NZ204694A

NZ204694A - Taximeter

Info

Publication number: NZ204694A
Application number: NZ204694A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: K Scott
Original assignee: Electronic Innovations
Priority date: 1983-06-24
Filing date: 1983-06-24
Publication date: 1988-04-29
Also published as: DK308384D0; SE8403380L; AU2979384A; NO842536L; NL8401984A; DE3423355A1; GB2143981A; GB2143981B; DK308384A; GB8416179D0; SE8403380D0

Description

204694 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No204694 Date; 24 June 1983 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Tax une'ters Improvements in or relating to Taxi Meters fi/We ELECTRONIC INNOVATIONS PTE LIMITED a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore of c/o Samas Pte Limited, The Aroade, 11 Collyer Quay, Singapore 0104 hereby declare the invention for which E/ we pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - This invention relates to transport data processes. *v0=|| 3 S ^ ;In the passenger transport industry there is a growing need for increased efficiency flexibility and versatility whether the vehicle be a taxi a mini bus or a bus. Passengers demand faster response times and cheaper fare's. ;It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport data processor which will go at least some distance towards meeting the foregoing desiderata or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. ;10 Accordingly the invention consists in a transport data processor comprising processing means, non volatile storage means, data communication means and display means, said processing means being arranged to process and control the transfer of data, including fixed and running data, between said 15 data communication means, said storage means and said display means, including the calculation of charges and the direction of required data to said data communication means and/or said display means as appropriate. ;One preferred form of the invention will now be described ;20 with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, ;Fig. 1 is a block schematic diagram of one preferred form of transport data processor according to the invention, ;Fig. 2 is a block diagram as in Fig. 1 including a second micro processor to perform some of the functions of the meter, ;Fig. 3 is a block diagram as in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the display and control panel constitutes a remote unit, ;Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of mobile equipment including a taximeter and its peripherals. ;Figs. 5,6 & 7 show a display panel for use with the transport data 30 processor of the invention in different modes of operation, and ;Fig. 8 is a block diagram representing a Hall Effect s.ensof^*f(or use in one form of the invention. >^^NT In the preferred form of the invention a an sport d)a\ \ . O, f U DEC 1987 20469'-! processor or metering device is provided which includes a processing means, interfacing means, a non-volatile storage means and a display means. The processing means processes or controls data passing to and from peripheral units including units such as a printer, credit card reader, data radio, base computer, storage means and the display means all of which are wellknown in themselves.

The processing means also performs all the 10 calculations involving transactions and fare metering. The storage means provides retention of both fixed and running data. Fixed data refers to information which is altered relatively infrequently such as fare scheduling data and the 15 like and which can be organised for optimum flexibility. Running data refers to data relating to the operation of the vehicle such as the distance travelled and other data which is based on a particular trip. The display means includes a 20 fare readout, a readout suitable for displaying messages such as may be held in the data storage means or which may be received from other peripheral units such as dispatch information, or district status information, credit card type, meter status or cariff. 25 The interfacing means preferably are provided in the form of a plurality of serial communication ports through which operating instructions, data 304S94 and/or messages can be passed and directed to the required peripheral or to the processing means.

The routing of such information is preferably controlled by the processing means. The preferred form of the invention will' be described by reference to a taximeter communicating directly with peripheral units but the invention is useable as a vehicle mounted processing means in a separate housing controlling peripherals as described above plus a control/display panel for ,driver of the operation and display of the taxi fare. The invention can be modularized in one of a number of ways, including constructions in which the peripherals are contained within a single housing unit with the central unit or attached to that central unit.

Where the system is to be used in a mass transport system such as a bus or parcel system, it may be impractical or undesirable to display charges as they accrue. In such circumstances by passing a charged card or a prepaid card through a card reader peripheral at the beginning of the trip and again upon alighting i.e. at the end of the trip the individual transaction can be recorded and payment either automatically debited or charged. Tickets and receipts can likewise be automatically issued.

In computing a fare to be charged a transport data processor for example a taximeter fuse's as a ~ 1 basis distance travelled and waiting time incurred. O Waiting time is normally charged only when the speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined limit. The distance information is provided through the speedometer drive system sensed by a suitable transducer or in the case of electronic speedometers the distance information can be determined directly from the vehicle wiring. The meter uses the distance and timing circuits to compute the fare in accordance with the fare structure in force for that particular hiring. This structure can be held in the fixed data memory or in the event of special fare structures can be communicated through a radio link from a base computer to the taximeter. Under normal circumstances however the particular fare structure will be read from the fixed data memory and used to compute the fare. The fare structure, that is the tariff number, could be selected manually, or automatically in accordance for example with the time of day, nature of the fare, district or zone. This selection and/or the application of additional charges can be made from a base station through a radio link. Likewise where the tariff is required to change during a trip due to entering a new zone or entering a time of day for which different tariffs are applicable the selection can be made automatically. Furthermore the tariff structure can be enhanced^Js®— accommodate a plurality of passengers where individual passengers can share a taxi and travel at rates cheaper than individual rates. This can be implemented by dividing each tariff rate into a number of subrates, each subrate being related to the number of passengers sharing the taxi at that particular time. Thus with the combination of fixed data memory and data communication to a base computer control or variation of the fare structure and the simplicity of operation are great.

