USOO8626568B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Warkentin et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8.626,568 B2
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`(54) FLEET VEHICLE MANAGEMENTSYSTEMS
`AND METHODS
`
`(75) Inventors: Colin D Warkentin, St. Catharines
`(CA); Rakinder Kalirai, Burlington
`S. Christopher Alexander Sekula,
`ississauga (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: XRS Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`9.3. Yerge et al.
`f
`29:
`bault
`7, 2002 Thibault
`6.421,590 B2
`6,639,898 B1 10/2003 Dutta et al.
`6,714,857 B2
`3/2004 Kapolka et al.
`6,904,363 B2
`6/2005 Inbar et al.
`6,938,099 B2
`8, 2005 Morton et al.
`6,947,737 B2
`9/2005 Massie et al.
`7.024,199 B1
`4/2006 Massie et al.
`7,043,365 B2
`5, 2006 Inbar et al.
`7,068,992 B1
`6/2006 Massie et al.
`7,089,322 B1
`8, 2006 Stallmann
`7,117,075 B1
`10/2006 Larschan et al.
`7,136,642 B1 11/2006 Massie et al.
`7,162,238 B1
`1/2007 Massie et al.
`7,230,944 B1
`6/2007 Massie et al.
`(Continued)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/174,331
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 30, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2013/OOO67.15A1
`Jan. 3, 2013
`
`(2012.01)
`(51) 23, 0/00
`(2012.01)
`G06O 10/06
`(2012.01)
`G06O 10/10
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ G060 10/0639 (2013.01); G060 10/10
`(2013.01); G06O 10/063 (2013.01); G06O
`10/06398 (2013.01); G06O 10/06 (2013.01)
`USPC ......................................................... 705/7.38
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5.359.528 A 10, 1994 Haendeletal
`5,612,875 A
`3, 1997 Haendel et al.
`5,694,322 A 12/1997 Westerlage et al.
`5,953,319 A
`9, 1999 Dutta et al.
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`KR
`KR
`WO
`WO
`
`102005.0038862
`4/2005
`102O110011450
`2, 2011
`2007/022154
`2, 2007
`2007022154
`2, 2007
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`On Board Communications, SafetyTraks Web Application Guide,
`2008 http://info.safetytraks.com/safetytrakSusersmanual.pdf.*
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner - Mark A Fleischer
`Assistant Examiner — Octavian Rotaru
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Fish & Richardson P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Some embodiments of a system for communicating vehicle
`information can provide equipment for use inside a fleet
`vehicle to facilitate prompt and efficient transfer of vehicle
`and driver information. In particular embodiments, the sys
`tem may include an electronic onboard recorder mountable in
`a vehicle and a mobile communication device that is config
`ured to wireless communication with the electronic onboard
`recorder.
`
`24 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`DJI-1025
`IPR2023-01107
`
`

`

`US 8,626,568 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`7/2008 Thayer
`7401,741 B2
`8/2010 Witty et al.
`7,784,707 B2
`9/2010 Thayer
`7,802,729 B2
`5, 2013 Harter et al.
`8.442,508 B2
`3, 2002 Morton et al.
`2002fOO32018 A1
`3/2002 Warkentin ...................... 7O1/29
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`2/2004 Inbar et al.
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`8, 2004 Thome et al.
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`2, 2006 Cummins et al.
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`2006, O184613 A1
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`2008. O1882.17 A1
`8, 2008 Harter et al.
`2008/0269978 A1 10, 2008 Shirole et al.
`2010/0210212 A1* 8, 2010 Sato ............................. 455,413
`2011/O125663 A1
`5, 2011 Kraft
`2012/0065815 A1
`3/2012 Hess ................................. 7O1/2
`2013, OOO6715 A1
`1/2013 Warkentin et al.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`On Board Communications, FleetTraks Web Application Guide,
`2007
`http://www.onboardcommunications.com/
`2007%20Web%20Application%20User'620Guide.pdf, *
`On Board Communications, FleetTraks Web Application Guide,
`2008
`http://www.dtegps.com/2008 Web Application User
`Guide.pdf*
`EOBR testimonial from Intermodal C&K Trucking, for Xata Turn
`pike, Youtube, Uploaded by XataNation on Jun. 29, 2011 http://www.
`youtube.com/watch?v=Xg4y5KauJi0.*
`tpMobile—Android Apps on Google Play, Google Play Webpages,
`Apr. 2011 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.TPG.
`tpMobile&hl=en.*
`EOBR Compliance on Android, Windows Mobile & Blackberry
`devices, by Xata Road, Youtube, uploaded by XataNation on May, 27
`2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEC5ALV7uE.*
`Fleet Management and EOBR Xata Turnpike on Verizon, Youtube,
`uploaded by XataNation on Jun. 29, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/
`watch?v=t- ZsdixC20&feature=BFa
`&list=PL6CEEOD5DF545418O.
`EOBR Rules made easy with Xata Road Science, Youtube, uploaded
`by XataNation on May 5, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/
`watch?v=HIN6IH9MABS&feature=bf next
`&list=PL6CEEOD5DF545418O.
`EOBR Compliance on Android, Windows Mobile and Blackberry
`devices Xata, part 1. Youtube, uploaded by XataNation on May 27,
`1011
`http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEC5ALV7uE
`&feature=bf prev&list=PL6CEEOD5DF5454180.*
`EOBR Compliance on Android, Windows Mobile and Blackberry
`devices Xata, part 2, Youtube, uploaded by XataNation on May 27,
`
`http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEC5ALV7uE
`2011
`&feature=bf prev&list=PL6CEEOD5DF5454180.*
`EOBR Install, Xata Turnpike Routetracker, Youtube, uploaded by
`XataNation on Jul.
`21, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/
`watch?v=67mGY 5CYTE&feature=bf next
`&list=PL6CEEOD5DF545418O.
`XATA XRSNation FleetManagement, Overview of posted videos,
`Youtube, Apr. 2011-2012.*
`Xata turnpike, user manual v 3-5 for Motorola Phone, undated http://
`XrScorp.com/media/docs/drivers-manual-motorola.pdf
`Xata tp mobile driver handbook for windows mobile, undated http://
`XrScorp.com/media/docs/drivers-manual-windows-mobile.pdf
`Xata tp mobile driver handbook for android, undated http://xrscorp.
`com/media/docs/drivers-manual-android.pdf
`Pritchett Trucking Inc. Renews Contract for MobileMax by Xata,
`Xata Webpages Mar. 16, 2010 http://xatadev2.firebrandmg.com/
`news/news-press-releases-events-and-investor-news/2010/16
`march?.
`Predestination Transportation Chooses XATA for FleetManagement
`, Xata Webpages Mar. 12, 2010, http://xatadev2.firebrandmg.com/
`news/news-press-releases-events-and-investor-news/2010/12
`march?.
`XATA and Speed Gauge Partner to Provide Enhanced Speed Data for
`Increased Safety, Xata webpages, Mar. 4, 2010 http://xatadev2.
`firebrandmg.com/news/news-press-releases-events-and-investor
`news/2010/4-march?.
`TREQ-M4, Mobile Data Terminal Manual, Beijer Electronics, MO1
`003-00 Rev 02, Mar. 23, 2011 http://www.beijerelectronics.inc.com/
`pdfosi treq-m4 user manual.pdf.
`OnBoard Communications, OBC9000 Installation Manual, undated
`http://www.onboardcommunications.com/install/OBC9000 In
`stall.pdf*
`Winn-Dixie Enhances 450-Truck Fleet with XATANET, Xata
`webpages, Apr. 21, 2011 http://xatadev2.firebrandmg.com/news/
`news-press-releases-events-and-investor-news/2010/21-april/.*
`Department of Transportation, Rules and Regulations, Federal Reg
`ister Part II, vol. 75, No. 64, Apr. 5, 2010, 46 pages.
`'On-Boardtechnology—Performance Management online. J.J.
`Keller's Encompass, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., 2010 retrieved
`on Jul. 22, 2011. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: http://www.
`kellerencompass.com/online? onboard rec/index.aspx>.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, “Introduction' (publicly available
`before Jun. 30, 2010), 13 pages.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, “Route Tracker Installation Guide
`Version 1.0” (publicly available before Jun. 30, 2010), 7 pages.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, "Automating the Transportation
`Industriy’ (publicly available before Jun. 30, 2010), 4 pages.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, “Trucking and Technology” (pub
`licly available before Jun. 30, 2010), 10 pages.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, Presentation of "Turnpike Global
`Technologies” (publicly available before une 30, 2010), 23 pages.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, Presentation orTurnpike Global
`Technologies (publicly available before Jun. 30, 2010), 25 pages.
`Turnpike Global Technologies, "Turnpike Direct Sprint Sales Intro
`Jan. 2008” (2008), 18 pages.
`Korean Examiner Hong, Kyoung hee, International Search Report
`and Written Opinion for International PCT/US2012/044772, dated
`Jan. 21, 2013, 10 pages.
`J.J. Keller's Encompass, “Phone & Hardware Requirements.” May 5,
`2011, 1 page.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`US8,626,568 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`FIG. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`US8,626,568 B2
`
`120a
`
`i Vehicle }
`
`
`
`i Usage }
`
`208
`
`Electronic
`Report
`
`FIG 2
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`
`
`---
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`110a
`--
`106a 112a
`
`Prepare for
`Exporting
`Report
`
`208
`
`306
`
`Electronic
`Report
`
`154
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`
`
`412
`
`414
`
`416
`
`424
`
`410)
`410a
`InOut 25/25, 0/0, 6/6
`HOS tick = 10
`
`406a
`
`406b
`
`406C
`
`4060
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`
`
`450
`
`452
`
`460
`
`470
`
`472
`
`2011-05-18 (today
`9
`1 0
`1 1
`
`N
`
`7
`
`8
`
`SL
`
`|
`RM
`
`H
`|
`|
`| |
`E
`
`O:OO
`
`5:42
`
`0:58
`
`|
`
`D
`
`O6:20
`
`E: 12:45 pm LUNCH BREAK
`Stockton, Illinois
`
`458
`
`474
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`so
`
`Store Driver Summary Electronic Report in Memory
`Module of Handheld Wireless Display Unit
`
`Display Unit to Indicate That the Driver Summary
`Electronic Report Will be Exported From the Electronic
`Onboard ReCOrder Unit
`520
`
`Store Driver Summary Electronic Report in Memory
`MOdule of Electronic Onboard ReCOrder Unit
`
`30
`
`Removably Receive a USB Connection Device at a USB
`port of the Electronic Onboard Recorder Unit
`540
`
`Automatically Transfer the Driver Summary Electronic
`Report via the USB Port of the Electronic Onboard
`ReCOrder Unit to a Portable External Unit
`
`550
`
`Receive Signal That the USB Connection to the Portable
`External Unit is Removed
`560
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`
`
`Wirelessly Receive, at a Handheld Wireless Display Unit,
`Vehicle Usage information from an Electronic Onboard
`ReCOrder Unit Mounted in a Vehicle
`610
`
`Store a Driver Summary Electronic Report in a Memory
`Module of the Handheld Wireless Display Unit
`620
`
`Establish Cellular Connection to a network for
`Communication With a Control Center
`
`Transmit the Driver Summary Electronic Report the
`Handheld Wireless Display Unit to the Control Center
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 8,626,568 B2
`US8,626,568 B2
`
`
`
`FIG.7
`
`

`

`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`1.
`FLEET VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
`AND METHODS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This specification relates to transportation fleet manage
`ment, Such as a system for fleet vehicle management that
`records particular vehicle and driver information for subse
`quent communication, for example, to a remote device.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`A number of commercial companies and government insti
`tutions maintain a fleet of vehicles and have an interest in
`keeping track of the vehicles and shipments, as well as the
`performance and well-being of their drivers. These parties
`frequently equip their fleet vehicles with devices configured
`to track the vehicles geographic locations, speeds, headings,
`cargo temperature, engine performance parameters, and other
`data. Such information is used, for example, to maintain the
`vehicles, estimate delivery times, provide warning of possible
`damage to cargo, and to evaluate driver performance.
`Some regulatory agencies also have an interest in fleet
`vehicle information, such as the number of miles a delivery
`vehicle has traveled since its last safety inspection, or the
`number of hours a driver has been on duty since he or she last
`rested. In some cases, this information was traditionally
`recorded on paper (e.g., driver log books) or in proprietary
`electronic formats. In either case, Such information can be
`inconvenient to access or share with regulatory inspectors or
`other third parties.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`SUMMARY
`
`2
`recorder unit may also include a data connection port (e.g., a
`USB port in some embodiments) configured to removably
`receive a data cable of a remote computer device. The por
`table wireless display unit may include a short-range wireless
`communication device to wirelessly communicate with the
`electronic onboard recorder unit when the electronic onboard
`recorder unit and the portable wireless display unit are both
`positioned inside the vehicle. Also, the portable wireless dis
`play unit may include a cellular communication device con
`figured to provide a cellular communication link with a
`remote system. Furthermore, the portable wireless display
`unit may include a user interface comprising a display device.
`Also, the portable wireless display unit may include a com
`puter-readable memory module to store a driver Summary
`electronic report, which may be generated by the portable
`wireless display unit in response to wirelessly receiving the
`vehicle usage information from the electronic onboard
`recorder unit mounted to the vehicle. The driver summary
`electronic report may include identification information for a
`driver and hours or service information for the driver. In
`response to input on the user interface of the portable wireless
`display unit indicative of a request to export the driver Sum
`mary electronic report from the electronic onboard recorder
`unit mounted to the vehicle, the portable wireless display unit
`may be configured to wirelessly transfer the driver Summary
`electronic report to the electronic onboard recorder unit
`mounted to the vehicle for exporting the driver summary
`electronic report via the data connection port of the electronic
`onboard recorder unit to the remote computer device.
`In some embodiments, a system for communicating fleet
`vehicle information may include an electronic onboard
`recorder unit configured to mount inside a vehicle and pro
`vide a wired connection to the vehicle for gathering data
`during operation of the vehicle. The electronic onboard
`recorder unit may be free of a user interface display. Also, the
`electronic onboard recorder unit may include a short-range
`wireless communication device to wirelessly communicate
`vehicle usage information to a second device when the second
`device is positioned inside the vehicle. The system may also
`include a portable wireless display unit having a short-range
`wireless communication device to wirelessly communicate
`with the electronic onboard recorder unit when the electronic
`onboard recorder unit and the portable wireless display unit
`are both positioned inside the vehicle. The portable wireless
`display unit may also include a long-range communication
`device configured to provide a cellular or satellite communi
`cation link with a remote system. The portable wireless dis
`play unit may further include a user interface comprising a
`display device that displays driver hours of service informa
`tion in response to wirelessly receiving the vehicle usage
`information from the electronic onboard recorder unit
`mounted to the vehicle. The electronic onboard recorder unit
`and the portable wireless display unit may provide two-way
`wireless communication Such that the portable wireless dis
`play unit wirelessly receives vehicle usage information from
`the electronic onboard recorder unit and the electronic
`onboard recorder unit wirelessly receives driver identification
`information from the portable wireless display unit.
`In certain embodiments, a system for communicating fleet
`vehicle information may include an electronic onboard
`recorder unit configured to mount inside a vehicle and pro
`vide a wired connection to the vehicle for gathering data
`during operation of the vehicle. The electronic onboard
`recorder unit may include a short-range wireless communi
`cation device to wirelessly communicate vehicle usage infor
`mation to a second device when the second device is posi
`tioned inside the vehicle. The electronic onboard recorder
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Some embodiments of a system for communicating fleet
`vehicle information can provide equipment for use inside a
`fleet vehicle to facilitate prompt and efficient transfer of
`vehicle and driver information. In particular embodiments,
`the system can generate electronic reports that provide driver
`identification information, hours of service information, and
`(optionally) vehicle-related information, and Such electronic
`reports can be readily communicated to a remote computer
`device in a number of different manners. For example, in
`Some embodiments, the system may include an electronic
`onboard recorder mountable in a vehicle and a mobile com
`45
`munication device (e.g., a cellular phone in particular
`embodiments) that is configured to provide short-range, two
`way wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth communica
`tion in particular embodiments) with the electronic onboard
`recorder. In such circumstances, a driver or other system user
`can operate the system to share a driver Summary electronic
`report or other information by exporting the electronic infor
`mation via a data port (e.g., a USB port in particular embodi
`ments) of the electronic onboard recorder, by transferring the
`electronic information via a cellular link established by the
`mobile communication device, or both.
`Particular embodiments described herein may include a
`system for communicating fleet vehicle information includ
`ing an electronic onboard recorder unit and a portable wire
`less display unit. The electronic onboard recorder unit may be
`configured to mount inside a vehicle and provide a wired
`connection to the vehicle for gathering data during operation
`of the vehicle. The electronic onboard recorder unit can be
`free of any user interface display and may include a short
`range wireless communication device to wirelessly commu
`65
`nicate vehicle usage information to a separate device, such as
`the portable wireless display unit. The electronic onboard
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`

`

`US 8,626,568 B2
`
`10
`
`15
`
`3
`unit may also include a USB connection port configured to
`removably receive a USB data cable of a remote computer
`device. The system may further include a portable wireless
`display unit comprising a short-range wireless communica
`tion device to wirelessly communicate with the electronic
`onboard recorder unit when the electronic onboard recorder
`unit and the portable wireless display unit are both positioned
`inside the vehicle. The portable wireless display unit may also
`include a long-range communication device configured to
`provide a cellular or satellite communication link with a
`remote system. The portable wireless display unit may also
`include a user interface including a display device, and a
`computer-readable memory module to store a driver Sum
`mary electronic report including identification information
`for a driver and hours or service information for the driver.
`The electronic onboard recorder unit may output the driver
`summary electronic report via the USB connection port in
`response to user input on the user interface of the portable
`wireless display unit. Also, the portable wireless display unit
`may output the driver Summary electronic report via the cel
`lular or satellite communication link to the remote system.
`Some embodiments described herein may include a com
`puter-implemented method for providing a driver Summary
`electronic report. The method may include wirelessly com
`municating vehicle usage information from an electronic
`25
`onboard recorder unit mounted to a vehicle to a portable
`wireless display unit. The electronic onboard recorder unit
`may have a wired connection to the vehicle. The method may
`also include wirelessly receiving, at the electronic onboard
`recorder unit, a driver summary electronic report from the
`portable wireless display unit, the driver summary electronic
`report having been generated by the portable wireless display
`unit in response to the electronic onboard recorder unit wire
`lessly communicating the vehicle usage information. The
`driver Summary electronic report may include identification
`information for a driver and hours or service information for
`the driver. The method may further include removably receiv
`ing a USB data cable in a USB connection port of the elec
`tronic onboard recorder unit mounted to the vehicle. Also, the
`method may include, in response to a user request input to the
`40
`portable wireless display unit, transferring the driver Sum
`mary electronic report from the electronic onboard recorder
`unit mounted to the vehicle via the data cable to a remote
`computer device.
`In further embodiments, a computer-implemented method
`for providing a driver Summary electronic report may include
`wirelessly receiving, at a portable wireless display unit,
`vehicle usage information from an electronic onboard
`recorder unit mounted to a vehicle and having a wired con
`nection to the vehicle. The method may also include storing a
`driver Summary electronic report in a computer-readable
`memory module of the portable wireless display unit config
`ured to wirelessly communicate with the electronic onboard
`recorder unit mounted to the vehicle. The driver summary
`electronic report may be generated by the portable wireless
`display unit in response to wirelessly receiving the vehicle
`usage information from the electronic onboard recorder unit
`mounted to the vehicle. The driver summary electronic report
`may include identification information for a driver and hours
`or service information for the driver. The method may also
`include receiving user input on the portable wireless display
`unit indicative of a request to export the driver Summary
`electronic report from the electronic onboard recorder unit
`mounted to the vehicle. The method may further include
`wirelessly transferring the driver Summary electronic report
`from the portable wireless display unit to the electronic
`onboard recorder unit mounted to the vehicle for exporting
`
`50
`
`4
`the driver summary electronic report via a removable data
`cable to a remote computer device.
`Some embodiments of a computer-implemented method
`for providing a driver Summary electronic report may include
`wirelessly communicating vehicle usage information from an
`electronic onboard recorder unit mounted to a vehicle to a
`portable wireless display unit. The electronic onboard
`recorder unit may have a wired connection to the vehicle. The
`method may also include storing a driver Summary electronic
`reportina computer-readable memory module of the portable
`wireless display unit configured to wirelessly communicate
`with the electronic onboard recorder unit mounted to the
`vehicle. The driver Summary electronic report may generated
`by the portable wireless display unit in response to wirelessly
`receiving the vehicle usage information from the electronic
`onboard recorder unit mounted to the vehicle. The driver
`Summary electronic report may include identification infor
`mation for a driver and hours or service information for the
`driver. The method may further include receiving user input
`on the portable wireless display unit indicative of a request to
`export the driver summary electronic report from the elec
`tronic onboard recorder unit mounted to the vehicle. The
`method may also include wirelessly transferring the driver
`summary electronic report from the portable wireless display
`unit to the electronic onboard recorder unit mounted to the
`vehicle. The method may further include removably receiv
`ing a data cable in a corresponding port of the electronic
`onboard recorder unit mounted to the vehicle. Also, the
`method may include transferring the driver Summary elec
`tronic report from the electronic onboard recorder unit
`mounted to the vehicle via the data cable to a remote com
`puter device.
`The systems and techniques described here may provide
`one or more of the following benefits. First, a system for
`communicating vehicle information can provide an elec
`tronic onboard recorder mountable in a vehicle and a mobile
`communication device (e.g., a cellular phone in particular
`embodiments) that is configured to provide wireless commu
`nication with the electronic onboard recorder. As such, sys
`tem can include a plurality of separately housed devices that
`are each configured to output electronic reports in different
`aS.
`Second, in some embodiments of the system, the electronic
`onboard recorder can be equipped with an external data port
`(e.g., a USB connection port) so that the electronic onboard
`recorder can output driver Summary electronic reports or
`other electronic files via a hardwired connection to a remote
`computer. For example, a vehicle inspector can carry a por
`table computer device or portable storage device, and the
`driver or the inspector can plug the inspector's device into the
`data port of the electronic onboard recorder so as to retrieve a
`driver summary electronic report or other electronic files via
`a hardwired connection to the unit mounted in the vehicle.
`Third, particular embodiments of the system can provide a
`mobile communication device (e.g., a cellular phone in par
`ticular embodiments) that provides short-range, two wireless
`communication with an electronic onboard recorder mounted
`in a vehicle. In such circumstances, not only does the elec
`tronic onboard recorder wirelessly communicate information
`to the mobile communication device, but the mobile commu
`nication device can also transmit information back to the
`electronic onboard recorder. Therefore, one or more elec
`tronic files containing vehicle or driver information can be
`synced between the two separate devices for purposes of
`outputting the files in a number of optional manners.
`Fourth, in some embodiments, the electronic onboard
`recorder mounted in the vehicle can be constructed as a dis
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`playless unit that is free of any user interface display. Such a
`construction can reduce the size of the electronic onboard
`recorder, provide for simplified installation (and, optionally,
`concealed installation inside the vehicle), and reduce the
`manufacturing complexities for the electronic onboard
`recorder. In these circumstances, the user interface of the
`mobile communication device can serve as the user interface
`for the system (including the electronic onboard recorder). As
`Such, the mobile communication device can be separately
`housed from its corresponding electronic onboard recorder So
`that the mobile communication device can be carried by the
`vehicle driver or other user outside of the vehicle while the
`electronic onboard recorder remains mounted inside the
`vehicle. Moreover, because the mobile communication
`device is portable relative to its respective electronic onboard
`recorder unit, the driver can view or input vehicle or driver
`information on the user interface of the mobile communica
`tion device both when the driver is seated inside the vehicle
`and when the driver positioned outside the vehicle in prox
`imity thereto (e.g., while inspecting the exterior of the
`vehicle, refueling, or sitting in a nearby building).
`Fifth, in some embodiments of the system, the electronic
`onboard recorder can be configured to detect the particular
`type of communications protocol employed by vehicle, and
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`automatically adapt to the detected protocol in order to com
`municate with an engine control module of the vehicle. As
`Such, the electronic onboard recorder can be installed in any
`one of a number of different types of vehicles, and the install
`er's act of connecting the electronic onboard recorder to the
`vehicle's engine control module will prompt the control cir
`cuitry of the electronic onboard recorder to automatically
`recognize the type of vehicle in which it is installed.
`Sixth, in some embodiments of the system, the electronic
`onboard recorder can house one or more accelerometers
`therein so as to detect particular types of vehicle movement,
`Such as hardbrakes, acceleration, and lane changes. Instances
`of this type of vehicle movement can be recorded by the
`electronic onboard recorder can communicated to a control
`center (e.g., via the mobile communication device) for pur
`poses of safety monitoring by a fleet manager or other system
`USC.
`The details of one or more implementations are set forth in
`the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
`features and advantages will be apparent from the description
`and drawings, and from the claims.
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`US 8,626,568 B2
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`6
`FIG. 6 is flow chart that shows an example process for
`using a mobile communication device to transmit an elec
`tronic report or other data to a fleet management control
`Center.
`FIG. 7 is a diagram of computing devices that may be used
`to implement the systems and methods described herein, in
`accordance with some embodiments.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, some embodiments of a fleet manage
`ment system 100 can include a collection of vehicles 102a
`102c equipped with electronic onboard recorder units 106a-c
`and accompanying mobile communication devices 112a-c,
`which can be used for communication with a control center
`104. In particular embodiments, the control center 104 rep
`resents a physical or conceptual location in which informa
`tion about the vehicles 102a-102c (and the vehicles drivers) is
`collected and used. For example, the control center 104 may
`access information gathered from the vehicles 102a-102c in
`order to identify and locate the vehicle 102a-102c carrying
`particular shipments, and estimate the remaining time until
`delivery. Also, the control center 104 can collect the informa
`tion about the vehicles 102a-102c so as to monitor the loca
`tion, speed, heading, and planned route of particular vehicles
`and their respective shipments. Moreover, the control center
`104 can collect the information about the drivers of the
`vehicles 102a-102c so as to monitor the duty status, hours of
`service, and other characteristics of each driver.
`At least some of aforementioned vehicle information is
`gathered by the electronic onboard recorder units 106a-106c
`mounted in each of the vehicles 102a-102c, respectively. The
`electronic onboard recorder units 106a-106c are electronic
`devices that collect and record information about the
`vehicles 102a-102c, location, speed, operational parameters,
`acceleration, operating hours, and other vehicle-related infor
`mation. For example, the electronic onboard recorder units
`106a-106c can receive location information in the form of
`global positioning system (GPS) signals 108 from at least one
`GPS satellite 109 to determine the locations of their respec
`tive vehicles 102a-102c. Also, the electronic onboard
`recorder units 106a-106c can be configured to electrically
`connect with an engine control module (refer to FIG. 2) so as
`to receive vehicle operation information (e.g., speed, opera
`tional parameters, acceleration/braking data, fuel usage, and
`the like). As described below in connection with FIGS. 2 and
`3, each electronic onboard recorder unit 106a-106C can be
`equipped with a data connection port (e.g., a USB port in this
`embodiment) for purposes of readily exporting driver infor
`mation electronic reports or other electronic data to remote
`devices of regulatory inspectors or other approved parties.
`Still referring to FIG. 1, each of the electronic onboard
`recorder units 106a-106C can communicate with a corre
`sponding mobile communication device 112a-112c, which
`may also be positioned inside or in close proximity to the
`vehicle 102a-c. In particular, each of the mobile communica
`tion device 112a-112c can be portably carried by the driver of
`a vehicle 102a-c, respectively, so that the mobile communi
`cation device 112a-112c is configured to wirelessly commu