As the cost of sensors, communications systems and navigational systems has dropped, operators of commercial and fleet vehicles now have the ability to collect a tremendous amount of data about the vehicles that they operate, including geographical position data collected during the operation of the vehicle.
Vehicle fleet operators often operate vehicles along predefined and generally invariant routes. For example, buses frequently operate on predefined routes, according to a predefined time schedule (for example, along a route that is geographically, as well as temporally defined). Fleet operators often assign specific vehicles to particular routes. Occasionally, maintenance issues necessitate changing the vehicles assigned to specific routes. It is often tedious and time-consuming for fleet operators to keep track of which route a particular vehicle has been assigned to at any given time. It would be desirable to provide such fleet operators with means for automatically determining upon what route a particular vehicle has been (or currently is) operating.
One aspect of the novel concepts presented herein is a method of using data collected in connection with operation of a vehicle to automatically determine upon what route that vehicle has been operating. In a first exemplary embodiment, an operator is enabled to input route identifier data (or route identification data) into a data set that also includes other types of data. The route identification data uniquely identifies the specific one of the plurality of predefined routes (and also preferably uniquely identifies a specific vehicle). Thus, examination of the data set will enable the route identification data to be used to identify upon which one of a plurality of predefined routes the vehicle was operating during the time period corresponding to the data set. In general, the other data will be operational data relating to an operational status of the vehicle (and is not simply data that uniquely identifies the route or the vehicle). In a second exemplary embodiment, rather than requiring the operator to provide the route identification data, geographical position data collected during operation of a vehicle is compared with geographical position data corresponding to each one of the plurality of predefined routes until a match is identified, thereby identifying upon which one of the plurality of predefined routes the vehicle was operating during collection of the geographical position data.
In general, the data being analyzed that indicate the predefined route (i.e., the data set or the geographical position data) will be analyzed by a remote computing device. For example, the remote computing device can be a computing system controlled or accessed by the fleet operator. The remote computing device also can be operating in a networked environment, and in some cases, may be operated by a third party under contract with the fleet operator to perform such services. Thus, the data set including the route identification data and the other data or the geographical position data can be conveyed via a data link to the remote computing device.
The first exemplary embodiment (in which a data set comprising route identifier data and other data is analyzed to determine upon which one of the plurality of predefined routes the vehicle has been operated) can be implemented in several different ways. The basic elements involved in this exemplary embodiment include a vehicle, a vehicle operator, an identification data input means, an operational data collection means, a data link means, and a remote computing device. In general, the remote computing device can be implemented by a computing system employed by an entity operating a fleet of vehicles. Entities that operate vehicle fleets can thus use such computing systems to track and manipulate data relating to their vehicle fleet. It should be recognized that these basic elements can be combined in many different configurations to achieve the method defined above. Thus, the details provided herein are intended to be exemplary, and not limiting on the concepts disclosed herein. Two particularly useful implementations of the first exemplary embodiment involve a first alternative in which the data set is stored in a memory associated with a vehicular onboard computer, and a second alternative in which the data set is stored in a memory associated with a portable data collection device.
When the data set is stored in a memory associated with an onboard computer, the operator can input the route identifier data via a user interface, such that the route identifier data are stored in the memory of the onboard computing device. Vehicle onboard computing devices are often configured to collect data from a variety of sensors integrated into the vehicle. Such sensor data are often communicated to the onboard computer via a J-bus, although such an embodiment is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting. Sensor data can include brake temperature data, tire pressure data, oil temperature data, engine coolant temperature data, geographic position data, and other data corresponding to operational characteristics or conditions of the vehicle. The sensor data and the route identifier data will, in this exemplary embodiment, be combined into a data set unique to a specific operational period for a specific vehicle.
The data set is then conveyed to a remote computing device for subsequent analysis of the data set, including analysis that identifies upon which one of the plurality of predefined routes the vehicle was operating over during the period the data set was collected. The data set can be conveyed to the remote computing device in a variety of ways. Further, the data set can be extracted or conveyed from the onboard computing device, for example, using a wireless communication (such as radio frequency and IR data transfer), a hardwired interface, or by storage on portable memory storage media that can be physically moved to a desired location for data retrieval. If desired, the data set can be transmitted to the remote computing device in real-time, if the vehicle is equipped with radio or cellular communication capability. The remote computing device will parse the data set to locate the route identifier data, thereby enabling identification of which one of the plurality of predefined routes matches the route identifier data, such that a specific one of the plurality of predefined routes can be identified as corresponding to the specific period during which the data set was collected.
