Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-08-21
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
C701S033000, C455S012100, C455S427000, C455S428000, C455S425000, C340S426110, C340S428000, C340S430000, C370S345000, C370S347000, C370S348000, C370S346000, C370S350000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278921
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to transferring accumulated data from a plurality of vehicles to a data processing station.
Introduction
Systems for transferring accumulated data from vehicles to a data processing station are known and an example is illustrated in international patent publication WO 90/09645. This publication details a system in which sensors on each vehicle continuously monitor sensed parameters, whereafter a record is made in a data store under the control of a processing unit. The sensed data may include road speed, engine speed, distance travelled, fuel consumption, cylinder head temperature, exhaust gas temperature, engine and transmission oil pressures and water temperature. The recorded data is transmitted by radio to a base-station as desired. The data may be transmitted automatically from each vehicle at regular intervals of time or, alternatively, the data may be transmitted when called or polled by a base-station and in a described preferred embodiment, the vehicles are polled in turn on demand or at regular intervals. The data, therefore, may be transmitted by radio to the base-station while the vehicle is on the road and, essentially, remote from said base-station.
A disadvantage of this known system is that a sophisticated radio network is required in order to facilitate the transfer of data. In many practical realisations, the cost of establishing such a network would outweigh any commercial advantages given by the monitoring system.
A hazardous waste shipment system is described in international patent publication number WO 94/07225. The system provides monitoring control to verify the location and condition of each shipment. Two-way base stations receive status and identification signals from vehicle-mounted transponders as the shipments pass by and these base stations relay the information to a central databank. The vehicle-mounted transponders may receive data from sensors that monitor the load and may actuate alarms or a message display for operator intervention. Notifications and safety instructions are also provided in the event of a mishap and the base station may relay instructions or route changes to the vehicle-mounted transponders.
For the transportation of hazardous waste, a sophisticated real-time transmission environment may be justified, given the potential problems that may arise if anything goes wrong. However, in many environments, such a sophisticated radio system could not be justified and the provision of a network of base stations would tend to be restricted to particular preferred routes.
A solution to the cost of establishing a radio network of the type required in the aforesaid known system is put forward in the United Kingdom patent publication number 2 288 892. In this system, it is proposed to transfer data using existing cellular telephony networks which facilitate the transmission of data an regular intervals. Consequently, a system of this type allows the transmission of data in real-time such that, on a sample-by-sample basis, the base-station receives information which may include fuel consumption, global positioning and related parameters assisting in the management of a fleet.
A system of this type is technically very attractive in that, at any point in time, it is possible to establish the position of all vehicles in the fleet. However, when this information is transmitted, it is necessary to effect a telephone call over a cellular or satellite radio network which, if samples are obtained at regular intervals would again significantly add to the cost of operating the system. Consequently, using a system of this type, it is likely that samples would be obtained after relatively long periods thereby significantly reducing the operational resolution.
A method of transferring accumulated data is described in European Patent Publication No 0 239 066. This proposal avoids the necessity for radio communications by accumulating data and transferring the accumulated data in non-real time. The transfer is made by storing the data in a removable device, preferably taking the form of a key-fob. Thus, as a key is removed from an operational vehicle, the data associated with that vehicle is transferred with the key, thereby allowing the data to be downloaded into a processing environment.
A problem with this known approach is that it requires the physical transfer of a device in order for the accumulated data to be downloaded. The physical size of the device will restrict the amount of data which may be accumulated in this way and data loss may also become a problem, given that the device must carry its own source of power. Furthermore, the device must be robust and requires specific activities to be performed on the part of drivers and other operators in order for the data to be collected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transferring accumulated data from a plurality of vehicles to a data processing station, comprising steps of transmitting a first packet type from each vehicle via an open radio channel in response to a predetermined operation; detecting said first packet type at a receiving station if a transmitting vehicle is within the vicinity of said receiving station; transmitting a request for data in the form of a second packet type from said receiving station upon detecting said first packet type; and transmitting a portion of said accumulated data from a detected vehicle in response to said request.
An open radio channel is one in which radio transmissions may be made without obtaining licenses and without using fee-incurring service providers. Proprietary equipment is available for use within these channels, operating at specified bandwidths and it is appreciated that the range of operation is relatively limited. Thus, a transfer of data only takes place when a vehicle is within the vicinity of the receiving station. A plurality of vehicles may download data in a multiplexed way. Only portions of the accumulated data are transmitted so that any one vehicle is only given access to the available bandwidth for relatively short bursts. Furthermore, the transmission of data from a vehicle to the receiving station is only possible after receiving an instruction to transmit data from the receiving station. Preferably, the accumulated data represents vehicle positions and said positional data may be derived by receiving radio signals from satellites.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for accumulating data from a vehicle and for transferring said accumulated data to a data processing station, comprising means for transmitting a first packet type over an open radio channel to request transmission of accumulated data; means for receiving an instruction in the form of a second packet type from a receiving station if the transmitter is within the vicinity of said receiving station; and transmitting a portion of said accumulated data in response to said received instruction.
Preferably, means are included for initiating a transmission in response to the ignition of the vehicle being turned off. Furthermore, means are preferably provided for accumulating position information in response to the vehicle ignition being turned on.
In a preferred embodiment means are provided for transmitting said packet type after a relatively random period so as to minimise the risk of vehicles transmitting data at the same time. Preferably, the apparatus includes means for detecting whether a radio channel is available prior to transmitting a packet of data.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving station for receiving accumulated data from a plurality of vehicles, comprising means for receiving a first packet type request from each vehicle via an open radio channel; transmitting means for transmitting an instruction for data in the form of a second packet type upon detecting said first packet type; and wherein said receiving means is arranged to receive portions of said accumul
Harrison Christopher G.
Morris Jeffrey C.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Mancho Ronnie
Minorplanet Limited
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
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