ELECTRONIC TACHOGRAPH AND METHOD FOR STORING ENTRIES IN AN ELECTRONIC TACHOGRAPH

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic tachograph, in particular an electronic tachograph with digital data storage, and a method for storing entries in such a tachograph.

[0002] Tachographs, often also called driving recorders, are control devices installed in motor vehicles to monitor various vehicle operating parameters. These parameters are typically recorded by various types of sensors and stored and processed by the tachograph. Examples of vehicle operating parameters include driving times, distance traveled, and average and maximum speeds achieved during travel. Certain events, such as breaks in driving time, can also be recorded and stored by the tachograph. The recorded and stored data can then be read out.

[0003] Previously, mechanical tachographs were most commonly used. These mechanical tachographs recorded all journeys over a specific period on a disc. The disc could then be removed and analyzed. Nowadays, however, mechanical tachographs are increasingly being replaced by electronic tachographs with digital data storage. Such tachographs are often also referred to as digital tachographs. In many countries, digital tachographs are now mandatory in newly registered vehicles, especially in goods vehicles and buses.

[0004] Electronic tachographs, in addition to basic functions such as recording distance and driving time, can often perform additional functions, such as calculating driving and rest times. Some tachographs can also support smartphone applications and provide relevant data to mobile devices.

[0005] Electronic tachographs also offer a modern and simple method of driver authentication. Each driver receives a driver card, i.e., a chip card on which their personal data is stored. This card is inserted into the tachograph before the start of the journey, which then assigns subsequent journeys precisely to the cardholder. The tachograph stores the collected data in internal memory, from which it can later be downloaded. As an additional feature, some tachographs now also offer the option of configuring various user-specific settings once the current user has been identified via their personal chip card. User-specific data is read from the chip card to configure these settings.However, downloading and configuring the settings can take some time, so there may be delays before the driver can start their journey.

[0006] German patent application DE 103 50 715 A1 discloses a method for setting user-dependent parameter values ​​on or in at least one vehicle device of a motor vehicle and for storing the settings in at least one vehicle-internal and / or vehicle-external data storage device. To improve the user-friendliness of the method for one or more primary users and one or more temporary users, the method includes a first step in which a query is performed to determine whether the currently set user-dependent parameter values ​​should be stored as temporary or quasi-permanent parameter values ​​in the at least one vehicle-internal and / or vehicle-external data storage device. In a second step, the currently set user-dependent parameter values ​​are stored according to the response to the query, and in a third step, the quasi-permanent parameter values ​​are always set, regardless of the query result.

[0007] The publication EP 1 805 720 A1 discloses a method for secure data transmission, in particular between a tachograph of a commercial vehicle and memory cards, wherein a first participant has a memory containing entries comprising identifiers and security certificates of second participants. The first participant obtains an identifier from the second participant and compares it with stored identifiers. If the identifiers match, a security certificate associated with that identifier forms the basis for subsequent data transmission; if no matching identifier exists, a security certificate verification is performed.

[0008] Publication EP 2 362 356 A1 discloses a tachograph in which user profiles can be managed via a driver card. Further prior art for managing user settings using a tachograph is known from EP 2 327 591 A2.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide an improved tachograph in which personal settings can be made as quickly as possible.

[0010] This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1, a tachograph according to claim 4, and a vehicle according to claim 8. Embodiments and further developments of the inventive concept are the subject of dependent claims.

[0011] A method for storing entries in a tachograph comprises receiving a command to store an entry in a memory unit of the tachograph, wherein the entry contains current date information and data, and wherein the

[0012] The process ensures that each entry can be uniquely assigned to a user. It also includes checking the currently available storage capacity of the storage unit, which can hold a maximum number of entries. If the maximum number of possible entries in the storage unit has not yet been reached, the new entry is stored without overwriting any already stored entries.If the maximum number of possible entries in the storage unit has already been reached, the date information of the stored entries is checked and the entry is overwritten with the new entry that has the oldest date information, whereby one or more users can be defined as main users in the tachograph, and if at least one of the entries stored in the storage unit is not assigned to a main user, only those stored entries that are not assigned to a main user can be overwritten.

