Telematics system, methods and apparatus for two-way data communication between vehicles in a fleet and a fleet management system
First Claim
1. A system for controlling the operational mode of vehicles in a vehicle fleet, comprising:
- a plurality of fleet vehicles, each vehicle with a make and model; and
a plurality of telematics control units adapted to be installed in said plurality of fleet vehicles, wherein each telematics control unit comprises a processor to execute computer readable code embedded on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, a connection to an OBD II port of a vehicle from said plurality of vehicles, to enable each telematics control unit to receive vehicle sensor data and actuate a plurality of vehicle devices, a connection to a vehicle access device, and a cellular modem enabling transmission of vehicle data and receipt of programming;
wherein each telematics control unit is programmed for proper operation for the make and model of the specific vehicle in which it is installed;
further wherein each telematics control unit is programmed with at least one of a plurality of available vehicle operational modes;
a fleet management system including a processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from said plurality of telematics control units, associating each telematics control unit installed in a specific vehicle with that specific vehicle;
an application module associated with the fleet management system, enabling the remote selection of a desired vehicle operational mode for a particular telematics control unit, and when the desired vehicle operational mode is different from the vehicle operational mode with which the particular telematics control unit is programmed, transmitting new programming associated with the desired vehicle operational mode to the particular telematics control unit, such that, after transmission of the new programming, the particular telematics control unit and associated vehicle may be operated in accordance with the desired vehicle operational mode without removal of the particular telematics control unit from the associated vehicle;
further wherein each telematics control unit is programmed with an idle mode operable when the telematics control unit is disconnected from a vehicle, wherein data communications to and from a telematics control unit in idle mode are restricted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to the OBD II port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.
5 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the operational mode of vehicles in a vehicle fleet, comprising:
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a plurality of fleet vehicles, each vehicle with a make and model; and a plurality of telematics control units adapted to be installed in said plurality of fleet vehicles, wherein each telematics control unit comprises a processor to execute computer readable code embedded on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, a connection to an OBD II port of a vehicle from said plurality of vehicles, to enable each telematics control unit to receive vehicle sensor data and actuate a plurality of vehicle devices, a connection to a vehicle access device, and a cellular modem enabling transmission of vehicle data and receipt of programming; wherein each telematics control unit is programmed for proper operation for the make and model of the specific vehicle in which it is installed; further wherein each telematics control unit is programmed with at least one of a plurality of available vehicle operational modes; a fleet management system including a processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from said plurality of telematics control units, associating each telematics control unit installed in a specific vehicle with that specific vehicle; an application module associated with the fleet management system, enabling the remote selection of a desired vehicle operational mode for a particular telematics control unit, and when the desired vehicle operational mode is different from the vehicle operational mode with which the particular telematics control unit is programmed, transmitting new programming associated with the desired vehicle operational mode to the particular telematics control unit, such that, after transmission of the new programming, the particular telematics control unit and associated vehicle may be operated in accordance with the desired vehicle operational mode without removal of the particular telematics control unit from the associated vehicle; further wherein each telematics control unit is programmed with an idle mode operable when the telematics control unit is disconnected from a vehicle, wherein data communications to and from a telematics control unit in idle mode are restricted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification