Tachograph Function Activation via External Storage Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tachographs are often configured by manufacturers to only enable a subset of their available functions, requiring vehicle owners to visit a workshop for additional functionality activation, leading to idle time and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an external storage medium with executable program code that connects to the tachograph's interface, enabling functions through authentication, allowing customers to activate additional functions without a workshop visit, and enabling wireless data exchange with external systems securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tachograph is configured by the manufacturer with a subset of functions enabled, then the device complexity is reduced and security is improved, but the adaptability to customer requirements deteriorates and requires workshop visits
Solution Approach 1:
The customer can independently activate additional functions by inserting an external storage medium with authorization data into the tachograph's interface. The control unit automatically processes the activation without requiring workshop visits or specialist intervention, enabling customers to adapt the device to their own requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
An external storage medium serves as an intermediary carrier between the authorization source and the tachograph's control unit. It transports the necessary data and instructions for function activation, facilitating secure and simplified configuration changes without direct human intervention at the workshop level.
2Reliability
If the tachograph requires workshop visits for function activation, then security and proper configuration are ensured, but the loss of time due to vehicle idle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The customer performs the configuration activation themselves by inserting the external storage medium, eliminating the need to transport the vehicle to a workshop. This self-service approach maintains proper configuration through authorized data while completely eliminating vehicle idle time associated with workshop visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The authorization data and function activation instructions are prepared in advance on the external storage medium before the customer needs them. This preliminary preparation allows immediate activation when the storage medium is inserted, without requiring preliminary workshop scheduling or vehicle transport.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all functions are enabled by default in the control unit, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit's functions are segmented into two groups: a first group that is initially activated and executable, and a second group that exists but is not activated. This segmentation allows all functions to be available in the control unit while maintaining security by only enabling the necessary subset, with the ability to activate additional functions through the external storage medium when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for activating functions of at least one tachograph (10) which comprises a control unit (100; 100') and an interface (110) connected to said control unit, wherein the control unit is activated by a program to perform a first group (103) of functions. First, a connection (31) of an external storage medium (20) to the interface of the at least one tachograph is established. The storage medium comprises at least one instruction (210; 211) for activating a function, which can be read out by the control unit. An authentication (33) between the external storage medium and the control unit also takes place. The function associated with the at least one instruction is activated (35) in such a way that the function is associated with the first group of the control unit. Next, the connection between the external storage medium and the interface of the at least one tachograph is released (37). The invention further relates to a system comprising a tachograph and an external storage medium for performing the method.