BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 of the drawing is a perspective view of the compact display unit;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the compact display unit operatively connected to other communications components;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the mobile satellite communications system; and
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view showing a vehicle and selected components of a mobile computing platform.
Regarding the drawing figures, to the extent that subscripts to the numerical designations include the lower case letter “n,” as in “a-n,” the letter “n” is intended to express a number of repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscripts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a compact display unit 10 is provided that in its broadest context includes a housing 12. An array of buttons 14 is positioned on housing 12. Array of buttons 14 is adapted to activate display unit 10. A monitor 16 is mounted in housing 12. The monitor 16 is adapted to visually present a range of programmable permissive communications 18a-f to a vehicle operator. A mobile server 20 is included. Mobile server 20 is mounted in the vehicle 22 and is operatively connected to the monitor 16. Mobile server 20 is capable of transmitting messages to, and receiving messages from, a remote server 24 in a mobile satellite communications system 26, which includes a mobile computing platform 38, selected components of which are illustrated in FIG. 4.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a compact display unit 10 may be mounted on a vehicle 22 shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 3-4. Optionally, compact display unit 10 may be removably mounted in vehicle 22 adjacent to and within comfortable viewing range of a vehicle operator on a gimbals device. Alternatively, the compact display unit 10 is sufficiently compact and lightweight to be removably mounted in vehicle 22 using double-sided Velcro® arrangements. The compact display unit 10 is operable by a vehicle operator while a vehicle 22 is either stationary or moving.
Array of buttons 14 is positioned on housing 12 of the compact display unit 10 within comfortable reach of the vehicle operator. Array of buttons 14 is used by the vehicle operator to activate compact display unit 10 to initiate communications over the compact display unit 10. Array of buttons 14 includes icons on the individual buttons 14a-n. The icons instruct the vehicle operator what activation step each button performs. For example, a “home” icon on individual button 14a is used by the vehicle operator to open a communications channel to a menu of communication options a user may select.
The monitor 16 mounted in housing 12 of compact display unit 10 includes a touch screen 28 that presents to the vehicle operator a range of programmable permissive communications 18a-f as shown in FIG. 1 in diagrammatic and graphic form. By touching programmable permissive communications 18a, for example, the vehicle operator can report to a vehicle dispatcher that a mechanical problem exists in connection with vehicle 22. The range of programmable permissive communications 18a-f is purposefully brief and limited for safety reasons: compact display unit 10 is provided for use by a vehicle operator during operation, movement, or transit of a vehicle 22 (collectively, “operation”). A vehicle operator, for example, may have navigation questions or problems to discuss with a vehicle dispatcher. Accordingly, compact display unit 10 requires only minimal finger movements by a vehicle operator to initiate and conduct communications about such emergency situations using compact display unit 10. For the same reason, a conventional keyboard is not connectable to compact display unit 10 to avoid operator distraction during vehicle operation.
As shown in FIG. 2, mobile server 20 is mounted in vehicle 22 and is operatively connected to the monitor 16 of compact display unit 10. Mobile server 20 is included to transmit messages sent by a vehicle operator by using touch screen 28 to send messages to a remote server 24, as well as to receive messages from one or more remote servers 24 across a mobile satellite communications system 26 as shown in FIG. 3. Mobile server 20 may be mounted in any convenient location on vehicle 22.
Optionally, for example, mobile server 20 frequently is mounted in a toolbox area underneath a bunk in a sleeper of an interstate truck.
As also shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 2 and 4, mobile server 20 is operatively connected to compact display unit 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a communications path between compact display unit 10 and mobile server 20 is included. The communications path includes at least one serial port 30, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, mounted in mobile server 20. Conduit connectivity between compact display unit 10 and mobile server 20 also is included. In addition, the communications path includes a virtual network computing link 32, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, operatively connected via the serial port to compact display unit 10. Preferably, but optionally, the virtual network computing link 32 is used in conjunction with compact display unit 10 and mobile server 20 for a number of currently useful reasons, but other improved links may become available for use. Virtual network computing link (“VNC”) 32 uses the Remote Frame Buffer protocol for remotely controlling another computer or server, which permits network communications. VNC is platform independent, so any operating system may be used. VNC software also makes it possible to view and fully-interact with one or more mobile computers or devices across a system such as mobile satellite communications system 26. VNC also is open source code and, although not inherently secure, the compact display unit 10 and mobile server 20 may be equipped with one or more encryption options for enhanced security by users. Likewise, compact display unit 10 and mobile server 20 may be equipped with one or more software programs for detecting removal or attempted removal of the compact display unit 10 and mobile server 20 from vehicle 22, as well as unauthorized misappropriation of vehicle 22 itself.
As indicated, monitor 16 includes touch screen 28 that provides a vehicle operator a range of programmable permissive communications 18a-f in diagrammatic and graphic form. Each of the programmable permissive communications 18a-f in diagrammatic and graphic form may be masked, or deleted, from among the programmable permissive communications 18a-f that may be viewed by a vehicle operator. The vehicle operator is unable to alter such masking. Such masking usually is based on policies of the vehicle owner. For example, the owner of a vehicle may not want to allow vehicle operators to communicate with any station or remote sever 24 other than a vehicle dispatcher, so other options may be masked.
In operation, compact display unit 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 is mounted adjacent to, in vision of, and within reach of an operator of a vehicle 22. Because compact display unit 10 lacks a full keyboard, compact display unit 10 is usually a secondary means of communication to a remote server 24 across a mobile satellite communications system 26 as shown in FIG. 3. The mobile satellite communications system 26 also includes a media display unit 34 as shown in FIG. 2. Media display unit 34 is the primary display unit because it includes a full keyboard (not shown) intended to be operated either by a second occupant of vehicle 22 during operation of vehicle 22, or by a vehicle operator while vehicle 22 is stationary. As also shown in FIG. 2, mobile server 20 is operatively connected to a satellite data modem 36 mounted on vehicle 22 that includes an antenna capable of receiving and transmitting messages to other servers within the mobile satellite communications system 26.
The compact display unit 10 shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through 3 is at least one embodiment not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusive embodiments. Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims.
Patent Application
20080064360