When the data set is stored in a memory associated with a portable electronic data collection device, the operator can input the route identifier data via a user interface, such that the route identifier data are stored in the memory of the portable electronic data collection device. Such a portable electronic data collection device can be used not only to store the route identifier data, but also to collect and store other data collected in connection with the operation of the vehicle. The other data and the route identifier data will typically be combined into a data set unique to a specific operational period for a specific vehicle. The use of a portable electronic data collection device to collect inspection related data has been described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,646, entitled SYSTEM AND PROCESS TO ENSURE PERFORMANCE OF MANDATED SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS, the specification and drawings of which are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference. The use of a portable electronic data collection device to collect ancillary data (including sensor data such as brake temperature data, tire pressure data, oil temperature data, engine coolant temperature, geographic position data, and other data corresponding to operational characteristics and condition of the vehicle) has been described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,953, entitled ENSURING THE PERFORMANCE OF MANDATED INSPECTIONS COMBINED WITH THE COLLECTION OF ANCILLARY DATA, the specification and drawings of which are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference. The data set is then conveyed to a remote computing device for subsequent analysis of the data set, including analysis configured to identify which one of the plurality of predefined routes the vehicle was operating over during the period the data set was collected. The data set can be conveyed to the remote computing device in a variety of different ways. The data set can be extracted from the portable electronic data collection device using a wireless communication (such as radio frequency and IR data transfer), a hardwired interface, or portable memory storage media that can be moved to another location to extract the data. If desired, the data set can be transmitted to the remote computing device in real-time, if the portable electronic data collection device or vehicle is equipped with radio or cellular communication capability. The remote computing device will parse the data set to locate the route identifier data, thereby enabling identification of which one of the plurality of predefined routes matches the route identifier data, such that a specific one of the plurality of predefined routes can be identified as corresponding to the specific period during which the data set was collected.
With reference to the second exemplary embodiment, in which the data comprises geographical position data (as opposed to a data set comprising route identifier data and other data, where the other data itself might be geographical position data), a method is employed that will enable an operator of fleet vehicles to use GPS data (or other position data) collected from a vehicle to determine a predefined route that is associated with the collected data. Initially, GPS data (or other position data) for each predefined route operated by a fleet operator will be collected (and generally stored in a memory accessible by the remote computer). Significantly, while some routes may share one or more GPS data points in common (because of overlapping portions of the routes), each route will be defined by a unique collection of GPS data points (i.e., each route will exhibit a unique fingerprint of points along the route). When the GPS data collected by a particular vehicle are analyzed, the data can quickly be correlated with a particular route/fingerprint to enable a fleet operator to rapidly determine the route completed by the vehicle. The GPS data collected by each vehicle can include an identifier uniquely identifying the vehicle that collected the data. The route data defining the fingerprint can include geographical position data only, or positional data and temporal data. The addition of temporal data will be useful when a fleet operator has numerous routes that share common positional features. The additional metric of time will enable routes having common geographic data to be more readily distinguishable. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the initial position data collected for a route will be generated by equipping a vehicle with a positional tracking unit (such as a GPS tracking system), and operating the vehicle over the desired route to generate the route data (i.e., the fingerprint of geographical position data, which may also comprise temporal data).
Another aspect of the novel concepts presented herein is directed to a system and apparatus implementing the functional steps generally as described above.
This Summary has been provided to introduce a few concepts in a simplified form that are further described in detail below in the Description. However, this Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Various aspects and attendant advantages of one or more exemplary embodiments and modifications thereto will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced Figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and Figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
It should be recognized that the method steps of
In general, analysis of the data to determine the predefined route (i.e., the data set or the geographical position data) will be carried out by a remote computing device. In general, the remote computing device in at least one embodiment is a computing system controlled or accessed by the fleet operator. The remote computing device can be operating in a networked environment, and in some cases, may be operated by a third party under contract with the fleet operator to perform such services.
