Data Transmission In An Arrangement Comprising A Tachograph

• US 20080059701A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Esfandabadi, Riaz
• Granted Patent: US 8,200,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/115
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

An arrangement has a tachograph, an external mobile data memory device with an external second interface, the interface corresponding with the first interface, for providing data transmission. For safety reasons, conventional arrangements provide for a complete mechanical isolation of the memory device during transmission, the memory device being configured as a data card. In order to reduce cost without compromising safety, the tachograph has a first encoding unit associated to an interface of the tachograph and the data memory device has a second encoding unit to enable data transmission in encoded form.

Claims

1. An arrangement comprising a tachograph which stores driver-related data digitally in an internal first memory, with a mobile external data memory device which has a second memory, with an external first interface at the tachograph and an external second interface at the external data memory device which corresponds with the first interface so that data can be transmitted between the first interface and the second interface, characterized in that the tachograph has a first encrypting unit which is associated with the first external interface and the data memory device has a second encrypting unit which is associated with the second external interface so that data can be transmitted encrypted between the first interface and the second interface.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first external interface and the second external interface are constructed in such a manner that they can form a plug-in connection with one another via which data can be transmitted.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first external interface and the second external interface are constructed in such a manner that they can exchange data with one another cablelessly.

4. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the plug-in connection is constructed as USB connection, the first interface at the tachograph is constructed as socket and the second interface at the data memory device is constructed as plug.

5. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the plug-in connection is constructed as cableless USB connection.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the data memory device has an exchangeable storage medium.

7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the data memory device has at least one light-emitting means which emits light or flashes depending on whether a data transmission is taking place.

8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a connection between the first interface and the second interface is constructed in such a manner that the data memory device can be supplied with operating power by means of the connection.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein man-readable information is applied as print on the data memory device.

10. The arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the printed-on man-readable information is provided with a transparent layer domed in the direction of a reader, which allows the print to appear optically larger.

11. A method for transmitting data from a tachograph which stores driver-related data digitally in an internal first memory to a mobile data memory device by means of an external first interface at the tachograph and an external second interface at the external data memory device which corresponds with the first interface so that data can be transmitted between the first interface and the second interface, comprising the steps of:

encrypting data which are transmitted by the tachograph to the data memory device by means of a first encrypting unit associated with the first interface before the transmission, and

encrypting data which are transmitted from the data memory device to the tachograph by means of a second encrypting unit associated with the second interface before the transmission.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein data are exchanged wirelessly between the first external interface and the second external interface.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein after a connection has been established between the first external interface and the second external interface, a user of the tachograph is requested to input a code by means of which the user authenticates himself.