EP0499091B1 - Method and device for checking the tariff setting times in a taximeter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for checking the tariff setting times in a taximeter or odometer, which are dependent on a clock (rtc = real time clock). The method of the invention consists in that, in a taximeter to be checked, relevant time advancements, preferably a time advancement by one minute at a time, are to be accelerated maximally by starting a maintenance program, in such a way that a time sequence of an evaluating program is made to initiate tariff-setting functions in a time-compressed form. The device for checking the tariff setting times in a taximeter of the kind described above is characterised in that a stoppage of an accelerated time sequence is marked by an acoustic message, and each stopping of the accelerated time sequence is counted by means of a counter. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or odometer, which are dependent on a clock (rtc = real time clock).

Known taximeter devices or odometers have an internal clock with a calendar output which is used to trigger predetermined functions using tariff parameters. These can be automatic tariff changes, for example from a day tariff to a night tariff, or other equivalent changes.

To check the changeover times that have been parameterized for this purpose, it is necessary to set the clock and the calendar "immediately" before the expected changeover times and then to wait for the reaction or to actively carry out experiments with the aim of, for. B. Finding a tariff effect before and after the actual switchover time.

A number of standard rtc modules have the option of accelerating the normal sequence in the counters for the purpose of checking the correct transfers between the seconds, minutes, hours and calendar counters by bridging chains of prescenders to reduce the quartz frequency become.

Such an acceleration option is not accessible to the time-determined taximeter functions.

The object of the invention is to show a method and a device by means of which the parameterized functions of a taximeter device or odometer can be checked in a timed sequence.

The procedural solution to this task is to in a taximeter to be checked by starting a maintenance program to accelerate relevant time increments, preferably a time increment in minute intervals, in such a way that a time sequence of an evaluating program is triggered in a timely manner to trigger tariff-determining functions.

According to the device, the object is achieved by the features of claim 10.

Advantageous developments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are specified in the features of the subclaims.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings.

• Fig. 1 ein Flußdiagramm zur Erläuterung der Arbeitsweise eines Taxameters gemäß der Erfindung (Main Loop),
• Fig. 2 ein Flußdiagramm zur Erläuterung der Arbeitsweise (SCOM),
• Fig. 3 eine Frontansicht eines Taxameters mit Anzeige- und Bedienelementen.

It shows

• 1 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of a taximeter according to the invention (main loop),
• 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation (SCOM),
• Fig. 3 is a front view of a taximeter with display and controls.

3 shows a front view of a taximeter or odometer with a display 30 and four operating elements 31 in the form of keys T1 to T4, by means of which switches S1 to S4, not shown in greater detail, are actuated on a circuit board. The display 30 is also attached to the printed circuit board and can be read through a front glass plate 32 in a front housing shell 33. The display 30 is divided into a plurality of controllable display elements and is subdivided into a main display 34, a secondary display 35, a tax level display 36, a time calculation symbol 37, an error word display symbol 38 and six flags 41 to 46 from a six-digit number and is used in the application of a display of the fare, the route, the control counter values, the parameters and the Error display. The secondary display 35 is a four-digit number by which in the application a surcharge, a tip amount, a fixed value (e.g. distance traveled), a maintenance index (for service), a function display of the maintenance programs or a pulse count in test mode is displayed become. In accordance with a controllable segment combination, the tax level display 36 shows the tariff level selected in terms of numbers. The time allocation symbol 37, designed as a clock symbol, indicates the status of a time allocation within a tax level. Flags 41 to 46 are freely parameterizable characters to support the display of special functions of the individual tax levels. Flag 41 is generally used to mark the tax level setting, flag 42 to indicate a "checkout" position in a tax level, and finally flag 43 points as an arrow pointing to the functional position "free" printed on a panel 39. The flag 44 can mark, for example, a display of the control counter. The set flag 45 indicates that a parameterization has been enabled, which takes place in connection with the setting of a switch 40 to so-called enable contacts 47 (for "0") and 48 (for "1"). Furthermore, an eight-pin test socket 49 is provided, which is used for data input / output via serial interface. Access to the release contacts 47, 48 and to the test socket 49 is covered by a cover cap 50 and secured by a seal 51. To protect against manipulation, in particular to secure the tariff-relevant clock and calendar data, the call of the maintenance program and thus the possibility of an acceleration, for example a time advance, is placed under the protection of a seal 51. Before the maintenance program is called, the seal 51 must therefore be broken, which at the same time also protects other functions, such as parameterization, deletion functions and other test functions, from misuse. After removing the seal 51 and the cap 50, the now accessible Press test switch 40. Then the clock (rtc) in the taximeter device can be set to the start time and the start date, provided that these do not already correspond to the time of day and the current date.

A test device and a procedure for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or an odometer, which are dependent on a clock (rtc), are described below. When an autonomous test is run, the test preparation consists of calling the maintenance program with the basic functions from the following steps: Establishing readiness for an accelerated run of the clock (rtc) and clearing the event counter. 1, the start of the test is initiated by connecting a tariff, that is, by switching from the "free" to "busy" position. The rtc is then incremented by one minute with each program cycle (see FIG. 1). With each program cycle, a complete check of all parameterized times is carried out, which may be relevant to the tariff.

If an event, such as a day / night switchover, a start or an end of a holiday or another event is detected, the rtc continues to be stopped, an acoustic message and a counting of the stopping effect in the event counter with a display for a definable time.

According to this, it is possible to influence the tariff parameters, in particular with regard to the ability to connect predetermined tariff levels, which can be determined by manually changing the current tariff level by means of control elements 31, including the implementation of switching sequences from "free" to "busy" to "free" "after ... and so on.

It is also possible to check the influence on effects with regard to parameters such as indexing distances, Advancement times (waiting times), basic and advancement amounts as well as other parameters influencing the fare, such as surcharges, percentage markups and / or discounts and the like, and many more.

It is also possible to check an influence on an immediate change of tariff parameters caused by an event, in particular also on an immediate tariff level change.

The maintenance program or the test can then be continued by pressing a dedicated control button (T1 to T4). If repetitive and non-repetitive event times are specified in the parameter set for the definition of the events, such as definitions of irregular holidays, it makes sense to use a filtering of the events so that the first occurrence of repetitive events is marked by an acoustic message in the process is counted using a counter and is temporarily displayed in the surcharge display. This gives you the option of making these times accessible for review when a day / night changeover or a night / day changeover occurs for the first time, and then only recording the event times that are defined as non-repetitive times .

The events are assigned to the associated rtc times and calendar positions by comparing the values of the event counter.

In a first phase, after the start and continuation of the test, as previously described, all event counter values are noted in the order. The maintenance program is then called to set the rtc and reset the rtc to the test start time and the test start calendar values. At the same time, the event counter is reset while maintaining the time display for start and run.

In a second phase, the time and Calendar values after each stop, caused by the detection of an event time, to the list of event counter values that have been recorded in the test sequence in the event counter.

In a departure from the autonomous tests described above, an automatic test can also be carried out according to the invention by using a test device. The test preparation consists in coupling the test device, preferably a "hand-held computer" or "lap-top", to the serial interface of the taximeter and the establishment of communication (LOG-ON).

The start of the test is initiated by a start command from the test device. The start command can be triggered by a key command on the test device. With the start command there is an rtc influence, as already explained in connection with the autonomous test, i.e. the rtc is incremented by 1 minute per program cycle, all parameterized times are checked, when an event is detected, "stop the rtc, acoustic signal, Counting in the event counter with display for a definable time ".

A manual check of tariff influencing is also possible, as already explained in the autonomous test, but not a primary goal.

With each detection of an event time according to the type of day / night switchover, beginning or end of a weekend period and other event times, the test device assigns the event in such a way that the effect specification from the parameter set for the definition of the rtc functions removed and textually output on the display of the test device.

The continuation of the test, in each case after the detection of an event time, can take place manually via the keyboard of the test device, or continuously, whereby a test end date should be specified beforehand in the test device. With an ongoing test, a list of event times can be made with the respective effect specification (taken from the taximeter parameters).

In a further embodiment of the invention, by combining the autonomous test with the possibilities of a test device connected via serial communication, the two-phase testing of the event times can be reduced to one phase, so that with the occurrence of any event time, the associated event immediately takes place parallel to the tariff event The time and the calendar status can be shown on the display of the test device.

The automatic check can be expanded in such a way that a behavioral check in the "BUSY" operating state, comparable to the manual tariff check, as described in connection with the autonomous test, can be carried out. Here, the manual operating procedures are standardized and carried out by the test device through appropriate simulation (via remote control). In the standardized operating sequence, the parameters dependent on the time of the event can be recorded by the test device and compared with specifications via serial communication by querying the system status and querying the fare-relevant data for continued switching from "FREE" to "BUSY" to "FREE" to .

The operation of the method according to the embodiment of an autonomous test is explained below with reference to FIG. 1. The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 shows the functional method steps of a taximeter according to the invention. Steps 11 and 12 show the beginning of the process program after applying the operating voltage to the taximeter device or after a voltage dip and a subsequent initialization of the RAM, this includes in particular processes such as loading constants, loading the working day, prefixing Control flags (control bits), setting the display parameters (hardware driver mode for LCD) and others; finally an initialization of the ports.

In step 13, the control flag (can-flag) is queried for the minute quick run 14 branch. The flag is set in the maintenance program provided for this purpose and when an event time 19 is reached (e.g. day / night switchover) reset again.

The minute register (minute counter) is counted up for each pass through the main loop (starting at 30). The count-up speed is dependent on the duration of the loop revolution, so that after each increase a check of the program 15 and the query 19 can be carried out.

In step 15, the taximeter program runs in normal operation, consisting of: Summary of all standard program parts that are necessary for the formation of the fare and the surcharge (selection of tariff levels, route and time calculations, automatic tariff level switching, and many others). Here, "normal operation" means: execution of the taximeter program without the influence of further test routines not shown here.

In method steps 16 and 17, the possibility of a manual test termination by means of an operating key T1 to T4 is provided to avoid "eternal loops". The corresponding key is not defined in more detail; however, it is expedient to use an operating key that is not used in the standard program 15, but at least is hidden there as long as the test is running.

Steps 18, 19, 110 show a branching with the control flag (t-flag) to the normal run and test run, regardless of the control flag (scan flag), which only serves to release the program part 14. If an event point in time has been recognized by 19, the marking 110 takes place. The branching 19 may receive the information by means of various flags, which are not described in more detail here.

With regard to steps 111 and 112, a maintenance operation can be carried out in program part 13 from normal operation are activated in such a way that the maintenance programs with branch 111 can be called up / operated in item "FREE" by pressing operating buttons which are not defined in any more detail. Some of these programs can only be activated if a sealed switch 47, 48 is closed beforehand (after the seal 51 has been released).

The setting for the maintenance programs remains for the rtc test 14, 18, 19, 110, so that once an event time has been identified in accordance with 19, 110 and the control flag (scan flag) has been reset, the steps are started again immediately 118, 119 can take place, or the display time control can run.

The program management Maintenance 112 is used to select the programs from a list or to release the corresponding indexed program.

After the maintenance program 113 has been released in step 102 for adjusting the clock, the release not being explained in more detail, the clock can be adjusted in step 115. The seal switch query 114 prevents unauthorized access during operation without tests, i. H. in service.

In the course of the steps 116, 117, 118, 119, after the maintenance program 116 has been released for the rtc test and after authorization in step 117, by opening the seal 51 and closing the seal switch 47, 48, an operating button (not described in any more detail) can be used the rtc test can be started. This is done by setting the control flags t-flag and scan-flag.

With regard to steps 120, 121, the following applies: in sequence part 110, a display of an event counter is initiated and a display time is defined. After this time has elapsed, and the time control as such can be set up in step 124, the "old" display 121 is re-keyed, typically a surcharge display previously entered during the test.

Regarding the routine with steps 122, 123, it should be noted that other maintenance programs can be designed differently for one of the purposes mentioned below: for path adjustment, for passcode entry and control, for parameter entry, for pulse simulation (path / Time), for signature generation and display and many others. If none of the maintenance programs is released (a release in 112 is not explained in more detail), the index is displayed with which a maintenance program can be selected.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for a supplementary explanation of the method of operation via a serial interface of the taximeter (SCOM). Steps 21, 22 represent the procedure for the asynchronous recording of serial data, which are stored in a data buffer. "Half duplex operation" is assumed. The buffer is considered to be loaded when its capacity is exhausted or a control character, in particular "carriage return", has been received as the last character of a character string.

Regarding routine 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, it should be noted that command queries 24 and 26 can only be accessed if the sealable switch is closed by an authorization in step 23. With the commands "Start-rtc-Test" and "Stop-rtc-Test" the control flags (t-flag and scan-flag) are directly influenced, so that in the program loop shown in FIG. 1, the corresponding test sequences also without manual interventions can take place.

After recognizing the command "query clock / calendar" in step 28, the data of the clock (counter values) are copied into the send buffer (Tx buffer).

In steps 210, 211, the current status of the device can be determined by querying the system status, in particular in the case of automated tests.

Steps 212, 213, 214 show an example of a fare query which, like the other queries, leads to program part 214 “start Tx procedure”. In a separate one Interrupt program part then sends the buffer content byte-by-byte.

Finally, steps 220, 221, 222 are used to process the transmission of the Tx buffer, started by program part 214. In step 222 there is a switchover to receive mode, since the communication takes place in "half-duplex mode".

Claims (14)

1. Method for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or odometer which are dependent on a clock (rtc = real time clock), characterised in that, in a taximeter to be tested, by starting a maintenance program, relevant time increments, preferably a time increment in minute steps, are to be maximally accelerated such that execution of an evaluating program is effected in an accelerated form for the triggering of tariff-determining functions.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that a starting and continuation of the maintenance program for the accelerated execution can be triggered by means of a button operation.
3. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that a starting and continuation of the maintenance program for the accelerated execution take place via a serial communication.
4. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the accelerated execution started by a maintenance program is halted by an occurrence of one or more events for the purpose of a dedicated tariff selection.
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accelerated execution is halted by a day/night changeover for the purpose of a dedicated tariff selection.
6. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accelerated execution is halted by a beginning or an end of a weekend period for the purpose of the dedicated tariff selection or use of special parameters in this period.
7. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accelerated execution is halted by a beginning or an end of a holiday period for the purpose of the dedicated tariff selection or use of special parameters in this holiday period.
8. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accelerated execution started by a maintenance program is halted by a beginning or an ending of a summertime or a wintertime.
9. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accelerated execution is halted by a seasonally related special-tariff period constituted by a holiday phase, a trade fair or an exhibition.
10. Equipment for checking tariff-determining times in a taximeter or odometer which are dependent on a clock (rtc) for carrying out the method according to Claim 1, characterised in that a halting of an accelerated execution is marked by an audible signal and each halting of the accelerated execution is counted by means of a counter.
11. Equipment according to Claim 10, characterised in that, with the occurrence of an event, the counter displays the count for a certain time in a secondary display (35) (additional-charge display), a value displayed there being temporarily substituted.
12. Equipment according to Claim 10, characterised in that a filtering of the preset events is effected such that a first occurrence of repetitive events is signalled, counted and temporarily displayed, and a repeated occurrence of a same event does not lead to a stoppage of the accelerated time counting.
13. Equipment according to Claim 10, characterised in that a communications interface for connection of a testing apparatus for controlling an automatic test procedure is provided, such that, according to the selection of a test program, a change in state of the taximeter is brought about, including a scan and testing of associated data and parameters concerning the particular operating state.
14. Equipment according to Claim 13, characterised in that the testing apparatus which can be connected to the communications interface is designed for recording all repetitive and nonrepetitive event times and outputting the same in the form of a list.

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