[0013] This ensures that entries from primary users are retained for a longer period. Settings of primary users who frequently use a vehicle are retained even if the user is, for example, on vacation or ill, and the vehicle is driven by one or more other drivers during this time. The saved data is available more quickly than data that first has to be retrieved from the driver's card. Settings can therefore be adjusted more quickly before starting a journey. For a primary user who predominantly uses a particular vehicle, it is very convenient to have certain data and information readily available.

[0014] The data contained in an entry includes information on user-specific settings and may include at least one of the assigned user's personal identification number and an identification number uniquely assigned to the user's personal driver card.

[0015] An entry can be uniquely assigned to a user via their personal identification number or their personal driver card. Since the entry also stores the user's preferred settings, the user does not need to configure these settings before each journey. Nor do the settings need to be read from their driver card. Instead, the desired settings are readily available and can be applied as soon as the driver is recognized and an entry assigned to them is found.

[0016] Information on user-specific settings can include, in particular, user-preferred settings for one or more tachograph functions. Tachographs are increasingly offering more functions. Configuring the settings for each function before every trip is time-consuming. For drivers who use the same vehicle very frequently, it is therefore tedious to have to reconfigure the settings before each trip. This eliminates the need to re-enter the settings for one or more primary users. A tachograph has a memory unit. The tachograph is designed to store entries in the memory unit, where each entry contains current date information and data, and where the entry can be uniquely assigned to a user.The tachograph is designed to check the currently available storage capacity of the memory unit before saving an entry, whereby the memory unit can store a maximum number of entries. If the maximum number of possible entries in the memory unit has not yet been reached, the tachograph is designed to save the new entry in the memory unit without overwriting already stored entries.If the maximum number of possible entries in the storage unit has already been reached, the tachograph is designed to check the date information of the stored entries and overwrite the entry with the new entry that has the oldest date information, the tachograph being further designed to define one or more users as primary users, and if at least one of the entries stored in the storage unit is not assigned to a primary user, only those stored entries that are not assigned to a primary user can be overwritten.

[0017] Each entry can contain a personal identification number of the assigned driver, and the tachograph can further be trained to store a personal identification number of a user defined as the main user and to compare the personal identification numbers stored in the entries with the stored identification numbers to check whether a stored entry is assigned to a main user.

[0018] This makes it easy to see whether a saved entry is assigned to a primary user or not.

[0019] The tachograph may also be configured to delete one or more of the stored primary users if each of the entries stored in the memory unit is assigned to a primary user and no entry can be deleted.

[0020] If all entries are assigned to a primary user, no entry can be deleted in favor of a new one. Deleting primary users in this case allows for the storage of additional entries.

[0021] The tachograph may still be configured to overwrite the entry with the oldest date information, regardless of whether it is assigned to a primary user, if each of the entries stored in the memory unit is assigned to a primary user.

[0022] This also makes it possible to make further entries, even if all entries in the storage unit are each assigned to a primary user.

[0023] A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, may have such a tachograph.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures in the drawing, where identical or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals. It shows: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an arrangement with a tachograph; Figure 2 shows a table. for the Storing entries in a storage unit, Figure 3 shows an exemplary table for storing entries in a storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 schematically illustrates the principle of a method according to the invention for operating an electronic tachograph in a flowchart.

[0025] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an arrangement with a tachograph 1 and an external device 2. The external device 2 can be, for example, a card reader designed to read a driver card. Each driver in a company typically has a driver card. A driver card is a (chip) card on which data assigned to the respective driver is stored. The driver card contains the driver's personal certificate. When the driver inserts their driver card into the external device 2, or brings their driver card close to the external device 2 so that a wireless connection can be established between the driver card and the external device 2, the external device 2 first reads the driver's personal certificate to identify them.A card reader can, for example, be integrated into the tachograph 1, or can be designed as an external unit which can be connected to the tachograph 1 via a wireless or wired connection.

[0026] The external device 2 can also be a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, Blackberry, laptop, or similar. For example, the external device 2 could be the driver's smartphone. An application (app) or program could be stored on the smartphone. The driver's data and information can then be stored on the external device 2, so that the external device 2 replaces the driver card and an additional driver card is not required. When the external device 2 is brought near the tachograph 1, a connection to the tachograph 1 can be established.

[0027] The connection between tachograph 1 and external device 2 can be any type of wireless or wired connection. For example, a radio connection can be established between external device 2 and tachograph 1. External device 2 can also be connected to tachograph 1 via any suitable wired interface.

[0028] Once a connection has been established between the tachograph 1 and the external device 2, or a driver card has been inserted into the external device 2, the tachograph 1 can read the driver's personal certificate and thus authenticate the driver. Information about the driver's past journeys can also be stored on the external device 2 or on the driver card. This information can also be read by the tachograph 1. Furthermore, the external device 2 or the driver card can store the driver's personal settings related to the tachograph 1. These can also be read by the tachograph 1. For example, the driver's personal settings might include preferred language settings or other settings related to the tachograph 1. If the driver has been recognized by the tachograph 1 using the personal certificate, the driver can, for example, be greeted personally.by means of a corresponding display on a screen, and the corresponding user-specific settings can be made by the tachograph 1.

[0029] Reading the data and settings information from the tachograph card or the external device 2 can take some time. Therefore, various data and information are often temporarily stored in the tachograph 1 for later use. The tachograph 1 can, for example, have a storage unit 12 for this purpose. The storage unit 12 has a specific storage capacity, allowing a certain number N of entries to be stored in the storage unit 12. Current date information can be stored for each entry. This means that it is still possible to trace when the entry was saved (e.g., date and time). Furthermore, each entry can be assigned to a specific driver. This can be done, for example, by storing a unique driver identification number for each entry.However, it is also possible, for example, to store a driver card number for each entry. Since each driver card is uniquely assigned to a specific user, if the card has been uniquely identified via its number, the corresponding driver can also be determined. Each entry can also contain a certain amount of data. This data can, for example, relate to the settings requested by the user. This is exemplified in [reference to relevant section]. Figure 2 depicted.

[0030] Figure 2 This displays a list view of various entries. Since the storage space in the tachograph 1 is usually limited, only a certain number N of entries can be stored. For example, the last N entries can be stored at any given time. The list contains information for each entry in Figure 2Each entry includes the corresponding date. A card number (CardNumber) is also stored for each entry. The card certificate (Card-CHR) for the respective driver card may also be stored in the entry. Furthermore, each entry contains additional data, such as settings for specific functions (FeatureX, FeatureY) or settings for a (not shown) Multi Purpose Data Recorder.

[0031] When the tachograph 1 is used for the first time, or if the memory of storage unit 12 has been cleared for any reason, the available N slots for entries are initially filled. If the list or the memory is full and a new entry is to be created, the oldest entry at that time is overwritten. This means that if a new entry is to be saved, the available storage space in storage unit 12 can first be checked. If no free storage space is available, the date information of the saved entries can be checked, and the oldest entry can be overwritten with the new entry. If a driver inserts their driver card into the external device 2, or if the external device 2 connects (e.g.,Smartphone), which functions as a driver card, with the tachograph 1, the tachograph 1 can, once the driver has been identified, first search for data and information in the entries stored in the memory unit 12 before reading data and information from the external device 2 or the driver card.

[0032] For example, if an external device 2 or a driver card is detected, the driver or card number can first be compared with the stored entries. If a corresponding entry is found, the stored data can be read from memory unit 12 and the corresponding settings can be made. Since this information is already present in the tachograph 1 (in memory unit 12), the time until all settings have been made and the driver can begin their journey is reduced. If no corresponding entry is found in memory unit 12, the data must be read from the driver card or the external device 2, so the registration process takes a certain amount of time.

[0033] Motor vehicles such as trucks or buses are frequently driven by different, rotating drivers. While a vehicle is usually assigned to one or a few primary users most of the time, if a driver is ill or on vacation, the vehicle is typically driven by one or more other drivers to avoid prolonged periods of inactivity. During this time, it can happen that if a primary driver is absent for an extended period, their last entries in memory unit 12 of the tachograph 1 are overwritten by the entries of other (substitute) drivers before their return.

