Data transmission in an arrangement comprising a tachograph

• US 8,200,984 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Esfandabadi, Riaz Hemmat
• Primary Examiner(s): Arani, Taghi
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANE, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US11/571,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20080059701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,575 Days
• Field of Search: 713/189
• US Class Current: 713/189
• 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. A system comprising:

a tachograph which stores driver-related data digitally in an internal first memory, the tachograph including a USB socket;

a mobile external data memory device which has a second memory, the mobile external data memory device including a USB plug configured to be plugged directly into the USB socket of the tachograph so that data can be transmitted between the USB socket and the USB plug at a location physically inside the tachograph, wherein the second memory contains driver information and a unique encryption key;

wherein the tachograph has a first encrypting unit which is associated with the USB socket and the data memory device has a second encrypting unit which is associated with the USB plug so that data can be transmitted encrypted with the unique encryption key between the USB socket and the USB plug only after a user manually inputs a correct authentication code in order to authenticate the user, and wherein the USB socket and the USB plug are constructed in such a manner that they can exchange data with one another cablelessly.

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

3. The system 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.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein a connection between the USB socket and the USB plug is constructed in such a manner that the data memory device can be supplied with operating power by means of the connection.

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

6. The system according to claim 4, 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.

7. 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 a USB socket formed in the tachograph and a USB plug formed on the external data memory device having a second memory which plugs into the USB socket formed in the tachograph so that data can be transmitted between the USB socket and the USB plug at a location physically inside the tachograph to be stored in the second memory, comprising the steps of:

requesting a user to manually enter an authentication code into the tachograph;

determining whether the user'"'"'s entry matches a stored authentication code;

only if the user'"'"'s entry matches a stored authentication code, performing 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 USB socket before the transmission, and encrypting data which are transmitted to the data memory device to the tachograph by means of a second encrypting unit associated with the USB plug before the transmission, and wherein data are exchanged cablelessly between the USB socket and the USB plug.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after a connection has been established between the USB socket and the USB plug, a user of the tachograph is requested to input a code by means of which the user authenticates himself.