Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
  • G07B15/00—Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/20—Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
  • B60R25/2018—Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/30—Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems
  • B60R25/33—Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
  • G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
  • G06F21/31—User authentication
  • G06F21/34—User authentication involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
  • G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
  • G06F21/44—Program or device authentication
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/02—Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/20—Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the automated and shared management of vehicles belonging to a fleet, for example a fleet of vehicles of a company, or a rental agency for short or long-term vehicles, or a fleet of vehicles. in shared or self-shared use.
• vehicles belonging to this type of vehicle fleet require, if one wishes to manage them automatically, specific equipment embedded in the vehicle called "telematics equipment".
• This equipment fulfills communication functions with a central fleet management platform.
• the telematics equipment also makes it possible to collect during the use of the vehicle, certain control parameters (for example the fuel consumption or the degree of wear of certain parts) as well as relevant data (mileage ...) for the billing of a service, for example, rental.
• these equipment make fuel management very complex. Indeed, these are often binding for the user as well as for the fleet manager in terms of control of consumption and billing. For example, they are often incompatible with oil tanker cards that facilitate fueling by the vehicle owner from the fleet.
• Another problem is vehicle key management, which is often inefficient because: - either it requires the intervention of a human counter, or it poses security problems, forgetfulness or loss, if they are kept by the user.
• the document FR 2 792 754 proposes a control system for a motor vehicle fleet.
• Each motor vehicle can be activated by means of a key associated with a badge.
• This badge is capable of storing vehicle identification information.
• the object of the invention is to improve the management of a fleet of motor vehicles, both for the fleet manager in terms of quality and ease of management and cost, and for the user of the vehicle in terms of simplicity of use and security.
• the invention proposes to define a management system of a fleet of motor vehicles that can operate at a limited cost, and to take into account a maximum of parameters concerning the management of the fleet itself, as well as the operation of the vehicle (mileage, fuel) while remaining easy to use.
• a management system of a fleet of motor vehicles comprising a central platform capable of storing data for the management of the fleet and a remote interface of the vehicle for communication between a driver and the central platform.
• each vehicle of the fleet is accessible via a memory key capable of storing data relating to the identification and operation of the vehicle, as well as data relating to the fleet management contract, and to allow management of the start / immobilizer and locking / unlocking functions of the vehicle, each key being activatable and releasable by the central platform (1), at the request of the user via said remote interface of the vehicle able to communicate with the platform Central.
• the communication between the remote interface of the vehicle and the driver and his vehicle is via a memory key.
• said memory key comprises a communication module able to communicate with the interface and / or the vehicle.
• the communication module may use wired and / or wireless communication technology.
• said interface may be an automaton comprising supports for storing the memory keys of the vehicles of the fleet and a data carrier.
• the controller is able to read and transfer data directly from the keys to the platform.
• said interface may be a computer.
• This computer may be able to communicate with the central platform via a computer network, for example an Internet network or an intranet or extranet network.
• a computer network for example an Internet network or an intranet or extranet network.
• said central platform may include an interactive application, a fleet management system and an information system.
• the information system may include billing means and reservation means capable of establishing communication between the user and the central platform, so that the user can reserve a vehicle of the fleet.
• a method of managing a motor vehicle fleet comprising a data storage phase for fleet management by a central platform and a communication phase between a user and the central platform via a remote interface of the vehicle.
• each vehicle of the fleet is accessed by means of a corresponding memory key in which data relating to the identification and operation of a vehicle are stored.
• said central platform activates said memory key at the request of the user via said interface during the communication phase, so as to authorize any action by the user towards the vehicle.
• Said memory key communicates directly with said interface and / or the vehicle. It is communicating type.
• the method comprises a step of remotely providing a vehicle of the fleet by a user via an automaton forming said interface.
• Said rental stage includes: an identification of the user, proving his adhesion to the service which gives him access to the fleet of vehicles by reading the data related to the user, authentication of the user's membership rights, an allocation of a vehicle from the fleet to the user if the user is authenticated, an identification of the memory key associated with the vehicle assigned to the user, a reading and a transfer of the data necessary for the journey of the user, from the central platform to the identified memory key, a release by the PLC, of the key assigned to the user.
• the method may comprise a step of returning a vehicle of the fleet by a user via an automaton forming said interface.
• Said restitution step may comprise: an identification of said memory key associated with the returned vehicle and the corresponding rental, an authentication of the user and his rights, - a confirmation of the return of the vehicle, a reading and a transfer of the data relating to the user's journey, the state of the vehicle, the memory key to the central platform, a closing of the rental of the vehicle, and advantageously - an immediate or deferred billing of the rental of the vehicle to the vehicle. 'user.
• the method may include prior to the vehicle rental step, a vehicle reservation step.
