WO2001055994A1

WO2001055994A1 - Method and device for route recording

Info

Publication number: WO2001055994A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/000146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kaj Gellberg
Original assignee: Uniq Universal Information Quality Ab
Priority date: 2000-01-26
Filing date: 2001-01-26
Publication date: 2001-08-02
Also published as: AU3067501A; EP1183670A1; SE0000216D0; SE0000216L

Abstract

Method at route registration, wherein map information concerning a distribution area is stored in a database together with geographical data concerning at least one itinerary (38) in the distribution area and individual visiting points (36) along the itinerary. The map information and said geographical data are transmitted to a mobile unit (13) and are visualised on a display (30) of the mobile unit. Means (11) at units (10) of each visiting point automatically transmit a confirmation signal to the mobile unit (13) in connection with the visiting point being physically visited. After receipt of the confirmation signal, the visited visiting point is given an altered configuration on the display. The mobile unit (13) comprises means for receipt and storage of database information. A display (30) of the mobile unit is arranged for showing the map information, itinerary and visiting points. The units (10) at each visiting point are provided with at least one transponder (11) for automatic transmission of a confirmation signal to the mobile unit (13) in connection with that the visiting point is physically visited by a vehicle (12). A control unit (31) of the mobile unit (13) is made to alter the configuration of the visited visiting point on the display after receipt of the confirmation signal.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ROUTE RECORDING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and a device at route registration. At different services in connection with transports, the person who performs a transport is informed about a suitable route. This is found, e.g., in connection with transport of goods, transfer between different guarding or surveillance points.

PRIOR ART

For many applications, the route plays a smaller role. It is also so that the person who performs the transport by his own experience may choose a suitable route. However, there are applications in which also the route is important as well as the fact that different visiting points along the route during an assignment are visited in a predetermined order and, above all, that no visiting point is missed. Presently, systems of frequent occurrence comprise the use of printed or drawn maps with an established itinerary marked on the map. However, it is a problem that follow-up and subsequent control that the assignment has been performed in the predetermined way cannot take place in a simple way.

There are also electronic map systems, which also may be connected to a position finding system, e.g. GPS (Global Positioning System). In such systems, map and itinerary are shown on some kind of display, which also may indicate the present position for the user. A disadvantage of these systems is that no possibility to follow up the actual route is offered.

In guarding situations, for instance, it is common that a guard, or the corresponding staff, in connection with a visit in a space that is checked, confirms his/her presence in a mechanical or electronic way. Usually, this assumes that the guard physically actuates a device in the space or that code information positioned in the space is read. The reading may be manual or take place with a data pen or a similar device. In the latter case, the code information may be a bar-code or the like. In this way, a basis for a subse- quent control that all spaces really have been checked and possibly when this has taken place is achieved. Systems that are used in guarding situations are expensive and complicated, not the least for reasons of security, and are not found in other situations.

THE INVENTION IN SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to decrease the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages and to provide a method that in a mobile unit supplies information about the route and that enables follow-up of how the route has been followed. The object is attained by the invention having received the features given in the independent claims.

According to the invention, a mobile unit is provided with memory means for storage of data that corresponds to map information and geo- graphical data concerning at least one route in the distribution area and individual visiting points along the route. These data are suitably transmitted from a stationary unit as a selection of a larger amount of data. The transmission of data may take place wireiessly, e.g. with GSM or another radio or with IR light. The transmission may also take place by wire or by connecting the mobile unit with the stationary unit.

Before a transport, said data are transmitted to the mobile unit and are visualised on a display for the person who will carry out the transport. In that connection, the itinerary as well as the individual places, which will be visited during the transport, are indicated. Suitably, the first place that will be visited is particularly emphasised, e.g. by centering the part of the map where the place is on the display, in addition, all unvisited places may be particularly marked, e.g. by a different colour or size on the display.

The mobile unit is available for the person who will carry out the transport, henceforth denominated the driver, and gives direct information to the driver about the first visiting place and the route to get there. The mobile unit comprises memory means, display and a communication unit. In the communication unit, some kind of input means, e.g. a keyboard or pointing board or microphone, is included by means of which the driver communicates with the mobile unit. For certain applications, it may be possible to use a so- called touch screen, i.e. a screen that is pressure-sensitive or comprises other means that detect when a finger, or a pointed item such as a pen, is brought forward towards the screen surface.

At those places that the driver will visit during the transport, there are communication means, which automatically establish contact with the mobile unit via its communication unit in connection with the place being visited. Suitably, the communication means comprises a transponder, which reacts on a signal from the communication unit and returns a signal, which can be perceived by the communication unit. The mobile unit is connected to an aerial means, which wirelessly can transmit signals to and from the communication means.

In a preferred embodiment, transponders are arranged on refuse con- tainers. In a vehicle which is driven around and empties the refuse containers, the aerial means is arranged, which is connected with a brought along mobile unit. In connection with the refuse container being emptied in the vehicle, communication takes place between the aerial means and the transponder. By the communication, the mobile unit registers that emptying has taken place. This information may be used to update a screen in the mobile unit and to transmit information about completed work to a centre.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail by means of embodiment examples while referring to the appended drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an application of the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication system used together with the invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile unit used with the invention, Fig. 4 is a schematic planar view of an embodiment of a mobile unit with a display according to the invention, a transport being indicated as ready to begin, and

Fig. 5 is a schematic planar view according to Fig. 3, the transport having been carried out approximately half way.

THE INVENTION

In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , a device according to the invention is used in a system for follow-up of a refuse disposal system.

Refuse containers 10 along an itinerary that are to be emptied are provided with communication means in the form of a transponder 11. A vehicle 12, here schematically shown as a refuse collection lorry, is provided with a mobile unit 13. The mobile unit comprises a communication unit 20 having a first embodiment of an aerial means 14 for the communication with the transponder 11. For a closer description of the mobile unit, see the description in connection with Fig. 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the range for the communication between the first aerial means 14 and the transponder 11 is strongly limited. Thereby, contact is established first when the distance between the transponder and the first aerial means 14 is small. Preferably, the distance has to be so small that the refuse container has to be placed in an emptying device of the vehicle in order to establish contact.

The mobile unit 13 is provided with a second aerial means 15, which is used for communication with a base station 16. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the base station 16 comprises a computer unit 17, a screen 18 and a module 19 for wireless communication with the mobile unit 13. Suitably, the communication between the base station 16 and the mobile unit 13 is carried out via GSM, or a corresponding system. However, it is also possible that another radio communication system is used or that a physical connection between the units is provided for the communication. In other applications, it may be suitable that information is transmitted by memory modules, e.g. of the type which is denominated "flash memory". Suitably, communication between the base station 16 and the mobile unit 13 is carried out in both directions.

An example of a transponder 11 together with the appurtenant communication unit 20 is schematically shown in Fig. 2. The communication unit 20 is connected to a mobile unit 13 via first interface means 21 and comprises also a coding/decoding unit 22. The communication between the unit 20 and the transponder 11 is carried out by a first transmitter/receiver 23 and the first aerial means 14 connected therewith. An oscillator 29, which operates at a frequency in the range from some hundred kHz to some MHz, generates a signal that is transmitted via the first transmitter/receiver 23 and the first aerial means 14. The signal that is emitted may be pulse-shaped or coded in some way, e.g. phase-shift keying (PSK modulation). The signal may also consist of a sweep or have a large frequency content in another way. The transponder 11 comprises a third aerial means 24 and a coding unit 25. The third aerial means 24 absorbs energy from the signal that is transmitted from the first aerial means 14. The received energy is used for driving the other components of the transponder, which means that the transponder 11 lacks an energy source of its own. The coding unit 25 may in simple applications comprise a simple LC oscillator or a similar circuit, which begins to oscillate when energy has been received. The arising oscillation results in transmission of a radio signal via the third aerial means 24. Said transmitted signal is picked up by the first aerial means 14 and is detected in the coding/decoding unit 22. In the embodiment shown, the coding unit 25 comprises an electronic unit having a plurality of components. A detector circuit 26 detects the received signal and influences via a logic circuit 27 how the transponder 11 will react on the received signal. Different responses may be generated depending on the signal received and the contents in a memory circuit 28 connected with the logic circuit 27. The response may be coded or modulated in a suitable way. A frequency shift modulation (FSK) signal gives a good security at the communication and is suitably used. In the application in question, it is sufficient that the transponder 11 emits an identifiable signal when the distance between the transponder 11 and the communication unit 20 is below a certain value. Suitably, said value corresponds to the distance between the transponder 11 and the communi- cation unit 20 when a refuse container 10 is placed in a lifting device of the vehicle 12 for emptying of the refuse container. Thereby, the mobile unit 13 receives a confirmation that the measure of emptying a certain refuse container is performed.

The signal emitted from the transponder is weak, which means that the range for the communication between the transponder 11 and the communication unit 20 is small. This decreases the risk for a confirmation signal being given prematurely. It is also possible that the communication unit 20 is made to emit a signal only at certain conditions, e.g. in direct conjunction with the emptying of a refuse container. Fig. 3 shows an example of how the mobile unit 13 may be designed.

A large part of the surface of the mobile unit 13 is taken up by a display 30, which suitably is of LCD type, or a similar flat screen type. The display 30 is connected with a control unit 31, which suitably comprises a microprocessor or a similar component. The mobile unit 13 is actuated and may be controlled by a user via input/output means 32. Suitably, the input/output means 32 comprises buttons or keys, but means for receipt of sound control signals may also be suitable to use. In an alternative solution, the display is of pressure-sensitive type and may then also work as input/output means.

For the communication with the communication unit 20, a second interface means 33 is connected to the control unit 31. A second transmitter/receiver 34 is connected to the control unit 31 and is arranged for the communication between the mobile unit 13 and the base station 16. Suitably, the second transmitter/receiver 34 comprises a GSM module or the like for communication over a mobile telephone system. In Fig. 4, an example of the design of the mobile unit 13 is shown. The large display 30 takes up a large part of the front of the mobile unit 13. In the lower part of the mobile unit, a plurality of buttons 35 are seen, which consti- tute part of the input/output means 32. To the left in Fig. 4, the second aerial means 15 is shown.

On the display 30, a map having a plurality of visiting points 36 marked with unfilled circles is shown schematically. The map is shown in a starting position, in which no visiting points in the area in question yet have been visited. The visiting point, which is intended to be visited first, is marked with a considerably thicker line than other visiting points at 37. If a colour screen is used in the display, another colour can be used to indicate the next visiting point. In order to mark the next visiting point additionally, the same can be centred on the screen by panning the map. The route that should be followed is marked on the display with a dashed and dotted line 38.

The information about visiting points and itinerary which is shown according to Fig. 4 may also be shown on the display in the form of a list. Selection of display type may be chosen with the buttons 35. It is also possi- ble to combine viewing of the map and list at the same time. On the display, the number of visiting points that remain along the marked route may also be shown.

Information about itinerary and visiting points is normally compiled in the base station 16 and is preferably transmitted to the mobile unit 13 via GSM or a corresponding wireless system. In the same way, also supplementary information about itineraries for other assignments and appurtenant maps are suitably transmitted as well as information about customers and further information about each visiting point, e.g. the number of refuse containers in the application described here. The driver indicates via the input/output means 32 assignment and indicates his/her identity. According to an alternative embodiment, the driver only indicates his/her identity, and then the control unit 31 in the mobile unit 13 establishes assignment and itinerary. In both cases, the itinerary in question and visiting points in question are shown on the display 30. The first visiting point 37 is particularly marked on the display.

When the visiting point is reached, the measure in question is carried out. In the application described here, this means that a refuse container is collected and placed in the vehicle 12 for emptying. In connection with the emptying, communication takes place between the communication unit 20 and the transponder 11 , the transponder 11 being identified by the information in the response from the transponder. Information about the identity of the transponder is transmitted to the mobile unit and on to the base station via the second transmitter/receiver 34. The transmission to the base station may take place directly, as has been described above, or at a certain interval when gathered information from a plurality of visiting points can be transmitted at the same time. It is also possible that the information is transmitted only in connection with an assignment being entirely completed.

After that all measures have been taken at a visiting point, the marking thereof on the display is changed. In the example shown, the unfilled circle is changed to a filled circle. If a colour screen is used, the point indicating a visiting point can change colour. A particular information window 40 may be used for indicating to the driver how many visiting points that remain in the assignment in question.

After five visiting points having been visited, the map in the application in question has the look that is shown in Fig. 5. The next visiting point 37 is, as has been described above, marked with a bolder circle line. The part assignments that have been carried out are marked with a filled circle, which is marked at 39. The information window 40 now indicates that twelve visiting points remains to visit during the present assignment.

In the control unit 31 , a computer program that may be more or less complex is executed. In a suitable embodiment, there are routines for han- dling deviations in connection with emptyings. Such deviations may, e.g., be that a refuse container is missing or that the measure could not be completed for some reason. If a deviation is to be reported, the driver starts this program routine in the mobile unit. Suitably, the display in such an application is formed as a touch screen, which enables start of the desired routine as well as input of a deviation report. It is also possible to use the buttons 35 for this object. The deviations may be reported immediately or periodically to the base station in a suitable way. In the base station, the deviation is registered and a report can be generated automatically and sent to the customer at whom the deviation has been registered.

Another program routine in the mobile unit 13 continuously follows the responses from the respective transponder and registers a possible deviation from expected number of transponders or the order in which the transponders are expected to come in question. Said types of deviations are suitably indicated on the display 30, so that the driver can correct a possible mistake, as well as to the base station for a later follow-up.

The mobile unit is continuously updated concerning which visiting point being in question, and this information can be demanded from the base station or continuously be reported thereto. Thereby, the position of the vehicle can continuously be registered by the base station. In an alternative or supplementary solution, a GPS device connected with the mobile unit, which registers the position of the vehicle in question and transmits informa- tion thereabout to the base station, is used instead. The position may, in such an embodiment, also be indicated on the display 30.

Claims

1. Method at route registration, map information concerning a distribution area being stored in a database together with geographical data concerning at least one itinerary (38) in the distribution area and individual visiting points (36) along the itinerary, c h a ra c t e ri z e d in that the map information and said geographical data are transmitted to a mobile unit (13), that the map information, itinerary and visiting points are visualised on a display (30) of the mobile unit, that means (11) at each visiting point automatically transmit a confirmation signal to the mobile unit (13) in connection with that visiting point being physically visited, that the visited visiting point is given an altered configuration on the display after receipt of the confirmation signal.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein a visiting point (37) being next is configured in a way deviating from other visiting points (36) on the display (30).

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein at a certain point in time, unvisited visiting points (36) are configured in another way on the display (30) than already visited visiting points (39).

4. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the number of unvisited visiting points (36) at a certain point in time is indicated on the display (30).

5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein a visiting point (37) being next is centred on the display (30).

6. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the database is updated and stored in a base station (16) and information in the database is transmitted wire- lessly backwards and forwards between the base station (16) and the mobile unit (13).

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the means (11) at each visiting point emits an identifiable and unique signal to the mobile unit (13) in connection with the visiting point being physically visited.

8. Device at route registration, including a mobile unit (13), the mobile unit

(13) comprising means for receiving and storing database information concerning map information of a distribution area and geographical data concerning at least one itinerary (38) in the distribution area and individual units (10) at a plurality of visiting points (36) along the itinerary, c h a ra c t e riz e d in that a display (30) of the mobile unit is arranged for showing the map information, itinerary and visiting points, that the units (10) at each visiting point are provided with at least one transponder (11) for automatic transmission of a confirmation signal to the mobile unit (13) in connection with the visiting point being physically visited by a vehicle (12) and that a control unit (31) of the mobile unit (13) is made to alter the configuration of the visited visiting points on the display after receipt of the confirmation signal.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein a communication unit (20) co-oper- ates with the transponder (11) is arranged on the vehicle (12) and wherein the communication unit (20) is provided with a first transmitter/receiver (23) for wireless emission of energy to the transponder (11) and for receipt of a response generated by the energy received by the transponder (11).

10. Device according to claim 8, wherein a base station (16) comprises a module (19) for wireless communication with a second transmitter/receiver (34) of the mobile unit (13) for transmission of database information.