JPH10177663A - Data collector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable recording at low sampling rate in ordinary case and to enable recording at high sampling rate in case of abnormality by recording operating state data collected in a cycle quicker than a cycle at ordinary time when any accident occurs. SOLUTION: An MPU 6 monitors the presence/absence of accident signal among signals outputted by a data logging part 5. When any accident signal is detected, data recorded in a RAM 7 are transferred into an auxiliary storage part 8 and a memory card 3 and data collection is finished. At such a time, sampling is further continued even after the detection of accident so that data after the accident can be recorded. Besides, when no accident signal is detected, data are collected over the period set in advance and operation is finished later. Thus, at the ordinary time, high-speed sampling data and low-speed sampling data are stored on the memory card 3 in every 2nd cycle but when any accident occurs, the high-speed sampling data are stored in the 1st cycle quicker than the 2nd cycle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data collection device used for a mobile truck, a taxi or the like, which is a mobile object, and which collects and records operation status data such as a mileage and a vehicle speed, and more particularly, to a tachograph. And a function of a drive recorder for collecting various information at the time of occurrence of an accident.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of business trucks, taxis, and the like, the crew members manage the crew's daily operating conditions (for example, mileage and vehicle speed) on a disk-shaped recording sheet using a tachograph. Was. That is, the administrator has grasped and managed the operation status of the truck and the like by referring to the recorded data.

However, when managing data recorded on a recording sheet, there is an inconvenience that data must be manually input to a computer system. For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-239888 discloses a general management system for a commercial vehicle equipped with a device for recording an operation history on an IC card.

[0004] In this system, a crew member attaches an IC card to an IC card reader / writer provided in a business vehicle in advance so that various kinds of information during the crew, for example, user information,
The boarding place, crew time, fee, etc. are recorded. When the crew of the day ends, each crew removes the IC card and mounts it on an IC card reader / writer at a business office to read out recorded data and report the detailed crew status of the day to the administrator. Thus, data management is simplified by using an IC card instead of recording on a recording sheet.

[0005]

However, in the above-described system, due to the limitation of the storage capacity of the IC card, only limited data such as a boarding place and a crew time can be recorded only. And data such as vehicle speed could not be recorded. Therefore, these data are recorded on a recording sheet using a conventional tachograph, which is a great obstacle in data management. In the above system,
In order to reduce the amount of recorded data, data could only be collected at a low sampling rate. For this reason, there is also a problem that detailed data at a high sampling rate cannot be collected before and after the occurrence of a vehicle collision accident or the like. The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and functions as a conventional tachograph that normally records operation state data at a low sampling rate, and as a drive recorder that records operation state data at a high sampling rate when abnormal. It is an object to provide a functioning data collection device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a data collection apparatus according to the present invention comprises: means for sampling desired operation state data of a moving object at a first cycle and outputting the data; Buffer memory means for temporarily storing and holding the operation state data, detachable external memory means, and when the accident signal is not detected, the operation state data sampled by the data logging means is later than the first cycle. Control means for storing data sampled in the second cycle in the external memory means, and for storing data stored in the buffer memory means in the external memory means when an accident signal is detected. With this configuration, the data collection device according to the present invention normally records the operation state data collected in the second cycle in an external memory or the like, and stores a first cycle faster than the second cycle in the event of an accident. The operation status data collected in the above can be recorded.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a mobile subsystem (hereinafter, referred to as a data collection device) according to the present invention. In the figure, a data collection device 1 includes a GPS receiving unit 4 and a data logging unit 5.
And an MPU 6, a RAM 7, an auxiliary storage unit 8, and a memory card input / output unit 9, and have predetermined fire resistance, oil resistance, and water resistance to prevent damage to internal circuits such as the auxiliary storage unit 8 when an accident occurs. And is covered by a case 1a formed of The memory card 3 serving as an external memory means can be arbitrarily attached to and detached from the memory card input / output unit 9.

The detailed configuration of each of these units will be described. The GPS receiver 4 receives GPS data from the outside, analyzes the received GPS data, converts the data into data such as the position, speed, altitude, and time of the moving object, and outputs the data.

[0009] The data logging unit 5 receives the following various operation state data and accident signals from the sensors attached to various parts of the moving object at a set cycle, such as position data output by the GPS receiving unit 4. After sampling, the data is converted into a predetermined data format and output.

The operation status data includes the operation status of the moving body (for example, waiting, forwarding, and renting in a taxi, and the cargo handling status in a truck, etc.) and the operation status (for example, speed, gear, braking signal, steering signal, This is a data signal indicating engine speed, acceleration signal, yaw rate, temperature, vehicle weight, etc., and details are shown in Table 1. The accident signal is a signal for detecting occurrence of an accident of the vehicle.

[0011]

[Table 1]

As described above, the sampling cycle in the data logging unit 5 may be changed for each operation state data. For example, data such as vehicle speed is sampled at high speed, and data such as date and time is sampled at low speed.

Table 2 is a table showing a specific example of the shortest sampling cycle in the data logging section 5. In other words, the sampling period shown in Table 2 indicates the shortest period that does not need to be sampled at a higher speed any more, and a value can be arbitrarily set to a value lower than these values. Note that these values are merely examples, and a higher-speed cycle may be set.

[0014]

[Table 2]

The RAM 7 is a buffer memory means which is formed of a storage memory such as an SRAM having a predetermined capacity and temporarily stores and holds the operation status data output from the data logging unit 5 in a FIFO manner. That is, the operation state data sampled in each shortest cycle can be stored and held for a predetermined period.

The auxiliary storage unit 8 includes a flash EEPROM
(Hereinafter, referred to as a flash memory) is a means for sequentially storing and holding data output from the RAM 7. This auxiliary storage unit 8
Is a storage device provided for backup of the memory card 3 and always stores data equivalent to the memory card 3.

The memory card 3 is an external memory means that can be attached to and detached from the data collection device 1. Specific examples of the memory card 3 include a memory card which is configured by a static memory, a fuseable non-rewritable memory, a flash memory, or the like, and which inputs and outputs data by parallel communication. Other examples include
MP for controlling electrically erasable memory and data input / output
There is an IC card or the like which includes a U or a logic and performs input / output of data by serial communication. It should be noted that data such as a vehicle identification code shown in Table 3 and instructions such as a sampling cycle are recorded in the memory card 3 in a fixed station in advance.

Table 3 is a table showing data stored in the memory card 3. In this way, by recording data unique to the crew (driver code, vehicle identification code, etc.), data management becomes easy. Further, by setting an instruction at the time of data collection in advance, the sampling cycle and the like can be easily changed to a desired value.

Note that "input" in the figure is data preset in the fixed station, and indicates data read by the data collection device 1. “Output” indicates data read to the fixed station after data collection.

[0020]

[Table 3]

The memory card input / output unit 9 is an input / output interface between the RAM 7 and the memory card 3. That is, the memory card 3 is arbitrarily attached to and detached from the memory card input / output unit 9 and the data logging unit 5
Is output to the memory card 3 via the memory card input / output unit 9. At this time, if the data capacity is large, it is possible to output data after data compression.

The MPU 6 is a control means for monitoring the presence or absence of an accident signal in the signal analyzed by the data logging unit 5 and controlling the operation of each circuit such as the data logging unit 5. In this embodiment, the operation signal of the airbag is used as an accident signal as shown in Table 1, but an acceleration signal output by an impact detection unit (not shown) installed in the vehicle may be used. In addition, a result of comparing the engine speed, a brake signal, and the like with a predetermined threshold can be used as an accident signal.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the fixed station subsystem installed on the manager side according to the present invention. The fixed station subsystem 2 is a computer system installed on the administrator side, and includes a memory card input / output unit 10, a data processing unit 11, a data display / recording unit 12, a map data storage unit 13, an operation data storage unit 14, and an MPU 1.
And 5.

The memory card input / output unit 10 is an input / output interface similar to the memory card input / output unit 9 in the data collection device 1, and connects the fixed station subsystem 2 and the memory card 3.

The data processing unit 11 reads data from the memory card 3 at a desired timing via the memory card input / output unit 10 and stores the read data in an operation data storage unit 14 (for example, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, or the like). Or a large-capacity storage medium such as an optical disk), or associates the map data recorded in the map data storage unit 13 with the position data supplied from the memory card 3, and displays the operation route in the data display / recording unit 12. Visualize and display.

The data display / recording unit 12 is composed of a display device, a printer device, or the like, and can display data input from the data processing unit 11 on a screen or print it on recording paper. The MPU 15 is control means for controlling operations of the data processing unit 11 and the like.

Next, one embodiment of the operation of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. First, the memory card 3 is attached to the memory card input / output unit 9 of the data collection device 1 in advance when the moving body operates.

Thereafter, when the mobile body starts operating, the data collection device 1 starts collecting operation state data.
That is, the GPS receiving unit 4 receives and analyzes GPS data from the outside, converts the data into data such as the position, speed, altitude, and time of the moving object, and outputs the data. In addition, sensors provided at various points on the moving body detect various operation state data as shown in Table 1, and the data logging unit 5 samples these data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of data sampling by the MPU 6, and the operation is sequentially performed as follows according to time. In step 101, the MPU 6 monitors the signal output from the data logging unit 5 for an accident signal.

In step 102, the MPU 6 proceeds to step 103 when 0.2 seconds (first cycle) has elapsed since the start of the operation. In step 103, 0.
Since two seconds have elapsed, the MPU 6 stores desired data among the high-speed sampling data shown in Table 2 in the RAM 7. In step 104, the MPU 6 proceeds to step 105 after 2 seconds (second cycle) has elapsed. If 2 seconds have not elapsed, the process proceeds to step 101 to monitor the accident signal.

In step 105, MPU 6 determines that
The desired one of the high-speed and low-speed sampling data is stored in the RAM 7, the auxiliary storage unit 8, and the memory card 3, respectively. In step 106, the MPU 6 proceeds to step 107 after one minute (third cycle) has elapsed.
If one minute has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step 101, and the presence or absence of an accident signal is monitored.

At step 107, the MPU 6
The S coordinate data and the date and time data are stored in the RAM 7, the auxiliary storage unit 8,
After storing in the memory card 3 respectively, step 1 is performed again.
01 and continue data collection as described above.

When an accident signal is detected in step 101, the process proceeds to step 108, where the data recorded in the RAM 7 is transferred to the auxiliary storage unit 8 and the memory card 3, and the data collection is completed. At this time, data after the accident can be recorded by continuing sampling even after detecting the accident signal.

If no accident signal is detected, the above operation is completed after data is collected for a preset period (for example, one day, one week, etc.). Then, the recorded memory card 3 is removed from the data collection device 1 by the crew or the administrator, and is attached to the memory card input / output unit 10 of the fixed station subsystem 2. The data recorded on the memory card 3 is immediately read out by the data processing unit 11 and stored in the operation data storage unit 14.

As described above, normally, the high-speed sampling data and the low-speed sampling data are 2 seconds (second
Is stored in the memory card for each cycle). Data such as date and time is stored every minute (third cycle). And
When an accident occurs, high-speed sampling data of a 0.2 second cycle (first cycle) is stored.

Thereafter, when it is desired to trace the operation route as required by the manager, a predetermined operation instruction is given to the data processing unit 11. Then, the data processing unit 11 associates the map data stored in the map data storage unit 13 with the position data supplied from the memory card 3 and causes the data display / recording unit 10 to display the operation route. Further, the operation graph can be printed by the data display / recording unit 12 by giving a predetermined operation instruction.

By the way, in the above embodiment, G
Although the case where the PS receiving unit 4 is provided has been described, if it is not necessary to record the position information of the moving object, the GP
There is no need to install the S receiving unit 4. When data is recorded in the operation data storage unit 14, the data capacity can be reduced by performing data compression, and the storage capacity in the storage unit and the like can be saved. Further, it is clear from the above description that the present invention can be used not only for a moving body such as an automobile but also for a ship or the like.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation state data normally collected in the second cycle is recorded in an external memory or the like, and is collected in the first cycle faster than the second cycle when an accident occurs. Record the operational status data. as a result,
Normally, data collection is performed at a low sampling rate, so that storage capacity can be saved, and various operation status data are recorded to function as a conventional tachograph. Further, when a collision accident or the like occurs, the operation state data can be recorded at a high sampling rate, and detailed operation state data before and after the occurrence of the accident can be recorded, so that a function as a drive recorder can be obtained. Due to the above effects, the present invention provides management of taxi operating status, management of efficient delivery routes such as courier service, labor management of long-distance trucks,
It can be said that it is very effective for use as a flight recorder when an accident occurs, management of the use of a rental car (speed, running position, etc.), analysis of driving results at a driving school, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a mobile subsystem (data collection device) according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a fixed station subsystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data sampling procedure in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile subsystem (data collection device), 1a ... Case, 3 ... Memory card, 4 ... GPS receiving part, 5 ... Data logging part, 6 ... MPU, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... Auxiliary storage part, 9 ... Memory Card input / output unit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A data collection device mounted on a mobile unit for collecting a plurality of operation state data, means for sampling desired operation state data of the mobile unit at a first cycle and outputting the data, and the operation state data Memory means for temporarily storing and holding the data, removable external memory means, and a second cycle slower than the first cycle of the operation state data sampled by the data logging means when no accident signal is detected. The data sampled at
Control means for storing the data stored in the external memory means and storing the data stored in the buffer memory means when the accident signal is detected in the external memory means. 2. The data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a GPS reception unit that collects GPS data and obtains position information of a moving object from the GPS data. 3. The data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising auxiliary storage means for storing and holding the operation status data stored and held in the memory card for backup. 4. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the external memory means is an IC card including a storage memory for storing and holding input data and an MPU for controlling input / output of data. Data collection device. 5. The data collection device according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary storage means is constituted by an electrically erasable memory. 6. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the data collection device is covered by a member for preventing damage to an internal circuit, such as auxiliary storage means, in the event of an accident.