[0034] Thus, after the return of a main user, long waiting times may occur before the driver can start his journey if the relevant data first has to be read from the external device 2 or the driver card.

[0035] For this reason, according to the present invention, primary users can be defined for a tachograph 1. For example, only one primary user can be defined for a vehicle, or several primary users can be defined for the same vehicle. For instance, a driver can define themselves as the primary user of a vehicle as soon as their driver card or the external device 2 has been identified. However, it is also possible that primary users can only be defined by authorized users. For example, primary users can be defined only by an administrator. With some tachographs 1, it is possible to establish a connection to the tachograph 1 from a company's headquarters. This can be done, for example, over longer distances using an internet or mobile network connection.However, a company's vehicles are usually also in a headquarters or workshop at regular intervals, for example for maintenance. There, a connection to the tachograph 1 can be established via any wireless or wired interface, and then one or more primary users can be defined.

[0036] If a user is defined as the main user, their entries, as exemplified in... Figure 3 The entry is displayed but not overwritten. For example, an entry was saved for a primary user at a specific time. While this entry, following the procedure according to... Figure 2 If the entry would be overwritten at a later time, the entry of a main user remains in accordance with the procedure. Figure 3 If an entry is marked as belonging to a primary user, it is thus stored virtually permanently in tachograph 1 and cannot be overwritten. In the example in Figure 3 Such entries are marked with an arrow.

[0037] Figure 4 Figure 401 illustrates a procedure for storing entries in a tachograph 1. First, a command to store a new entry in the tachograph 1's memory unit 12 can be received (step 401). As shown above, the new entry contains current date information and data. The new entry can be uniquely assigned to a user. Next, the available storage capacity of memory unit 12 can be checked (step 402). As already explained, memory unit 12 can store a maximum of N entries.

[0038] If storage capacity is still available, i.e., the maximum number N of possible entries in storage unit 12 has not yet been reached, the new entry can be stored in storage unit 12 without overwriting previously stored entries (step 403).

[0039] However, if no more free storage capacity is available, i.e., the maximum number N of possible entries in storage unit 12 has already been reached, the date information of the stored entries can be checked next (step 404). The entry with the oldest date information can then be overwritten with the new entry (step 405). However, if one or more users are defined as primary users in tachograph 1, only those stored entries that are not assigned to a primary user are checked or overwritten.

[0040] Defining a user as the primary user can be done via any suitable interface, e.g.

[0041] Human-machine interface (HMI), CAN (Controller Area Network), diagnostic interface, remote HMI, etc. By registering a user as the primary user, a personal identification number of the driver or their card is stored and marked accordingly. If an entry is identified as the oldest entry in storage unit 12, the identification number stored for that entry can be compared with the stored identification numbers. If the identification number matches a stored identification number, the corresponding entry is not overwritten, and the next entry in the list is checked.

[0042] It is possible that if multiple drivers are registered as primary users, all entries in storage unit 12 will be identified as belonging to a single primary user. This would prevent any entries from being overwritten and would make new entries impossible. In such a case, the oldest entry could still be overwritten, even if it is assigned to a primary user. Another option is to request the current user to remove at least one of the registered primary users. Alternatively, a maximum number of registered primary users can be specified. For example, a maximum of five primary users could be registered for a tachograph or a vehicle. This maximum of five primary users is merely an example; any other maximum number of primary users can be defined.If a sufficient number of primary users are already registered at a given time, a new primary user can only be registered if another primary user is deleted. This prevents all entries in storage unit 12 from being assigned exclusively to primary users, thus preventing any new entries from being made.

[0043] For example, if five main users were defined and an entry was stored in storage unit 12 for each main user, which cannot be deleted subsequently, then N-5 spaces would still be available for further entries.

Claims

1. A method for storing entries in a tachograph (1), wherein, in the method a driver inserts his driver card into an external device (2) or a map reader integrated in the tachograph, or the external device (2) acting as a driver card connects to the tachograph (1), and the external device (2) or the card reader reads a personal certificate of the driver on the driver's driver card in order to identify the driver, and as soon as the driver has been identified, the tachograph (1) first of all searches for data and information in the entries stored in a memory unit (12), wherein each of the entries contains date information and data, wherein the data stored in the respective entries have information relating to user-specific settings, and if a corresponding entry is found in the memory unit (12), the data stored for the corresponding entry are read from the memory unit (12) and user-specific settings corresponding to the read data are made, and only if no corresponding entry is found in the memory unit (12) are the searched data from the driver card or the external device (2) read out by the tachograph (1), wherein the method comprises: receiving a command to store a new entry in the memory unit (12) of the tachograph (1), wherein the entry contains current date information and data, wherein the data contained in the entry contain information about user-specific settings, and wherein the entry is uniquely assigned to a user; checking a currently available memory capacity of the memory unit (12), wherein the memory unit (12) can store a maximum number (N) of entries; and, a) if the maximum number (N) of possible entries in the memory unit (12) has not yet been reached, storing the new entry in the memory unit (12) without overwriting entries that have already been stored, and b) if the maximum number (N) of possible entries in the memory unit (12) has already been reached, checking the date information of the stored entries and overwriting the entry which has the oldest date information with the new entry, wherein one or more users are defined as the primary user in the tachograph (1), and, if at least one of the entries stored in the memory unit (12) is not assigned to a primary user, only those stored entries which are not assigned to a primary user are overwritten.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data contained in an entry have at least one of a personal identification number of the assigned user; and an identification number uniquely associated with a personal driver card of the user.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to user-specific settings comprises settings preferred by the user for one or more functions of the tachograph (1).

4. A tachograph (1) having a memory unit (12), wherein the tachograph (1) has an integrated map reader or is designed to be connected to an external device (2) and to read a personal certificate of a driver, wherein the tachograph is designed such that, when a driver inserts his driver card into the external device (2) or the integrated card reader, or when the external device (2) which functions as a driver card, connects to the tachograph (1), and the tachograph reads out a personal certificate of the driver in order to identify them, the tachograph (1), as soon as the driver has been identified, first of all searches for data and information in the entries stored in a memory unit (12), wherein each of the entries contains date information and data, wherein the data stored in the respective entries have information relating to user-specific settings, and if a corresponding entry is found in the memory unit (12), the data stored for the corresponding entry are read from the memory unit (12) and user-specific settings corresponding to the read data are made, and only if no corresponding entry is found in the memory unit (12), the searched data from the driver card or the external device (2) are read out by the tachograph (1), and wherein the tachograph (1) is designed to store entries in the memory unit (12), wherein an entry contains current date information and data, wherein the data contained in the entry contain information about user-specific settings, and wherein the entry is uniquely assigned to a user, wherein the tachograph (1) is designed to check a currently available memory capacity of the memory unit (12) before a new entry is stored, wherein the memory unit (12) can store a maximum number (N) of entries; and, a) if the maximum number (N) of possible entries in the memory unit (12) has not yet been reached, the tachograph (1) is designed to store the new entry in the memory unit (12) without overwriting entries that have already been stored, and b) if the maximum number (N) of possible entries in the memory unit (12) has already been reached, the tachograph (1) is designed to check the date information of the stored entries and to overwrite the entry which has the oldest date information with the new entry, wherein the tachograph (1) is furthermore designed to define one or more users as primary users, and, if at least one of the entries stored in the memory unit (12) is not assigned to a primary user, only those stored entries that are not assigned to a primary user are overwritten.

5. The tachograph (1) according to claim 4, wherein each entry contains a personal identification number of the assigned driver and the tachograph (1) is further designed to, provide a personal identification number of a user defined as the primary user; and compare the personal identification numbers stored in the entries with the stored identification numbers in order to check whether a stored entry is assigned to a primary user.

6. The tachograph (1) according to claim 4 or 5, which is furthermore designed to delete one or more of the stored primary users if each of the entries stored in the memory unit (12) is assigned to a primary user and no entry can be deleted.

7. The tachograph (1) according to claim 4 or 5, which is furthermore designed, if each of the entries stored in the memory unit (12) is assigned to a primary user, to overwrite the entry with the oldest date information, regardless of the fact that said entry is assigned to a primary user.

8. A vehicle having a tachograph (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7.