Electronic fare testing device for automated fare testing of taximeters

Abstract

Electronic testing device for the automated testing of taximeters, characterized in that • the test device is connected to the device(s) to be tested via a standardized digital interface, • the testing device communicates with the PC via the digital interface, • the test device receives signals or data from the device(s) under test, analyzes them and transmits them in real time to test software, • the testing software performs an evaluation of the received data and creates one or more test reports, • the testing device enables fully automated testing without the need for manual intervention.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic tariff testing device (hereinafter referred to as "TPG") for automated, digital tariff testing of taximeters approved in the EU. State of the art

[0002] Taximeters calculate the fare based on the distance traveled and the journey time. A fare calculation program, which contains the rules for calculating the fare, calculates the fare and displays the total journey time.

[0003] In Germany and other EU countries, numerous regional taxi fares exist, varying from municipality to municipality and subject to irregular changes. These changes are announced in official notices and must be officially verified for accuracy before being implemented in taximeters. According to OIML R21, the responsible calibration offices use the "Test Interface" for this purpose.

[0004] These checks are currently carried out manually by the calibration offices, only on a single taximeter at a time, and are based on the use of simple tools such as stopwatches, handwritten notes, and visual inspections. A complete or automated check is not currently state-of-the-art. The existing methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors, which is why a significant amount of time is currently spent by expensive specialists on these checks, and therefore checks can only be carried out on a random sample basis. Description of the invention Task

[0005] The TPG (Taximeter Testing Device) is designed to automatically verify the metrological accuracy of a taximeter fare. The invention aims to provide an electronic testing device that enables automated, comprehensive, and reliable verification of the correct fare usage of taximeters from different manufacturers during fare changes, thereby minimizing testing time and increasing test quality. Furthermore, the device is intended to test multiple taximeters simultaneously, either with one or more electronic testing devices. Solution

[0006] This problem is solved by an electronic tariff verification device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Technical solution

[0007] The electronic tariff verification device according to the invention has the following features: • It can be connected to EU-approved taximeters from different manufacturers via a standardized interface (test interface according to OMIL R21 guideline 5.2.4), • It is designed to connect one or more taximeters, • It is designed to communicate with a PC on which testing software with a suitable user interface for operating the software is installed, • It receives and analyzes signals or data from the taximeter(s) being tested in real time, • The testing software evaluates the received data, documents it, and automatically creates one or more test reports. • The testing process is automated and only requires manual input from a testing person outside of the actual testing procedure. Advantages of the invention • Time savings through automated testing processes • Time savings through simultaneous testing of multiple taximeters • Reproducible and documented test results • Increased testing accuracy • Enabling full inspections instead of sampling • Integration into existing testing processes through standardized interfaces Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows an example block diagram of the electronic tariff verification device with PC connection. Fig. Figure 2 shows an example flowchart of an automated testing process. Fig. Figure 3 shows an example GUI of the testing software Fig. Figure 4 shows an example GUI of the test software - test run; the colored markers indicate events at transition points. Example of implementation

[0008] One specific example describes the use of the tariff testing device (TPG) on a conventional taximeter.

[0009] A taximeter is electrically connected to the TPG, which runs user-defined software (hereinafter referred to as "firmware"), via a test interface [according to OMIL R21 guideline 5.2.4]. The TPG communicates via a USB-CDC-UART interface (hereinafter referred to as "UART") with a PC running the test software and a graphical user application (hereinafter referred to as the "GUI application").

[0010] The TPG (Taxi Meter Gateway) waits for two different electrical signals and generates a third one itself. The TPG output (PWM, Pulse Width Modulation) simulates the signal from the taxi wheel, i.e., the distance traveled, which is sent to the taximeter. The taximeter sends two signals back. Signal 1: "Driving mode," meaning fare calculation is activated, and Signal 2: a pulse each time the total fare increases by a standard switching value in euros (e.g., 0.1 euros per pulse).

[0011] The taximeter fare change (the fare that changes during the journey) is generated based on the pre-programmed parameter list in the taximeter. The same list of parameters and their values ​​must be provided by the TPG user via PC for the fare test. This can be done manually, or the values ​​can be read from a file (e.g., CSV) or selected and imported from an existing application.

[0012] Based on the configured parameters, a reference tariff increase is dynamically generated. In time mode, each increase has an expected timestamp relative to the start of the tariff. In distance mode, pulses are counted, representing a distance (e.g., 100,000 pulses / km). The switch from time mode to distance mode is based on a parameter called "Switching Speed ​​- USG". Upon reaching this switching speed, the mode, and therefore the basis for calculating the tariff, is changed.

[0013] To test different scenarios (day / night, weekday / weekend), the user selects the fare to be validated, while the taximeter clock is manually changed by the user.

[0014] The task of the GUI application is therefore to read the received event timestamps from the TPG (Tariff Data Center) in time mode, incremented by the tariff, and correlate them with a reference sequence. In distance mode, the pulses that simulate a specific distance are counted in order to validate the taximeter connected to the TPG.

[0015] The purpose of the taximeter test is to correlate the reference fare with the fare calculated by the taximeter itself, thus confirming that the taximeter has been programmed with the correct parameters. The test ends when the journey is terminated by the user or if a fare error occurs. The user can then enter the fare displayed on the taximeter into a text field in the GUI to compare this value with the reference fare calculated by the GUI up to that point.

[0016] During the ongoing test, the reference sequence for tariff increases is dynamically generated based on the entered parameters. Regardless of the test duration, the user always receives the correct reference, including the time elapsed since the start (below the switching speed - USG) and the distance traveled in distance mode (above the USG).

[0017] The GUI application documents the result in a test report, which can be automatically saved and exported. After preparing the taximeter (setting the day and time), the actual test is performed without any manual steps and delivers a valid result regarding the tariff accuracy of the connected device.

Claims

[1] Electronic testing device for the automated testing of taximeters, characterized by , that • the test device is connected to the device(s) to be tested via a standardized digital interface, • the testing device communicates with the PC via the digital interface, • the test device receives signals or data from the device(s) under test, analyzes them and transmits them in real time to test software, • the testing software performs an evaluation of the received data and creates one or more test reports, • the testing device enables fully automated testing without the need for manual intervention. [2] Testing device according to claim 1, characterized by that the interface to the standard test interface is designed according to OMIL R21 guideline 5.2.4 for taximeters. [3] Testing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the testing device has its own power supply. [4] Testing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the testing software includes a graphical user interface for operation and result display. [5] Testing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the recorded and evaluated test data can be archived or exported.

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