• the invention also relates to an automaton for a motor vehicle fleet management system comprising a data carrier able to manage information transferred by a central platform of the management system storing data for managing the fleet, storage of motor vehicle keys, and a means of displaying useful information for a user of one of the motor vehicles.
• a data carrier able to manage information transferred by a central platform of the management system storing data for managing the fleet, storage of motor vehicle keys, and a means of displaying useful information for a user of one of the motor vehicles.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the various reservation means that can be used to reserve a vehicle of the automobile fleet according to the invention
• FIG. 5 illustrates the various steps for making available the vehicle
• figure 6 illustrates the different stages for the restitution of a v vehicle of a fleet of motor vehicles, using a PLC.
• FIG. 1 is shown an embodiment of a management system of a fleet of motor vehicles.
• the management system comprises a central platform 1 capable of managing all the information concerning the fleet of motor vehicles such as their use and billing. To do this, the central platform includes a fleet management system 2.
• the fleet management system 2 can manage the allocation of vehicles, the number of incoming vehicles, the number of outgoing vehicles, the number of vehicles available, their location, their maintenance ...
• the central platform 1 also includes an interactive application 3 able to inform the user of his rights and the operation of the motor vehicle fleet.
• the central platform (1) also comprises an information system 5 which includes means for establishing the billing of the user as to the use of a motor vehicle (time, kilometers traveled, fuel, service. ..).
• the information system 5 further comprises reservation means for recording the reservation of a vehicle made in advance or at the last minute by a user.
• the communication between the driver and the interactive application 3 is via an interface, which will be described in more detail below.
• the information system 5 and the fleet management system 2 can exchange data via a connection 4.
• the interface between the central platform and the user / driver may be a keyed automaton 6.
• This controller 6 communicates with the information system 5. It receives reservation-specific information such as the identity of the reserved vehicle, information related to the customer or the user of the reserved vehicle, the time of the reservation ... More precisely, the controller 6 comprises several supports 7a where are arranged the keys of the vehicle of the car fleet.
• the controller 6 also includes a data carrier, for example a memory (not shown for simplification purposes). This memory makes it possible to manage the information transferred by the central platform 1, and more specifically by the fleet management system 2 via a connection 2a and by the information system 5 via a connection 5a.
• the controller 6 may include a display screen 7b so as to display useful information for the user.
• the display screen 7b makes it possible to display safety-related information such as the tire pressure, the levels of the different liquids and the location of the vehicle.
• the controller 6 identifies the user and communicates with him. This identification can be done via an interface (touch screen or keyboard, for example) by reading a subscriber card, for example a smart card, or a corporate badge or any other medium including means of identification. interaction with the automaton and means for reading the identifier.
• a mobile phone January 1 shown in Figure 1 can play the role of transmission of the identifier to the controller 6 via wireless communication.
• this system sends back to the controller 6 the authorization provision of the vehicle which results in the release of the key 10 of the corresponding vehicle in the key holder 7.
• the controller 6 communicates with each memory key 10 via a connection 10a. This communication is done either via an integrated reader type RFID, USB that can read and write data on memory sticks, or remotely using a communication module integrated in the memory key if it is communicating type.
• the communicating type memory key will be described in more detail below.
• the interface between the user and the central platform 1 can also be a computer 13, for example the personal computer of the user. This interface is particularly suitable when the user has his own memory key 14.
• the computer 13 communicates with the interactive application 3 user and at the same time with the information system 5 via a network type Internet or Intranet or Extranet . More specifically, it communicates with the reservation system 5 via a connection 16 and which in turn communicates with the interactive application 3.
• the personal memory key 14 of the vehicle and the computer 13 communicate with each other via a connection 15. connection 15 can be carried out either by a specific integrated reader, or by the communication module of the key if it is communicating type.
• Memory keys are described for example in EP 1 138563.
• a memory key provides the conventional functions of a vehicle key such as managing the immobilizer, starting and locking / unlocking the vehicle.
• a type of memory key that is particularly suitable for use in a fleet management system via, for example, the automaton makes it possible to store a vehicle identification number, for example the VIN number ("Vehicle Identification Number" in the English language). ). This number is assigned to the vehicle during its manufacture: it is written hard on the memory of its key.
• the memory can store data, more particularly related to the management of the fleet. They are updated regularly.
• these rewritable data may include: vehicle related information (mileage, fluid level, defects); this information is automatically transmitted from the vehicle 8 to its key 10, whenever the vehicle engine is turned on or off, or while driving; more generally, the vehicle transmits information that can be used by the after-sales service or by the various technical repair or vehicle rental fleet management maintenance services; information relating to both the fleet and vehicle management contract (user details, personal settings, contracts, interview and intervention history, emergency information, etc.); Multimedia type information (audio, video, image, etc.).
• vehicle related information mileage, fluid level, defects
• this information is automatically transmitted from the vehicle 8 to its key 10, whenever the vehicle engine is turned on or off, or while driving; more generally, the vehicle transmits information that can be used by the after-sales service or by the various technical repair or vehicle rental fleet management maintenance services; information relating to both the fleet and vehicle management contract (user details, personal settings, contracts, interview and intervention history, emergency information, etc.); Multimedia type information (audio, video, image, etc.).
• the integrity of the data stored in the key is ensured by the prohibition of access to its memory. Indeed, the user can not access it directly but must go through the interactive application 3 via an interface (for example the PLC 6) to load or unload information on or its key to access the services of the platform.
• an interface for example the PLC 6
• the direct and automatic connection of the key 14 to the computer 13 makes it possible to control the access to the data.
• connection automatically triggers, via an automatic launch type application, the opening of a browser window of the Internet application of the computer.
• the identifier corresponding to the vehicle identification number is automatically documented. The user then only has to enter his password.
• This feature represents a huge advantage in terms of comfort, reliability and ease of use.
• the communicating type memory key preferably comprises a microprocessor 30, a battery 31 connected to the microprocessor via a connection 32, a memory 33 connected to the microprocessor via a connection 34 and an HMI man / machine interface 35 connected to the microprocessor via a connection 36. .
• the battery 31 is rechargeable via a wired connection (such as a computer bus for connecting computer peripherals to a computer for serial communication, otherwise known as "USB") to the user interface (eg laptop) or the vehicle. .
• a wired connection such as a computer bus for connecting computer peripherals to a computer for serial communication, otherwise known as "USB"
• USB serial communication
• the memory 33 is intended to store all the data received either from the motor vehicle via a particular unit, from the user interface such as its laptop computer, or from the user himself directly via the man / machine interface 35.
• the capacity of the memory 33 can be up to several hundred megabytes.
• the communicating type memory key comprises one (or more) communication module (s) 37 connected to the microprocessor 30 via a connection 38.
• the communication module 37 can communicate with surrounding elements using a wired or wireless network.
• the communication module is able to establish a communication: - between the vehicle and the user interface such as a personal computer or a telephone or personal digital diary connected to the Internet, so as to transmit information of the vehicle at the interface or conversely, - with any communicating element of the fleet management system such as a WiFi terminal.
• the communication module 37 is able to enter into communication with the vehicle to which the key is associated via an onboard communication unit (not shown for simplification purposes).
• the microprocessor 30 is connected via the man / machine interface 35 to different auxiliary modules such as: a display 39 by a connection 40, one or more light-emitting diodes 41 by a connection 42, a speaker 43 by a connection 44, a microphone 45 by a connection 46, a vibrator 47 by a connection 48, control buttons 49 by a connection 50.
• auxiliary modules such as: a display 39 by a connection 40, one or more light-emitting diodes 41 by a connection 42, a speaker 43 by a connection 44, a microphone 45 by a connection 46, a vibrator 47 by a connection 48, control buttons 49 by a connection 50.
• the man / machine interface 35 coupled to these various auxiliary modules, makes it possible to make available to the user: information on the status of the vehicle (locked or unlocked), information concerning the location of the vehicle, Emergency practical information, configured via the service portal, all of this information being transmitted to the user via the display 39, alerts (maintenance to be carried out, fuel level, expiry of the rental contract, etc.). by means of the display 39 and / or the diodes 41 and / or the buzzer 47, voice memos (parking space, etc.) recorded by the microphone 45, or even music broadcast by the loudspeaker 45.
• a software application fulfilling the functions described above (as well as vehicle access control and immobilizer) and embedded in a communicating personal object (mobile phone or PND or MP3 player or t LePhone smart ( “smartphone” in English), can play the role of the key to connecting memory type.
• the communicating personal object can communicate with wireless technologies.
• Figure 3 illustrates the various possible modes of communication between the various elements that comprises the management system of the motor vehicle fleet.
• the personal computer 13 used as the user interface or booking medium can communicate with the central platform 1 via an Internet / Intranet or Extranet type connection (connection 16).
• the central platform 1 can communicate via a WiFi network
• This WiFi terminal 20 may for example be used to trace the vehicle data after use, either because the vehicles communicate with this terminal, or the communicating type memory key 10 which has memorized said data communicates on a WiFi mode with this terminal, either a personal object communicates with the vehicle (on a wired or wireless mode).
• the object used to identify the user (smart card, badge, mobile phone) 1 1 can communicate with the key controller 6 via a connection of "Bluetooth”, “RFId”, “USB” or “WiFi” type réelle
• the key controller 6 can communicate with the communicating type memory keys arranged in its supports 7a via a connection 10a of the "Bluetooth”, “RFId”, “USB” or “WiFi” type.
• connection 9 is of the "Bluetooth”, “RFId” or "USB” type.
• the vehicle 8 preferably comprises a serial system BUS 27 (well known under the abbreviation CAN, ie "Controller Area Network” in English), from computers 23, 24 or sensors 25, 26.
• CAN Controller Area Network
• the reservation can be made via a service portal that opens upon connection of the communicating memory key 14 or not, specific to the user.
• the interactive application 3 can offer additional services such as navigation assistance, personalized settings or multimedia applications.
• the reservation can also be made using the mobile phone 30 of the user or any other communicating object.
• the mobile phone 30 provides direct access to the reservation system 3 via a connection 31. The user can then download his rights and information related to his reservation on his mobile phone 30.
• the user can extend his reservation or reserve a vehicle at the last minute thanks to his user and / or subscriber card or any other interface (terminal) giving access to the booking application via the PLC 6.
• the extension of the reservation can also be made through a communicating type memory key.
• connection of this key to the interactive application 3 associated with the central platform and accessible from a PC makes it possible to extend the reservation.
• the programming of the new rights of the user can be done directly in the key 10 of the vehicle and can be communicated to the useful interface.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the various steps of an embodiment of the method according to the invention as to the loan for rental of a motor vehicle using a PLC.
• the automaton reads the card, the badge, or any other user or subscriber element 100.
• the rights of the subscriber are authenticated 101 by the user's password. If the authentication fails, the request of the user or the subscribed user is not followed.
• the authenticated user confirms via the interface his request.
• the information is transmitted by the controller 6 to the reservation system via a communication.
• a direct local matching via the platform between a reserved vehicle of the fleet and the user is therefore carried out 102. If no reservation has been made, the interactive application 3 studies the request of the user 103. vehicle is available 104, it is not acted upon the request of the subscribed user.
• the controller identifies the key associated with the vehicle that has been assigned during the mapping step 105.
• the controller reads data from the central platform and transfers it to key 106 of the assigned vehicle.
• the transfer is carried out either with the aid of a suitable reader (in the case of a non communicating key) or thanks to the communication module integrated in the key (in the case of a communicating key).
• Some of the information intended for the user is displayed for example on the PLC screen or on the screen of the memory key or on a ticket printed by the PLC for the user before the departure of the user. -this. This information informs the user of the status of the vehicle.
• Data and rights associated with the rental of the vehicle are then entered in the key given to the user 108: rental of the vehicle, reservation data, information on the journey (route for example). Then, the automaton releases the key corresponding to the reserved vehicle
• Figure 6 illustrates the various steps for the return of the vehicle rented or borrowed by the user.
• the automaton reads the data of the key of the vehicle used by the user 200. The key is identified and the authenticated client 201. Then it is asked for a confirmation of the return of the vehicle 202. Otherwise, the automaton asks if he wishes an extension of the rent or the loan 203. If the user does not want to prolong, the request is not followed up.
• the rental steps 100 to 109 described above are repeated 204. If the user confirms the return of the vehicle, the controller reads the data stored by the memory key during use. of the vehicle that has just been returned. These data are then transferred to the central platform 205, more precisely to the information system 5 and the other hand to the interactive application 3 for tracking its reservation.
• the loan or rental of vehicle 206 is then terminated.
• a billing will be published later to the user 207 by the billing means of the information system 5.
• the information concerning the state of the vehicle and any alerts stored in the memory key are sent to the fleet management system 2 of the central platform 208.
• a possible immobilization of the vehicle is then triggered by the fleet management system 2, 209. If it is not necessary, the vehicle is then returned to service 210. Otherwise, the vehicle is removed from the fleet of motor vehicles available for rental until it is repaired.
• the fleet management system of motor vehicles therefore has a high usability for the user, compared to a vehicle with an on-board communication system (telematics).
• the costs of the management system as described above are greatly reduced, since it is no longer necessary to equip all vehicles with an on-board communication system.
• this system is suitable for services that require fleet management of shared-use vehicles, car-sharing type, auto-service car, pools of company vehicles not dedicated to specific people, short lease automated duration, more or less without a counter. Indeed, when a certain number of vehicles remain grouped in the same area, while remaining easy to use, the system allows the activation of the access functions, start and management of the vehicle data and the delivery to distance of the corresponding keys, without the need to equip these vehicles in an expensive way, which is the case of the most automated carsharing systems.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Software Systems (AREA)
• Development Economics (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Economics (AREA)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Marketing (AREA)
• Operations Research (AREA)
• Quality & Reliability (AREA)
• Strategic Management (AREA)
• General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
• Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

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• 2007
  • 2007-03-23 FR FR0754000A patent/FR2914096B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-03-21 JP JP2010500330A patent/JP2010522392A/ja active Pending
  • 2008-03-21 EP EP08775740A patent/EP2125452A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-03-21 US US12/532,636 patent/US20100114616A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-03-21 WO PCT/FR2008/050502 patent/WO2008132394A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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