System and method for monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage for long haul trucks

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage for long haul trucks includes transmitting route data from a dispatcher to a distant truck where comparisons aboard the truck are made of its current position with predetermined acceptable positions and exception reports are generated and transmitted back to the dispatcher from the truck if the current position is not included in the set of predetermined acceptable positions. The truck has on board a transceiver computer assembly 204 with a program memory assembly 206. The transceiver computer assembly 204 includes an input 232 for a position source which may be a GPS receiver for providing a report on the truck position, and an input 230 for an auxiliary data source which may be an on-board mileage counter. Geographic co-ordinates representing route segment end points are also input and the processor 210 computes a set of acceptable positions for the truck.

Description: This invention relates to the monitoring and reporting of out-of-route mileage of a truck. For years trucking companies have attempted to monitor and control out-of-route mileage driven by long haul truckers. In the past, truck drivers have been known to, either unintentionally or intentionally, drive considerable distances from their assigned routes. These "out-of-route" miles are extremely expensive to trucking companies because of the additional fuel expense and maintenance expenses associated with the additional mileage. US-A-4 774 672 describes an on-board navigation system for a vehicle, the system comprising a microprocessor unit with a CD-ROM map memory, vehicle direction and distance sensors, a display unit having a CRT, and a data input unit with manually operable switches and a transparent touch panel mounted over the CRT screen for entering route starting and destination points. The direction sensor is a magnetic compass and the distance sensor is a pulse generator driven by a vehicle wheel. The map data is organised in blocks, with each map block corresponding to a full screen display. A block is displayed in response to entry of an identifying code. A starting or destination point is then entered by use of the touch panel. The microprocessor unit generates a route between a starting point and a destination point and selects target points along the route as updating points. During vehicle travel, the travel distance and the instantaneous vehicle position are derived and updated periodically. A vehicle symbol displayed on the screen with the appropriate map block is moved appropriately after each update. If the vehicle is outside an error zone containing the route portion between two update points, and the vehicle is intended to change direction significantly, the message "OFF COURSE" is displayed on the screen. Such a message may be displayed in other circumstances where departure by a significant amount from the preset route is detected. It is assumed that the vehicle will be driven back to the preset route. Several different methods have been used in the past as attempts to restrict out-of-route mileage. One example is to require the truck driver to periodically stop the vehicle and telephone in the vehicle location. Another has been to monitor the actual mileage that has been driven and compare it to the predetermined route distance. Yet another is to continuously transmit, by radio etc., the truck's present position to a central despatcher where it can be monitored. While these methods have enjoyed some use in the past, they do have several serious drawbacks. First of all, the method which requires the truck driver to stop the vehicle and telephone in has disadvantages because it requires additional duties for the truck driver and associated delays. Furthermore, problems with the veracity and accuracy of the driver's position report can be frequent impediments to accurate and timely out-of-route determinations. The method of comparing the actual total mileage the truck has driven with the total predetermined route distance is undesirable because it cannot be performed in a real time fashion and must involve a lag time between when the truck is being driven and when the comparisons are made. The method involving continuous radio transmission of the truck's current position to a central dispatcher is undesirable because it consumes much precious radio transmission time and further places a great burden on the central dispatcher and dispatcher's computer, especially if numerous trucks are being simultaneously monitored. Consequently there exists a need for improvement in the monitoring and reporting of out-of-route mileage for the trucking industry. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage of a truck comprising: means at a first location for transmitting signals corresponding to geographic coordinates to the truck at a position distant from the first location; means on board the truck for: receiving the said signals; generating in response to the said signals and without driver action areas of acceptable truck positions; providing a position signal corresponding to the current position of the truck; comparing without driver action the current position represented by the position signal with a set of the acceptable truck positions; generating without driver action an exception report if the current position signal does not represent an acceptable truck position within the said set; and transmitting exception reports to the first location; and means at the first location for receiving exception reports on a real-time basis. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage of a truck, comprising the steps of: transmitting from a first location signals corresponding to geographic coordinates to the truck at a position distant from the first location; receiving at the truck the said signals; generating on board the truck in response to the received signals and without driver action areas of acceptable truck positions; providing on board the truck a position signal corresponding to the current position of the truck; comparing on board the truck and without driver action the current position represented by the position signal with a set of predetermined acceptable truck positions; generating on board the truck and without driver action an exception report if the current position signal does not represent an acceptable truck position within the said set; transmitting an exception report from the truck to the first location; and receiving exception reports at the first location on a real-time basis. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide: a satellite communications system and on-board truck position determining system; determining of information concerning truck position in a real-time fashion; an on-board apparatus for determining whether the current truck position is outside of a predetermined acceptable route for generating an exception report if appropriate; alerting of the central dispatcher of any out-of-route trucks without the need for continuous transmission of vehicle position to the central despatcher. A preferred embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a satellite communication and truck position system with the capability of monitoring and reporting out-of-route truck mileage. The monitoring is carried out in a "driver-less" system in a sense that the need for actual involvement of the truck driver in the out-of-route mileage determination is eliminated. Instead, the current truck position and acceptable truck position comparisons are made by an on-board apparatus which requires no driver interaction. Additionally, the monitoring is carried out in a "lag time-less" system in a sense that the lag time that is generally associated with comparing the actual driven mileage with the acceptable route mileage, after the trip has ended, is eliminated. Instead, the determination of the out-of-route mileage is made on a real time or near real time basis. Furthermore, the excessive computer burden associated with receiving, monitoring, and processing continuous position reports from numerous vehicles is eliminated. Instead, the determination of out-of-route mileage is done on-board the truck and an exception report is issued only when the vehicle is outside the assigned route, thereby greatly reducing the radio transmission and central computer burden when the trucks are within the route. The preferred system for monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage for long haul trucks includes means for determining geographic position of a truck, means for transmitting and receiving information between the truck and a dispatch station, means on-board said truck for comparing said geographic position of said truck with a range of acceptable predetermined geographic positions for said truck and means for generating an exception report when said geographic position is outside of the range of acceptable predetermined geographic positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a representation of a system embodying the present invention including the mobile unit which generates position exception reports from a truck, the satellite and the dispatch station which accepts and processes position exception reports; Figure 2 is a functional block diagram representation of apparatus which is located on board the truck; Figures 3A and 3B are flow charts of methods embodying the present invention for determining and reporting out-of-route mileage. Figure 4A is a geographic representation of a representative truck route containing predetermined acceptable route rectangles according to the method of Figure 3A. Figure 4B is a geographic representation of a representative truck route containing zones separated by routes of predetermined length according to the method of Figure 3B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Now referring to Figure 1, there is shown a system for monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage, of the present invention, generally designated 100. System 100 includes a communications satellite 112, a tractor-trailer combination 122 and a dispatch center 132. Tractor-trailer 122 includes a mobile transceiver unit 124 disposed on board for generating and transmitting position exception report signals through antenna 126 to the dispatcher 134 at dispatch terminal 136 by way of antenna/transceiver 138 at dispatch center 132. This description is merely exemplary of many possible tractor/satellite/dispatch center combinations. It is also contemplated that a single earth station could receive signals from the satellite and rely the messages via telephone lines to various geographically dispersed dispatchers. Also, other transmitter and receiver combinations may be utilized which do not use satellite communications. For example, traditional radio communications or radio/telephone communications could be substituted for the satellite communications system. Now referring to Figure 2, there is shown a block diagram of the apparatus 200 of the unit 124, including a transceiver computer assembly 204 and a program memory assembly 206. The apparatus 200 is shown as an example, but other designs which are capable of performing the same functions of radio communication and comparison of current position with predetermined acceptable positions may be substituted. Transceiver computer assembly 204 includes processor 210, which is preferably an 80C186 processor, which is capable of performing many functions including route rectangle generation and the comparison of current position with predetermined acceptable positions. Processor 210 is coupled with data bus 212. Also coupled with data bus 212 is discrete transceiver controls 214 which provides the normal control functions for a transceiver assembly, power supply interface 216 which provides the power source necessary for a typical transceiver assembly, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) interface 218 for extracting the digital information stream from an extremely low signal to noise ratio radio frequency transmission and is preferably a ADSP2105, and exciter interface 220 for controlling the transmitter output signal to noise ratio, a synthesizer interface 222 for controlling the transmitter and receiver frequency at low phase noise correcting for Doppler shift over a wide temperature range, with high frequency stability which is preferably an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and a serial I/O controller 224 which is preferably a Z85C30 and is used to control the input and output of data from a variety of sources including a Control and Display Unit (CDU) 226, an external data terminal 228, an auxiliary data source 230 and a position source 232. CDU 226 may be a device providing for alphanumeric keyboard, special function keys for control, display area for text messages, status lights, and audible annunciator to alert vehicle driver, external data terminal 228 may be a keyboard or other device for allowing the driver to manually in put data, the auxiliary data source may be an additional data source of any type but, preferably is a Rockwell International "Tripmaster"® data recorder, or similar data recorder and the position source 232 may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or a Loran C receiver or any other device which is capable of providing a report on the vehicle position. Also coupled to data bus 212 are the discrete installation interface 234 and the applications processor interface 236. Also coupled to data bus 212 and applications processor 236 are memories including nonvolatile memory 238 and scratch pad RAM 240. Transceiver computer assembly 204 is coupled to program memory assembly 206 through data bus 212 which provides access to control program EPROM 242 and applications program EPROM 244. Now referring to Figure 3A, there is shown a flow chart of a preferred method of the present invention including: Step 1. A truck is assigned to carry a load from an origin to a destination. Step 2. A route between origin and destination is selected. Step 3. The route is broken into segments, so that, the position of the selected route falls within a route rectangle having a predetermined width dimension and variable length dimension. Step 4. The geographic coordinates representing the endpoints of the route segment are transmitted to the truck. Step 5. The on-board processor generates the boundaries of the route rectangle so that the opposite ends of the rectangle are a predetermined distance from the route segment end points and thereby creates a set of geographic positions which are located within the rectangle and thereby are acceptable positions for the truck. Step 6. Steps 4 & 5 are repeated for each segment provided by Step 3. Step 7. An on-board positioning system provides a current position signal, then the on-board processor compares the current position signal to the set of acceptable positions falling within the route rectangles. Step 8. If the current position is not in the set of acceptable positions, then a position exception report is generated by the on-board processor. Step 9. The transceiver transmits the position exception report to the dispatcher. Now referring to Figure 3B there is shown a flow chart of a method embodying the present invention including: Step 1. A truck is assigned to carry a load from an origin to a destination. Step 2. A route between origin and destination is selected. Step 3. The route is broken into segments, so that, the length of each segment has a known route length. Step 4. The geographic coordinates representing the end points of the route segments are transmitted to the truck along with the known route length for each segment. Step 5. The transceiver receiver assembly generates and an area of acceptable positions disposed around the segment end point. Step 6. Steps 4 and 5 are repeated for each segment provided by Step 3. Step 7. An on-board mileage counter provides an accumulated mileage signal to the on-board processor. When the accumulated mileage signal equals the route length received from the dispatcher, the on-board processor compares the current position signal from the on-board positioning system to the set of acceptable positions for the end point. Step 8. If the current position signal is not in the set of acceptable positions, then a position exception report is generated by the on-board processor. Step 9. The transceiver transmits the position exception report to the dispatcher. Now referring to Figure 4A, there is shown a geographic map, of a portion of the state of Iowa, generally designated 400A, which includes a references point 402, corresponding to the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a reference point 404 corresponding to the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Extending between points 402 and 404 is solid line 403 which represents a selected route from the origin at Cedar Rapids to the destination at Council Bluffs. Also shown is a first route rectangle 406 which extends generally southward from a point north of Cedar Rapids. Enclosed in rectangle 406 is line segment 408 which represents a route segment corresponding to a section of Interstate 380. Also shown is route rectangle 410 having therein line 412 representing a route segment corresponding to a section of Interstate 80. Also shown is a route rectangle 414 having line 416 therein which represents another section of Interstate 80. Also shown are route rectangles 418, 420, and 422 containing therein lines 424, 426 and 428 respectively which each represent a section of Interstate 80. It can be seen that the lines 408, 412, 424, 426, and 428 are generally rectilinear and are always located completely within their respective route rectangles. In fact, the orientation and dimension of the route rectangles are selected so that the route segment contained therein is at a maximum length, thereby creating the need for a minimum number of route rectangles on any particular route. In operation, as a truck proceeds from Cedar Rapids, the origin, to Council Bluffs, the destination, the on-board positioning system and on-board processor are frequently determining the current position of the truck and comparing it to the set of acceptable positions falling within the route rectangles. If the driver either intentionally or unintentionally deviates from the assigned route, to the extent that the truck is no longer located in the route rectangle, the on-board processor will generate an exception report and it will be transmitted to the dispatcher, where appropriate actions can be taken. If the truck operates entirely on the assigned route and never leaves the route rectangles, then no exception reports will be generated. Now referring to Figure 4B, there is shown a geographic map of, a portion of the state of Iowa, generally designated 400B, which includes a reference point 402B corresponding to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a reference point 404B corresponding to Council Bluffs, Iowa, the destination. Extending between points 402B and 404B is line 403B which corresponds to the selected route between origin Cedar Rapids and destination Council Bluffs. Line 403B is broken into a series of line segments 460, 462, 464, 466 and 468. The line segments join at junction points 461, 463, 465 and 467. Disposed around each of the junction points is shown a circular zone which corresponds to a predetermined zone about the junction point in which a set of acceptable positions are located. In operation, once the route has been determined to extend from Cedar Rapids to Council Bluffs the particular route path is selected and is broken into several segments where each segment has a known route length. When the vehicle is progressing along the route, the on-board mileage counter or "Tripmaster"® accumulates the mileage travelled from the last junction point and provides a signal to the processor. When this accumulated mileage signal equals the known route length, which has been transmitted from the dispatch center to the on-board processor, the processor then compares the current position information from the on-board positioning system with the set of acceptable positions located in the circle about the next junction point. If the vehicle has travelled on the assigned route, then the vehicle will be located within the circle of acceptable positions and no exception report will be generated. However, if the vehicle has significantly departed from the assigned route and is not located in the circle of acceptable positions after driving the preassigned route length, then an exception report will be generated and transmitted back to the dispatcher where appropriate action can take place. If no exception report is generated as the vehicle passes a junction point, then the mileage counter is reset to zero and the process continues again until the mileage counter has accumulated mileage equivalent to the known route mileage for the new segment. At that time the present vehicle position will be again compared to the positions located at the new circle surrounding the new junction point. The above description focuses on determination of out-of-route-mileage by dividing the preassigned route into manageable route segments of known length, however it may also be desirable to transmit to the vehicle intermediate points such as state line crossings, toll road entrances, toll road exits, cargo pickup points, cargo drop off points, etc. These points could be used as endpoints of line segments or as intermediate points. As intermediate points they would not necessarily be at a known distance from a previous point but would serve to provide valuable information by comparing the current position signal with a set of predetermined acceptable position signals disposed about each of these intermediate points. If a current position signal matches with an acceptable position in the circle of acceptable positions for the first expected intermediate point, then thereafter, the current position signal will be compared with the set of acceptable positions corresponding to the next intermediate point and so on throughout the series of intermediate points.

Claims: A system for monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage of a truck comprising: means (138) at a first location (132) for transmitting signals corresponding to geographic coordinates to the truck (122) at a position distant from the first location (132); means (124,126) on board the truck (122) for: receiving the said signals; generating in response to the said signals and without driver action areas of acceptable truck positions; providing a position signal corresponding to the current position of the truck (122); comparing without driver action the current position represented by the position signal with a set of the acceptable truck positions; generating without driver action an exception report if the current position signal does not represent an acceptable truck position within the said set; and transmitting exception reports to the first location (132); and means (138) at the first location (132) for receiving exception reports on a real-time basis. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (124,126) on board the truck (122) includes means (200) for generating in response to the received signals route rectangles indicative of areas surrounding road segments to be travelled; and for comparing the position represented by the position signal with a set of predetermined acceptable positions within a route rectangle. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (138) at the first location (132) is adapted to transmit signals to the truck (122) corresponding to the geographic coordinates representing the endpoints of each of one or more route segments of a route together with a predetermined length for each route segment; and in that the means (124,126) on board the truck (122) includes means (200) for: generating an area of acceptable positions disposed around the endpoints; providing an accumulated mileage signal corresponding to the accumulated mileage the vehicle has traversed; and comparing the current position signal with the area of acceptable positions after the accumulated mileage signal has reached the predetermined route length for the route segment. A method of monitoring and reporting out-of-route mileage of a truck, comprising the steps of: transmitting (138) from a first location (132) signals corresponding to geographic coordinates to the truck (122) at a position distant from the first location (132); receiving (126) at the truck (122) the said signals; generating on board the truck (122) in response to the received signals and without driver action areas of acceptable truck positions; providing on board the truck (122) a position signal corresponding to the current position of the truck (122); comparing on board the truck (122) and without driver action the current position represented by the position signal with a set of predetermined acceptable truck positions; generating on board the truck (122) and without driver action an exception report if the current position signal does not represent an acceptable truck position within the said set; transmitting (126) an exception report from the truck (122) to the first location (132); and receiving (138) exception reports at the first location (132) on a real-time basis. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the step of transmitting (138) signals from the first location (132) is preceded by determining, at the first location, a specific route from a predetermined origin to a predetermined destination; and the step of generating areas of acceptable truck positions comprises generating route rectangles indicative of areas surrounding road segments to be travelled based on the signals from the first location, wherein the rectangles define a plurality of acceptable positions. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the step of transmitting (138) signals from the first location (132) is preceded by determining, at the first location, a specific route from a predetermined origin to a predetermined destination; and dividing the route into a series of one or more route segments each having a predetermined route length; the steps of transmitting signals from the first location (132) comprising transmitting signals corresponding to the geographic coordinates representing the endpoints of each of the route segments together with the predetermined length for each route segment; the step of generating areas of acceptable truck positions comprises generating an area of acceptable positions disposed around each endpoint; and the comparing step comprises providing an accumulated mileage signal corresponding to the accumulated mileage the vehicle has traversed, and comparing the current position with the acceptable positions after the accumulated mileage signal has reached the predetermined route length for the route segment. A method according to claim 4 or 5 or 6, characterised in that the signals corresponding to geographic coordinates are transmitted from the first location (132) to the truck (122) via a satellite (112), and exception reports are transmitted via the satellite (122).

Inventors: SUTHERLAND DENIS W, SUTHERLAND, DENIS W.
Applicants: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP, ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G05D1
IPC codes: G08G1