Also included in processing unit 254 are a random access memory (RAM) 256 and non-volatile memory 260, which can include read only memory (ROM) and may include some form of memory storage, such as a hard drive, optical disk (and drive), etc. These memory devices are bi-directionally coupled to CPU 258. Such storage devices are well known in the art. Machine instructions and data are temporarily loaded into RAM 256 from non-volatile memory 260. Also stored in the memory are an operating system software and ancillary software. While not separately shown, it will be understood that a generally conventional power supply will be included to provide electrical power at a voltage and current level appropriate to energize computing system 250.
Input device 252 can be any device or mechanism that facilitates user input into the operating environment, including, but not limited to, one or more of a mouse or other pointing device, a keyboard, a microphone, a modem, or other input device. In general, the input device will be used to initially configure computing system 250, to achieve the desired processing (i.e., to process a plurality of ultrasound images to combine interference-free portions of those images to generate a composite interference-free ultrasound image). Configuration of computing system 250 to achieve the desired processing includes the steps of loading appropriate processing software into non-volatile memory 260, and launching the processing application (e.g., loading the processing software into RAM 256 for execution by the CPU) so that the processing application is ready for use. Output device 262 generally includes any device that produces output information, but will most typically comprise a monitor or computer display designed for human visual perception of output. Use of a conventional computer keyboard for input device 252 and a computer display for output device 262 should be considered as exemplary, rather than as limiting on the scope of this system. Data link 264 is configured to enable data collected in connection with operation of a vehicle to be input into computing system 250 for subsequent analysis to identify a specific route over which the vehicle has been operated. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that many types of data links can be implemented, including, but not limited to, universal serial bus (USB) ports, parallel ports, serial ports, inputs configured to couple with portable memory storage devices, FireWire ports, infrared data ports, wireless data ports such as Bluetooth™, network connections such as Ethernet ports, and Internet connections.
In conjunction with collecting the operational data (i.e. the other data), the operator will import the route identification data into the handheld electronic data collection device. It should be recognized that the route identification can be entered before the operational data are collected, the route identification data can be entered contemporaneously with the collection of the operational data, or the route identification data can be entered after the operational data have been collected. Generally, the route identification data are entered in connection with the operation of the vehicle over one of the plurality of predefined routes. Whenever the vehicle is subsequently operated over a different one of the plurality of predefined routes, the data set (comprising the route identification data and the operational data) corresponding to the earlier used route of the plurality of predefined routes must be kept separate from the data set corresponding to a different one of the plurality of predefined routes.
In general, route identification data input 24 comprises a keyboard or function keys incorporated into a portable electronic data collection device, and the route identification data are input as an alphanumeric sequence or numerical sequence. It should be recognized however, that other data input structures (i.e., structures other than keyboards) can instead be implemented, such that the concepts presented herein are not limited to any specific identification data input device. The operator can also use the handheld electronic data collection device to scan a token that uniquely corresponds to a specific one of the plurality of the predefined routes. For example, the operator can be provided with a plurality of tokens, each of which uniquely corresponds to one of the plurality of predefined routes, such that the user selects the appropriate token, and uses the handheld electronic data collection device to scan the appropriate token. Many different tokens/sensor combinations can be implemented. Barcodes and optical scanners represent one combination, while radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and RFID readers represent another such combination. The advantage of a token/sensor combination is that the handheld electronic data collection device is not required to incorporate a keypad for entry of the route identification data. As a further alternative, the route identification data can be entered verbally, using voice recognition software in the handheld electronic collection device to recognize the verbal input. In embodiments where the route identification data is entered into a portable electronic data collection device, preferably the portable electronic data collection device is also employed to collect the operational data (i.e., operational data collector 28 is part of a portable electronic data collection device). The operational data can include inspection data and/or data collected by sensors incorporated into the vehicle (configured to collect data such as engine temperature data, oil temperature data, brake temperature data, tire pressure data, tire temperature data, and geographical position data; recognizing that such data types are intended to be exemplary rather than limiting). Preferably, operational data collector 28 comprises a sensor responsive to a token on the vehicle. As disclosed in detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent applications that have above been incorporated herein by reference, the token can simply indicate that an operator was proximate the token (i.e., the other data simply confirm that the operator was proximate the token), or the token can be configured to provide ancillary data collected by a sensor that is logically coupled to the token.
With respect to
For the few tokens illustrated in
Other tokens 524, 526, 530, and 532 are illustrated adjacent other components of the tractor that are part of the safety inspection. For example, token 526 is affixed adjacent to a tire 528, on the right front of the tractor, while tokens 530 and 532 are accessible if the front hood of the tractor is opened and are disposed adjacent the hydraulic brake master cylinder and the engine belts/radiator, respectively (not shown separately). For each token, there is a predetermined maximum distance that portable device 520 can be held from the token that will enable the portable device to detect the token, and thus, the component that is associated with it in order to produce a record as evidence that the person holding the portable device was in a position to inspect the component. Depending upon the component to be inspected and the type of token, different predetermined maximum distances may be assigned to the various components. The different predetermined maximum distances might be implemented by partially shielding a token to vary the distance at which the portable device can detect the token.
Display 540 is disposed on a front surface of a housing 542 of portable device 520. Sensor 546 is disposed on the top edge of housing 542, while an optional USB port 548 is disposed on the bottom edge of housing 542, opposite sensor 546. An antenna 544 is also disposed on the top edge of the housing for transmitting radio frequency (RF) transmissions to a remote data storage site 561 that is used for long-term storage of data resulting from safety inspections, which corresponds to the functional block diagram configuration of
In some cases, it may be preferable to transmit the data to the remote site immediately after making a safety inspection to ensure that the data retained in memory 564 are not lost should an accident occur that destroys portable device 520. An accident destroying the evidence that the safety inspection was implemented could have an adverse effect during any litigation related to the accident, which might allegedly have been caused by one of the components that was purported to have been inspected. However, since the risk of such an accident is relatively remote, it is contemplated that an operator may collect the data from a number of safety inspections in memory 564 and then subsequently upload the data to remote data storage 565 by coupling the portable device to the external cradle or docking station that includes a USB port terminal and network interface that facilitates connecting via the Internet or other network, to a remote storage, generally as indicated in
The tokens that are affixed at various points on the tractor-trailer (or adjacent components of other types of systems or apparatus unrelated to a vehicle) can be of several different types, depending upon the type of sensor 546 that is included on portable device 520. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the token that is employed is an RF identification (RFID) tag that is attached with a fastener or an appropriate adhesive to a point on a frame or other support (not shown) adjacent to the component associated with the token. One type of RFID tag that is suitable for this purpose is the WORLDTAG™ token that is sold by Sokymat Corporation. This tag is excited by an RF transmission from portable device 520 via antenna 544. In response to the excitation energy received, the RFID tag modifies the RF energy that is received from antenna 544 in a manner that specifically identifies the component associated with the RFID tag, and the modified signal is detected by sensor 546. An alternative type of token that can also be used is an IBUTTON™ computer chip, which is armored in stainless steel housing and is readily affixed to a frame or other portion of the vehicle (or other type of apparatus or system), adjacent to the component associated with the IBUTTON chip. The IBUTTON chip is programmed with JAVA™ instructions to provide a recognition signal when interrogated by a signal received from a nearby transmitter, such as from antenna 544 on portable device 520. The signal produced by the IBUTTON chip is received by sensor 546, which determines the type of component associated with the token. This type of token is less desirable since it is more expensive, although the program instructions that it executes can provide greater functionality.
Yet another type of token that might be used is an optical bar code in which a sequence of lines of varying width or of other distinctive characteristic encodes light reflected from the bar code tag. The encoded reflected light is received by sensor 546, which is then read by an optical detector. Bar code technology is well understood in the art and readily adapted for identifying a particular type of component and location of the component on a vehicle or other system or apparatus. One drawback to the use of a bar code tag as a token is that in an exposed location, the bar code can be covered with dirt or grime that must be cleaned before the sequence of bar code lines can be properly read. If the bar code is applied to a plasticized adhesive strip, it can readily be mounted to any surface and then easily cleaned with a rag or other appropriate material.
Still another type of token usable in the present approach is a magnetic strip in which a varying magnetic flux encodes data identifying the particular component associated with the token. Such magnetic strips are often used in access cards that are read by readers mounted adjacent to doors or in an elevator that provides access to a building. However, in the present approach, the magnetic flux reader comprises sensor 546 on portable device 520. The data encoded on such a token are readily read as the portable device is brought into proximity with the varying magnetic flux encoded strip comprising the token. As a further alternative, an active token can be employed that conforms to the BLUETOOTH™ specification for short distance data transfer between computing devices using an RF signal. However, it is likely that the range of the signal transmitted by the token would need to be modified so that it is substantially less than that normally provided by a device conforming to the BLUETOOTH specification. It is important that the portable device be able to detect that it is proximate to the component within a predetermined maximum range selected to ensure that the operator is positioned to actually carry out an inspection of the component.
As noted above, the data set can be transmitted in real-time, or after a specific route has been finished. GPS unit 40 can be electrically coupled to ignition system 36, such that geographical position data is only collected while the ignition system is on (indicating that the vehicle is likely to be moving, because fleet operators actively attempt to limit the amount of engine idle time, i.e., the time a vehicle's engine is running but the vehicle is not moving—to conserve fuel and reduce engine wear). It should be noticed that the additional data in the data set (i.e., the data that is not route identification data) can comprise either data collected from the sensors or geographical position data collected, rather than a combination of both. If the data set comprises route identification data and geographical position data, the sensors (and the data they collect) are not required. If the data set comprises route identification data and sensor data, then the GPS unit is not required, so long as some other suitable data link (a wireless transmitter or some other data link generally as described above) is provided to enable the data set to be conveyed to the remote computing device for analysis.
With respect to the first primary embodiment wherein a data set comprises route identification data and other data, it should be recognized that a wide variety of other data can be collected that relates to the operation of a vehicle. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,953, entitled ENSURING THE PERFORMANCE OF MANDATED INSPECTIONS COMBINED WITH THE COLLECTION OF ANCILLARY DATA (the specification and drawings of which have been are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference), provides a detailed description of ancillary data that can be collected.
In a block 44, geographical position data (preferably GPS data, although it should be recognized that data from other geographic position tracking-based systems can be used, and the concepts presented herein are not intended to be limited to the use of GPS data alone) are collected from the vehicle while the vehicle is traversing a predefined route. In a block 46, the GPS data from the vehicle are analyzed to determine which route fingerprint most closely matches the GPS data collected from the vehicle, thereby enabling a determination to be made regarding upon which one of the plurality of predefined routes the vehicle was operating while the GPS data were being collected. As noted above, such an analysis is often performed by a remote computing device, and some type of data link would then be required to transmit the GPS data from the vehicle to the remote computer. The data link can be implemented in real-time, i.e., while the GPS data are being collected, or the GPS data can be conveyed to the remote computing device after a trip has been completed. Of course, these data must include some identifier that uniquely identifies the specific vehicle, so that GPS data collected from different vehicles can be distinguished from one another.
Although the concepts disclosed herein have been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing them and modifications thereto, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of these concepts in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior co-pending application Ser. No. 11/247,953, filed on Oct. 11, 2005, which itself is a continuation-in-part of prior co-pending applications Ser. No. 10/862,122, filed on Jun. 3, 2004, and Ser. No. 10/915,957, filed on Aug. 11, 2004, which itself is a continuation-in-part of prior co-pending application Ser. No. 10/219,892, filed on Aug. 15, 2002 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,626 on Oct. 12, 2004, which itself is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 09/951,104, filed on Sep. 11, 2001 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,646 on Dec. 30, 2003, the benefit of the filing dates of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11247953 | Oct 2005 | US |
Child | 11425222 | Jun 2006 | US |
Parent | 10862122 | Jun 2004 | US |
Child | 11247953 | Oct 2005 | US |
Parent | 10915957 | Aug 2004 | US |
Child | 11247953 | Oct 2005 | US |
Parent | 10219892 | Aug 2002 | US |
Child | 10915957 | Aug 2004 | US |
Parent | 09951104 | Sep 2001 | US |
Child | 10219892 | Aug 2002 | US |