steps of:
a) collecting and storing at least time and location data of the vehicle
within a mobile unit installed in at least one of the plurality of
vehicles;
b) downloading the stored data to an interrogation unit; and
c) processing the downloaded data to obtain information on the
movement of the vehicles.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the method further includes the step of collecting and storing
operational performance data of the vehicle.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the step of collecting and storing includes the steps of:
a) receiving signals from the receiver;
b) determining the time at which the signals are received and the
location and velocity of the vehicle; and
c) storing the collected data in the non-volatile memory unit.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the step of downloading includes the steps of:
a) constantly transmitting a modulated signal trigger pulse at fixed duty
cycles;
b) awaiting a response to the signal within the interrogation zone of the
interrogation unit; and
c) the tag unit responding to the signal by activating its main circuit.
In addition, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of processing includes the steps of producing performance reports and/or overlaying displays on geographical maps. The step of processing can further include the step of displaying the downloaded operational performance data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended
drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a fleet management system, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustration of the components of the fleet
management system of Fig. 1 ; and
Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the operational functions of the
fleet management system of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Reference is made to Fig. 1 , which is a schematic representation of a fleet management system, generally designated 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The fleet management system 10 is a short range vehicle to roadside communication system which comprises a mobile unit 12 installed in each vehicle
14, at least one interrogation unit 16 for communicating with the mobile unit 12,
and a control and management center 20 connectable to each interrogation unit 16. The mobile unit 12 collects and stores data while traveling and when it passes by an interrogation unit 16, communicates with the interrogation unit 16 to download the data stored in the mobile unit 12. The interrogation unit 16 may
also write data into the mobile unit 12.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustration of the components of the mobile unit
12 and interrogation unit 16, to which reference is now made.
Each mobile unit 12 comprises a tag unit 22 coupled to a Global
Positioning System (GPS) receiver 24.
Each interrogation unit 16 comprises a local processing unit 18 and a communication unit 21 by which the interrogation unit 16 communicates with the control and management center 20.
Each tag 22 unit comprises a transponder 25 coupled to a built-in processor 26 and a non-volatile memory unit 28. Preferably, each tag unit 22 also
comprises a communications link 30 coupled to processor 26. The tag unit 22, installed on the vehicle 14, is connected to the vehicle's battery.
Each tag 22 is configured to a suitable protocol. Non-limiting examples of protocols are the CALTRANS (California Department of Transportation) compliant protocol or alternatively, a protocol comprising an extended command mode including specific ReadWVrite access and TDMA (Time Division Multiple
Access). The latter protocol allows the interrogation unit 16 to communicate with
multiple tags at a time.
The tag 22 is coupled to GPS receiver 24 and is mounted on the vehicle
14, in a suitable location such as the roof of the vehicle 14, so that it may be clearly read by the interrogation unit 16. Each tag 22 contains user data relevant to the application, for example, waybill data, customs authorization, and data recording rates, which is stored in non-volatile memory unit 28. Tag 22 can be pre-loaded with data from the interrogation unit 16 by means of the tag
communications link 30.
The GPS receiver 24 is any known in the art GPS receiver and comprises an antenna 32 for continuously receiving signals from the plurality of satellites forming part of a GPS (or Satellite Positioning System (SATPS)) system.
The GPS receiver 24 continuously receives signals which identify the satellite source for each signal, and determines the time at which the signals are picked up
by antenna 32 to determine the location and velocity of the vehicle 14.
Tag communications link 30 is any suitable communications means such as a standard RS-232 interface or other similar device, which enables
communication with peripheral equipment such as a personal computer (PC), or a radio wireless data link.
The local processor 26 coupled to transponder 25 collects data from the GPS system via antenna 32 and GPS receiver 24 and stores this information in the memory unit 28 at pre-defined time intervals, one every few kilometers or whenever the vehicle travels over a certain distance, for example. The recording rate may be varied to suit specific criteria. For example, data can be recorded once per minute to provide the vehicle location tracking (along with an accurate
time tag) for a four month period of operation, which is storable in the memory unit 28. Alternatively, the tag unit 22 can be configured to record other data such as the speed of the vehicle 14 whenever it exceeds a pre-determined level.
In addition, a plurality of sensors (not shown) can be connected to the
vehicle 14 to record operational performance data, such as temperature and fuel level. The specific sensors can be defined according to the nature of the operation and type of vehicle being monitored. Thus, operational performance
data can be recorded simultaneously with the vehicle location tracking data.
Memory unit 28 preferably comprises both erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) or flash memory for the non-volatile storage of data, in addition, the
memory unit can also comprise random access memory (RAM).
In addition to downloading data from the mobile unit 12, the interrogation unit 16 may also write data into the tag 22 to update data stored within the tag memory 28. For example, a tag 22 installed on a bus can be configured to
contain timetable details. Each time the bus communicates with an interrogation unit 16, it could receive updated timetable data. In an alternative embodiment, a display screen can be coupled to the tag 22 for displaying the timetable data together with additional pertinent data, such as progress of the bus (running
ahead or behind schedule). The screen may be used for the display of other
informative messages to the vehicle driver.
Depending on the amount of data to be transferred, the read/write process is performed automatically "on-the-fly", while the vehicle 14 is moving past the interrogation unit 16. The transfer of data normally takes place without
the operator's intervention.
Referring shortly to Figs. 1 and 2, each interrogation unit 16 comprises at least one roadside transceiver (reader) 33 mounted on any suitable convenient structures (such as the main gate of a bus depot), proximate to the processing unit 18 of interrogation unit 16. The interrogation unit 16 activates the tag unit 22
of the mobile unit 12 to download the information stored in the memory unit 28.
A non-limiting example of a transceiver 33 comprising a fixed antenna
34 coupled to a Radio Frequency (RF) unit 36. Any suitable type of transceiver may be used, such as an infra-red transceiver or a short range radio transceiver.
The information from each vehicle is stored in a separate file and sent to the control and management center 20 via communication unit 21. Each file contains the vehicle identification unit and the time and date of the data download.
The interrogation unit 16 can communicate with the control and management center 20 via any suitable communications link, such as a serial
(RS232), SCSI-2 Bus, RS-422, Ethernet link or modem and telephone line. Preferably, interrogation unit 16 is configured to operate in a stand alone mode with the ability to store more than twenty four hours of transactions.
The control and management center 20 controls and processes data from each of the interrogation units 16. Management center 20 accommodates multiple readers and provides dynamic graphical display, as well as dynamic data
bases of the fleet location and status.
Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a schematic representation of the operational functions of the fleet management system 10. In operation, as vehicle 14 travels along its route, mobile unit 12 records and stores time and location data and any other data, such as vehicle speed, for which the tag unit 22 has been configured, at pre-determined intervals (referenced a.). Concurrently,
the interrogation unit 16 constantly transmits a modulated signal trigger pulse at fixed duty cycles, awaiting a signal response within the interrogation zone of the
unit, from the tag 22 of a vehicle 14 (referenced b.).
When vehicle 14 enters the interrogation zone, the monitoring circuitry of
tag 22 responds to the signal by activating its main circuit. Generally, tag 22 is fully activated and ready to decode the polling message from the interrogation unit 16 within a very short time (approximately 100μsec) of receipt and detection of a
modulated trigger pulse.
For example, if the communication CALTRANS protocol is used, data is encoded on the received carrier and the signal is reflected back to the interrogation unit 16 for decoding using a modulated backscatter technique. The
CALTRANS communication protocol enables the tag 22 to download all recorded
data into the interrogation unit 16 (referenced c). The downlink modulation (from
the interrogation unit 16) is unipolar ASK (amplitude shift keying) of the RF carrier
using Manchester (or phase) encoding. The uplink modulation scheme is
amplitude modulation of an RF carrier backscattered. The transponder base
band message signal modulates the subcarrier using FSK (frequency shift keying)
modulation.
The tag 22 is read several times during a single vehicle pass. This
multiple reading, combined with error detection protocols and high noise immunity
techniques results in the achievement of highly-reliable transactions in terms of
both data integrity and ability to read.
The downloaded data is transmitted (referenced d.) to the control and
management center 20 for processing (referenced e.). Performance reports can
be produced and overlays displayed on geographical maps, for instance, to
illustrate the travel statistics of the vehicle. The actual vehicle schedule can be
compared to the planned schedule of the vehicle.
The operational performance data gathered from other sensors in the
vehicle (described hereinabove), which has been downloaded can also be
displayed.
Unlike prior art systems, the present invention does not require an
expensive communication network between the fleet vehicles and the control
center in order to manage the fleet.
Anti fraud tag authentication techniques and encryption capability, combined with read/write passwords, for example, can be incorporated within the system to ensure secure transactions and to ensure that the data contained in the tag may not be duplicated or changed by unauthorized personnel. The interrogation unit 16 is can utilize existing infrastructures for installation. It will be appreciated by person knowledgeable in the art that the since the fleet management system 10 is not restricted to receiving signals from a GPS system but is a general purpose vehicle to roadside communication device
which can be used for other applications, such as toll collection, weigh in motion
and electronic bill of lading, for example.
It will be further appreciated by person knowledgeable in the art that the above description is not restricted to the interrogation unit 16 communicating with a one tag at a time but can be simultaneously communicate with several tags,
provided each tag is located within the beam of antenna 34. It will be further appreciated that the present invention is not limited by
what has been described hereinabove and that numerous modifications, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention, exist. Rather the scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow: