Apparatus for Detection of Driver and Vehicle Performance, Fuel Efficiency and Presence of Humans or Mammals in Vehicle Storage Area

Abstract

The invention relates to the provision of apparatus and a method to determine the operation of a vehicle and provide monitoring of the same and the condition of a storage area capable of being transported as part of the vehicle. The storage area includes one or more detection devices provided in the same and which are in communication with the operator of the vehicle and/or external personnel or organisations so as to detect a change in condition of the vehicle and in particular if the change exceeds predetermined parameters.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the detection of the presence of humans and/or animals in a vehicle storage area, said apparatus including a communication means to allow the transmission of data from one or more detection devices located within the said storage area, said detection devices including one, or a combination of, a device to detect current latitude, longitude and/or altitude of the device and hence storage area, a device to determine the vehicle speed and/or a device to measure carbon dioxide levels and/or air temperature in the said storage area and wherein monitoring means are provided to determine whether one or more of said detection devices are operating in a correct manner and/or providing data within predefined parameters.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a transmit and/or receive communication between the said detecting devices and the monitoring means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a power source is provided to operate the said devices and said power source is an independent source and/or is the power supply for the vehicle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the detection devices include an infrared and/or pressure sensor and pump to detect if the carbon dioxide detection device is in contact with all of the air in the storage area.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the detection devices include an infrared and/or pressure sensor and pump to detect the open or closed status of one or more doors into the said storage area.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more microprocessors are provided which include embedded software, a storage memory and a clock device to create and store records of data received from said detection devices.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the data which is received includes any or any combination of date and time, latitude and/or longitude position of the storage area, vehicle velocity, carbon dioxide level, temperature, sensory values relating to the communication of air in the storage area and/or a unique system ID.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a customer user interface is provided which creates an alert to drivers and/or external personnel when data which is outside of predefined parameters is received.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the latitude and longitude position of the detection device is achieved via a satellite and/or micro-gravitational system.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the connection of the detection devices and one or more data processing and monitoring means is via a serial line or pulse width modulation or changing current or voltage measurement to monitor the state of the detection devices for bus arbitration on a command bus.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus allows the detection and transmission to a remote server wirelessly of the absence or malfunction of a detection device.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a microcontroller is provided that is in communication with a vehicle control processing unit via a CAN arbitration bus and in connection with the detection device microcontrollers so as to respond to instructions from the main hub microcontroller via a serial communication means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the microcontroller creates data records that are date and time stamped for measured values and stored on the memory device that it is in communication with.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein queued stored records on the memory device are transmitted to a remote server via a wireless communication, with a transfer method of handshaking and data checks being used.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein successfully uploaded records are removed from the storage of the memory device.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, initial installation calibration means are provided for at least some of those detection means located in the storage area.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein unique I.D's are stored along with the current date and time, the current latitude and longitude position of the storage area, temperature, proximity sensor distance, current CO2 level, vehicle speed, engine speed so as to create a data record and storing the record into a sequential memory location on the said memory device.

18. A vehicle with a storage area transported as part of the vehicle and wherein the vehicle includes communication means to allow the transmission of data from one or more detection devices located within the said storage area, said detection devices including at least one, or a combination of, a device to detect current latitude, longitude and/or altitude of the device and hence storage area, a device to determine the vehicle speed, a device to measure carbon dioxide levels and/or air temperature in the said storage area and wherein monitoring means are provided to determine whether one or more of said detection devices are operating in a correct manner and/or providing data within predefined parameters.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle operates by using information set which is sent and received from the central processing unit of the vehicle.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle operates by receiving data from the vehicles microprocessing unit.

21. A method of detecting a change in a parameter of a vehicle said method including detecting the latitude and longitude location of the vehicle and at least one parameter of a storage area provided with the vehicle and if the operating condition of the said at least one detection device provided to measure the at least one parameter, should change to be outside of predetermined operating parameters, generating an alert to the operator of the vehicle and/or external personnel or organisations.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the method includes the step of monitoring the level of fuel in the tank supply of the vehicle and the price of fuel in the vicinity of the detected location.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the method allows analysis of driving performance based on fuel rate, fuel efficiency, engine performance, vehicle velocity, foot pedal position, rate of change in accelerometer readings.

24. A method according to claim 21 wherein the method allows the reading of real time data from the vehicle CAN arbitration bus interface including any or any combination of total vehicle distance travel, total vehicle fuel consumption, tank fuel level, fuel rate, fuel efficiency, engine speed and tort, pedal position, vehicle velocity, cruise control, engine percentage load at current velocity, vehicle weight, outside temperature and/or driving gear.

25. (canceled)

Description

[0037] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying Figures wherein

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates the interior of a vehicle storage area in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in a schematic manner; and

[0040] FIGS. 3a and b illustrate performance of one aspect of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates the interior 10 of a vehicle storage area 12 which typically can be attached to a vehicle tractor unit 14 or can be a container which is mounted on a bed 16 of the tractor unit for transport. In either case the storage area can be provided for the storage of goods in an ambient environment or, as in this embodiment, may be provided with refrigeration means 18 to allow a chilled or frozen environment to be provided in the storage area to allow certain goods to be transported in a chilled or frozen condition. The storage area includes access doors 20 and in accordance with the invention in the interior of the storage area there is provided at least a CO.sub.2 detection device 22 mounted in a housing 24 with air vents to protect the same and allow the detection device to detect, in normal operation the level of CO.sub.2 in the storage area. The storage area will have a “normal” level of the gas but if humans or animals are present the level of CO.sub.2 will change and be detected by the detection device to thereby allow the unauthorised presence of the persons or animals to be detected. In addition there is provided an infra red detection means 26 which emits a beam into the storage area and typically towards the doors 20 and if the doors are open or the housing in which the CO.sub.2 detection device is mounted are blocked to prevent the detection device from monitoring the level of the gas in the storage area then the infra red beam will be broken and an alert generated to the driver and/or security forces.

[0042] A human on average has a breathing cycle of around 3.75 seconds exhaling around 500 Litres of CO2 per day or 1 kg/day. In our test, one adult was placed inside a vehicle storage area in the form of a trailer (8 ft×8.5 ft×20 ft) with a volumetric area of 37.3 m.sup.3 or 48.22 kg of air in the vehicle if empty (1 m.sup.3 of air=1.293 kg). The largest change in CO2 level was recorded by the sensor in the first hour from a reading of 450 ppm to 1509 ppm. Over an eight hour period, the CO2 level had saturated at around 4,526 ppm.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and in the tests real time changes in CO2 levels can be detected in the storage container, using a CO2 measurement device (302), as illustrated indicating the presence of living mammals and humans, from a non visionary approach.

[0044] In order for the CO2 sensor (302) to take the reading, it needs to be in contact with the air particles that move around the container though normal convection currents. An easy way of sabotaging the sensor would be to cover it with a sealed enclosure, with bonding or masking tape, as such the CO2 sensor (302) would read the level inside its own enclosure (300), but it will give a false reading, as it is being removed from the potential CO2 level inside the trailer or container (104).

[0045] The present invention solves this issue through the use of an Infra-Red (IR) proximity sensor (303) that is transmitting a coded IR signal (306) through the open air vent (307) and reflecting it back to determine the distance between the furthest point, normally the back door in the trailer (104) and the air vent (307) on the device housing (300) the CO2 sensor (302). This can also be achieved through the use of a ‘Through IR transmitter and receiver pair’.

[0046] Should the vent (307) be deliberately covered or the back door opened, then the reflected distance of the signal changes, typically to give a zero value, alerting the driver and police in real time, if the vehicle is currently in motion, with the back door opened and or sensor is blocked, though auto electronic messaging alerts if this has happened.

[0047] Detecting if the vents (307) are blocked can also be detected through a measurement of current or voltage feeding an air pump inside the enclosure (or can also be achieved through a pressure sensor inside the enclosure.) If the vents are blocked, then the pressure, load and current on the pump will increase.

[0048] The installation of the IR beam (306) is to be set at the very top (roof) of the trailer, pointing at a reflective strip at the top centre point of the rear door, so that its IR path is not being impeded by normal vehicle loading.

[0049] Any other method such as radar or ultrasonic can be used to measure distance, but will not be effective as to detect if vents are blocked. This is because these types of signal will permeate through any blockages or the enclosure regardless.

[0050] Finally, a heating element (304) can be added to the enclosure to ensure that recording temperatures are above the minimum recording temperature of the CO2 sensor.

[0051] The nature of the installation is that it is fixed inside each and every storage area trailer (104). When attaching the container to the vehicle, it must then be plugged into the vehicle through the inter-car connecting harness (202). This delivers power to the battery (305) and sensor device (300) installed inside the trailer (104). The device will typically run on battery (305) when not in use, to detect any stowaways breaking in overnight when the vehicle is not in motion or connected. It is noted that the communication system can either be via a data cable (with power), IR, RF or radar/ultrasonic or other such methods.

[0052] Data processor (301) inside the sensor device (300), reads the values of the CO2, IR and pump current to measure guaranteed CO2 levels inside the trailer. Data is collected by the processor (301) and processed with Digital Signal Processing, through moving average measurements. Records are then generated and time stamped against the current date/time at points of incremental changes in measurement. These records are also stamped with the current GPS location of the measurement by GPS devices installed on either (201) or (301) and are stored on a memory device on PCB and processor (301).

[0053] Generated records are then sent to a remote server via the GPRS system. If no GPRS signal is present, then records are held on the memory device and are queued for sending until the GPRS signal is restored. GPS and GPRS signals are transmitted via an aerial stored internally, inside the enclosure (300) to prevent deliberate sabotage. Once records have been successfully received by the server, then are then deleted off the memory storage device on (301).

[0054] Device (300) will run off the supply power (if connected) to the device inside the cabin (101) through the use of connection harness (202) and recharge the battery (305). Alternatively, device (300) can be powered via a fixed power installation cable directly in the trailer or container (104).

[0055] Device (201) reads the data on the vehicles CAN bus using the SAE J1936 protocol. It constantly reads the data from the vehicle CPU (103). The purpose of this approach is so that it can detect the motion and velocity of the vehicle through the vehicle CPU (103). Device (200) can also detect if the harness and device (300) is connected and operational.

[0056] It is also noted that a possible independent device (300) can detect vehicle motion via the GPS device, without the need to connect to any other device. However, the important key to the link between device (200) inside the cabin (101) and the device (300) inside the trailer, through a harness connection, means that an interception of the trailer can occur via the vehicle registration plate. This is important, because trailers and containers are interchangeable.

[0057] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method to prevent common fuel theft. Currently there are no methods or systems that can prevent a driver from part filling up their fuel tank and then subsequently filling up a second storage vessel, for their own personal use and then putting the total volume on their company fuel card.

[0058] Through the use of the CAN data bus on the vehicle, it is possible to detect the current fuel level inside the tank. Device (201) can then determine if there is an increase in fuel level when the vehicle is in a stationary position. If an increase in fuel level has been determined, then the total volume of fuel added into the tank and the GPS location is determined. From this location, it is possible to determine the fuel station being used and the current fuel price at that station. From this we can determine the expected value of the receipt submitted by the driver. Any value over the expected value can be then checked against fuel volume on the receipt and fuel theft can be determined.

[0059] In a third aspect of the invention, is a method to determine the driver performance. It has been discovered that driver performance has a large impact on fuel consumption. We discovered that manual operation (Semi Automatic) gear changing on the vehicle uses 61% (see FIG. 3b) more fuel to power ratio, as compared to automated gear changing (see FIG. 3a).

[0060] The above test was concluded with a total of 178,000 data points for each of the two tests, with the same vehicle, on the same day, in the same outside conditions at a temperature of between: 16.5° C. and 19° C.

[0061] We also discovered that cruise control is good for giving low fuel rates, as it maintains a steady speed across long flat stretches of motorway. But this saving is lost if going uphill, as the engine torque increases to maintain cruise control speed. It is therefore advisable to switch off cruise control if driving in hill like terrain. The invention presented can determine if the vehicle is in cruise control via the CAN bus data and the GPS location. From this, it can be determined if the driver is driving most fuel efficiently.

[0062] Furthermore, it was determined that hard acceleration or driving at high revolutions in the current gear, leads to high torque and fuel demand from the engine. This driving condition is thus determined by analysis of the relationship of engine speed to current gear.

[0063] For high acceleration and braking (which is noted to wear tyres) is determined by a 3D gyroscope accelerometer on the device.

[0064] A relationship between pedal position and engine torque and fuel rate was also determined.

[0065] The data points measured by the vehicle CPU (103) are transmitted on the CAN bus at a transfer rate of between 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. As such a method is required to use and compress the data being collected.

[0066] Here a mathematical method is applied to calculate the average parameter over tens of thousands of data points, without overloading the processor memory.

[00001]$\mathrm{NAx}=\frac{\left({.Math.}_0^{n}x\right)/n+\mathrm{CAx}\left(b-1\right)}{b}$

[0067] Where:

[0068] NAx is the new average value of the measured parameter calculated when the total of samples in the batch=the maximum sample size

[0069] CAx is the current average value of the parameter

[0070] x is the measured parameter value

[0071] b is the batch number of measured values

[0072] n is the maximum sample size

[0073] Using all of the data points determined to have an effect on fuel consumption; these values are compressed and represented as total average values or as values in heat maps against current operating gear as a percentage percentile across the measured range. The heat map gives an indication of the normal distribution of the driving style throughout the journey.

[0074] Records are generated at points of fixed distances for the metrics discussed and for a total journey distance. From this the fuel consumption per mile can be determined for each driver, with key indicators in the data as to why. This can be extended to fuel brand as this is known via the GPS system and refuelling points with pricing. From this, the calorific value of the brands fuel can be quantified as miles per £ and be available to the driver.