Referring to figure 1 a taximeter is shown comprising a micro processor 1, a programmable read only memory (PROM) 2, a random access memory (RAM) 3 and a connection means, such as an an input output control (IOC) 4. The micro processor 1 carries out the required computations of the taximeter under the control of the programme contained in the PROM 2. RAM 3 is a non-volatile memory storing both fixed data and running data. This memory can be in the form of an electrically alterable read only memory, a battery back CMOS memory or other equivalent device. The IOC 4 provides interfacing between peripherals . such as above set forth and in particular provides an input/outport port for example a serial port through which the fare schedule can be passed or controlled for example, through a radio data link which may utilise an existing radio telephQne-link " " to a base computer. ^ ^ 204694 Distance information is obtained from the speedometer cable 5 by means of a HALL effect sensor 6 which detects the rotating magnetic field of a small magnetic collar 7 attached to the cable 5. The Hall Effect sensor preferably passes a signal to an amplifier 37 and then to a schmidt trigger 8 so as to provide the required digital pulse to the micro processor 1.

The fare to be paid is displayed on a display panel 9 which in its simplest form can be a row of 10 seven segment digital displays but in the preferred form of the invention where it is desired also to display messages on the display panel 9 a dot matrix panel is preferred. This can take the form of an LCD panel or an LED alpha numeric display with 15 suitable decoder driver chips 10.

In addition to displaying fare this panel 9 can display accumulated trip related data as well as messages to identify the display parameter, meter mode or status tariff and switch labels and information 20 can also be displayed relating to the fare or fares and passenger or passengers.

Taxi dispatch information and zone queueing information can be displayed on the panel 9 also.

Operation may be effected by four push button 25 switches 11 by reference to figure 1 being labelled 11a lib 11c lid in figures 5 to 7. The function of the switches 11a to lid is dependent upon the mode 204694 of the meter that is to say when hired the switches may be assigned the functions each of the switch "rate" "extras" "fare" and "receipt" for example.

When vacant the operation may relate to job dispatching and the switches may be assigned the functions "mode" "accept" "reject" "totals" and in a search mode the switches may be assigned the functions "mode" "queue" "zone" and "schedule." A capacity is provided to drive indicator lamp circuit 12 external to the meter and depending upon the local requirements these can include "engaged," "for hire," "stopped," "tariff," "number of passengers," "penal rates" and "courtesy light" for example.

To allow for automatic tarrif changes at night and on holidays and also to provide dated receipts a real time device such as clock 13 which is controlled by the micro processor 1 and is powered desirably by auxiliary battery. Other functional blocks shown on the schematic diagram of figure 1 include a power supply 14 and an address latch 15 as may be required.

Inputs to the IOC 4 can include for example, engine data, such as engine speed, fuel useage, temperature and fault parameters. The software can process this to provide information on vehicle operating conditions and performance.

As the regulations pertaining to taximeters differ from country to country and because the particular function of the system depends largely on its software rather than the hardware hereinbefore described the software is written preferably in a high level language so as to be easily changed to meet any requirements and in the next part of the description an arbitrary taxi trip will be described in order to explain the operation of the mobile system.

With the taxi initially vacant and the driver seeking a fare or passengers the driver is able to interrogate the taxi queues in his area through the control panel as shown at figure 5 to seek data relating to the various zones or ranks which are able to be displayed on his panel through the radio link 16 in figure 4 which links with the base computer.

With the meter initially showing vacant at 17 and the zone selected at 18 by operation of button lib the base computer knows that that particular taxi is available and also which zone the taxi is in.

When a job passenger or fare is allocated to this taxi the address is displayed as shown at 2 0 in figure 6 and the driver can accept or reject the job by pushing the appropriate button lib or lip 204694 indicated in figure 6. Assuming that the driver accepts the job and drives to the address required.

When the passenger enters the car the mode button 11a is pressed to select the metering mode and the fare is started on the appropriate tarrif see figure 7 which is indicated at 21. The tariff can be set manually or automatically using information within the meter that is to say stored in the RAM 3 or can be set automatically using information received from the base computer through the radio link 16.

In certain places discount fares are available to special categories of passengers for example the elderly and the handicapped. In these circumstances the appropriately magnetically coded card provided by the passenger is entered into the card reader 2 3 and the transaction adjusted and recorded accordingly.

The card reader 2 3 can be caused to accept standard credit cards and also credit cards appropriate to that taxi operation also. On line validity checking is of course possible. If manual operation is required the fare is started by using the fare button 11c in figure 7 and the fare is displayed as it accrues at 2 4 and extras can be incremented by the use of button lib so that the extras are shown at 25 in the manner presently known. At the end of the trip the fare to be paid can be either charged to an account 204694 using a card in the credit card reader 23 or paid by cash. A receipt can be issued from the receipt printer 25 and can include for example data time trip reference number fare paid and the like. Upon clearing the fare from the meter another job can be requested or issues on the queue situation can be interrogated again as above described.

For efficient management of taxi fleets drivers can use specially coded magnetic cards to sign on and off thus the base knows at all times how many and which taxis are operating and who the driver is. Metering can be disabled and this is done if required for example this can be achieved by inhibiting the operation of the meter until the driver using a magnetic card in the card reader 2 3 signs on. An acknowledgement from the base to the radio link 16 signals the beginning of the driver's shift and the meter is accordingly enabled and enters the for hire mode automatically. The driver can sign off in a similar manner and the signing off can be used to initiate a printout of running totals for that shift. These totals can be transmitted to the base and it would be possible to use this information to for example calculate the driver's wages.

If desired a prepaid card system can be used whereby the fare is automatically discounted from a passenger's credit by the base computer through information relayed through the radio link 16.

A printout of the fare schedule on the display and/or the printer could be instigated by pressing an appropriate button 11a to lid. This would read 5 the fare schedule from the fixed memory 3 and display in it a suitable form. Where the fare schedule required updating from time to time in accordance for example with local regulations the new fare schedule data can be transmitted from the 10 base station through the radio link 16 to for example taxis either individually or collectively in a suitably coded manner in order to update the data held in the fixed data memory 3. An alternative method is to access the data passed through the rear 15 connector or a serial port with a programming unit.

In addition to shift totals non-erasable continuous totals can be logged and displayed or printed.

Data from the taxi base by use of the base computer and the radio link 16 can be used to control 20 the taximeter to for example start and stop the fare, change the tariff, increment extra charges, implement special rates, request operating data, cancel a fare, disable and enable the meter operation, discount the taxi fare, acknowledge valid credit 25 cards, access running totals or other data held in the meter, update the fare schedule data, and alter " ' ~ " " or synchronise the time of day clock 13 s - \ 16 DEC 1987 \ 204694 In the construction shown in figure 2 the main processor 1 is freed from the tasks of metering by the provision of a second micro computer or processor 30 which is in the form of a dedicated controller linked to the main processor 1 through the input/output controller 4.

In the construction shown in figure 3 the display and control panel 9 is provided in a remote unit 31 connected to the meter through the serial input and output controller of 4.

Figure 4 shows in particular how the various peripheral units fit in with the meter.

Thus it can be seen that at least in the preferred form of the invention an integrated transport data processor is provided which is able to provide data communication between a base and mobile units carried on a vehicle linking a metering device, credit card or similar reader printer with the base computer through a radio link. The result at least in the preferred form of the invention is an efficient computerised system which can be easily tailored to meet the needs of any transport industry.

Thus a metering device is provided which can be readily programmed, preferably in a high level computer language, to adapt easily to virtually any rapid transport system, and to interface with peripherals to constitute a transport management system. The metering device also serves as a system interfacing unit, visual display panel and a fare calculating computer. -01394

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS;

1. A transport data processor comprising processing means, non volatile storage means, data communication means and display means, said processing means being arranged to process and control transfer of data, including fixed and running data, between said data communication means, said storage means and said display means, including calculation of charges and direction of required data to said data communication means and/or said display means as appropriate; said data communication means including a radio data link to allow remote radio control of the transport data processor operation.

2. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transport data processor comprises a taximeter.

3. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data processing means processes and controls the transfer of data further including text messages.

4. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data communication means includes connection means through which peripheral equipment is connected to said processing means.

5. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 4 wherein said peripheral equipment includes a data radio and one or more of a card reader, or a printer, operation of said transport data processor being capable of being controlled or affected by incoming data from said data radio. -15-

6. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 5 wherein said peripheral equipment includes a card reader, operation of said transport data processor being capable of being controlled or affected by incoming data from said card reader.

7. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display means display data and messages including charges and despatch messages received through said communication means.

8. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 contained in a housing, one or more of said articles of peripheral equipment being contained in or attached to said housing.

9. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display means comprise a dot matrix type display unit suitable for displaying fare and despatch related data and text.

10. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display means are remotely positioned from said processing means, being connected to said processing means through said communication means.

11. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display means include a control panel haaring a plurality ^ 0 ^ of switches thereon, said switches having varying'functions depending on a mode of operation of

12. A transport data processor as c said control panel is positioned rei means. -16- 204694

13. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data communication means receives engine data to enable said processing means to provide information on vehicle

14. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communication means enables a base data processor to preload special fares, surcharges and rates into said storage means.

15. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 8 at least one of said processing means, said data communication means, and said display means being attached to said housing.

16. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said radio data link is disposed between said transport data processor and a base data processor.

17. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communication means enables said processing means to receive data to alter a fare schedule held in said storage means.

18. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said communication means enables said processing means to transfer transaction information to said base data processor.

19. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said communication means enables said processing means to transfer information indicating status of said transport data processor to said base data processor. operating conditions and performance. <f A ^ -17- -01394

20. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said communication means enables said transport data processor to transfer cumulative operating information to said base data processor.

21. A transport data processor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said communication means enables said transport data processor to transfer transaction status information to said base data processor.

22. A transport data processor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS DAY OF Ckc&r>bes A.J. PARK & SON PER AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANT