Industry InduStne Canada Canada I~I~II~II~qIAIIIIIIIAI~Ipl~ll~
IIII
~IPO OPIC 00121364 Our File 19611 CA-INC (5500452) PETITION FOR GRANT OF A PATENT
The applicant, REIMER TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC., whose complete address is Suite 2900, 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 3K8, telephone 204-958-5304, Canada, requests the grant of a patent for an invention, entitled Transportation Communication System, which is described and claimed in the accompanying specification.
The inventors are FRASER, Michael A., whose complete address is 295 Dromore Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3M OJ1, Canada; WAREING, Richard T., whose complete address is 154 Lake Grove Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 4Y2, Canada; and KROPLA, William C., whose complete address is 1205 Grant Avenue, Apt. 614, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3M 1 Z3, Canada, and the applicant owns in Canada the whole interest in the invention.
The applicant requests priority in respect of the application on the basis of the following previously regularly filed application:
The applicant appoints AIKINS, Ma,cAut.~Y & THORVALDSON, whose complete address in Canada is 30~' Floor - 360 Main Street, Winnipeg, Mb, R3C 4G1, telephone 204-957-0050, fax 204-957-0840, Canada, as the applicant's patent agent.
The applicant believes that the applicant is entitled to claim status as a "small entity" as defined under section 2 of the Patent Rules.
The applicant requests that Figure No. 1 of the drawings accompany the abstract when it is open to public inspection under section 10 of the Patent Act or published.
SIGNED at Winnipeg, Manitoba this 10t" day of June, 2003.
REIM RrTECHNOLOGY G,RP~UP INC.
:> l I:
,.
Per /r Ai ins, Ma~Aulay &~horvaldson Patent Agents for the Applicant /I rh TRANSPORTATION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system and method for transmitting data between a vehicle and a host system using a wireless mobile transportation communication system.
BACKGROUND
In the long haul segment of the transportation industry, vehicle operators service large areas that require being away from the depot for several weeks at a time. As a result, long delays in returning paperwork often occur leading to significant process complications for the back office systems. For example, complications can arise due to delays in billing cycles, disputed invoices, disputed hours and lost revenue. A further complication in long haul transportation is the addition or deletion of loads on running orders. Any changes must be communicated to the vehicle operator in order to make adequate arrangements for pickups, drop offs, maintenance and fuel purchases. In the event of weather related changes in road conditions or changes in traffic conditions, communication with the vehicle operator is essential to make route corrections to avoid costly delays. Therefore, the benefit of an effective wireless communication system that allows the transfer of a variety of data types is clear.
There are several, currently implemented communication technologies that attempt to address these connectivity issues. Satellite communications enables global coverage but its high capital cost and restricted bandwidth precludes its use for data intensive applications such as order entry, signature capture and real time shipment tracking. FM sub-carrier methods provide wide area coverage and are cheaper than satellite, but bandwidth is still restricted. Analog cellular phone technologies provide narrower geographical coverage than satellite, with similar
-2-bandwidth restrictions.
Regardless of cost, existing technologies are deficient because they lack functionality due mainly to bandwidth constraints. Moreover, none of these technologies provide a standardized interface to the world. The solution of each service provider consists of a proprietary hardware and software interface.
Communication to backend office systems is based on loosely coupled messaging between a remote unit and the backend. Complex data entry functions that allow real-time error checking are generally not available, while vehicle operator communication is limited to three or four scheduled dispatches per day.
A cost effective wireless broadband communications system that provides integration of backend transportation management, geographic asset tracking and location based services is needed.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wireless mobile transportation communication system for transmitting data between a vehicle carried mobile system and a host system using a wireless communications network, wherein the host system comprises a host system database, and the mobile system comprises:
a mobile data communications device (MDC) with a mobile database and a keyboard data entry device for the manual entry of user data into the mobile database;
a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to determine geographic positional data of the vehicle and delivering the geographic positional data to the MDC
for entry into the mobile database;
means for powering the MDC and the GPS receiver from a power system of the vehicle; and
-3-means responsive to activation of the mobile system for establishing communication between the mobile and host systems over the communications network and for synchronizing the mobile and host system databases.
The MDC receives data input from a user through the keyboard data entry device, and from the GPS receiver. The MDC provides a means for storage of data and controlling transmission of data to the host system over the wireless communications network. The host system is a computer accessible from the wireless communications network.
The MDC is most conveniently a personal digital assistant (PDA) with wireless communication capability. This provides an advantage over the prior art due to it being mobile, robust, cost effective, providing for keyboard input, and being programmable to provide the validation of data entered locally and the synchronization of the mobile and host system databases. It is also programmable to provide the mobile user with a seamless interaction with the MDC. Thus, where the mobile system is not within the coverage range of the communications network, the PDA validates data locally and holds it for later transmission. The mobile system detects the presence of network coverage automatically so that when it comes back into coverage, it will establish communication with the host system and synchronize the mobile and host system databases.
A serial communication port on the PDA allows connection to a GPS
receiver and an external power supply. There is no system comprised of a PDA, modem, GPS receiver and power supply currently available.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for transmitting data between a vehicle carried mobile system and a host system using a wireless communications network, wherein:
the host system comprises a host system database; and
-4-the mobile system comprises:
a mobile data communications device (MDC) with a mobile database and a keyboard data entry device for the manual entry of user data into the mobile database;
a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to determine geographic positional data of the vehicle and delivering the geographic positional data to the MDC for entry into the mobile database;
means for powering the MDC and the GPS receiver from a power system of the vehicle; and means responsive to activation of the mobile system for establishing communication between the mobile and host systems over the communications network and for synchronizing the mobile and host system databases, the method comprising:
performing a security login to the MDC;
establishing a wireless connection and initiating synchronization between the MDC and the host system in response to the MDC detecting that it is in an area of coverage of the wireless communications network;
synchronizing the databases of the MDC and the host system when a wireless connection is established;
requesting new data input for transmission to the host system;
receiving data for transmission from keyboard of the MDC and the GPS
receiver;
detecting whether wireless connection is still established;
transmitting data to the host system when the wireless connection is established;
-5-storing data to the database of the MDC when the wireless connection is not established;
re-establishing a wireless connection following a period during which no connection is present;
retrieving stored data for transmission to the host system following re-establishment of said wireless connection.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination cable for providing power and serial communications to a GPS
receiver from a PDA, the cable comprising first and second serial connectors for connection to respective serial ports on the PDA and the GPS receiver and a power connector for engaging a vehicle cigarette lighter socket.
This system thus provides a high bandwidth link from a computing device in the vehicle to a backend transportation management system on a host system. Another advantage of the system is its ability to deliver geographical position data and to serve as a platform for location based services. A further advantage of the system is the use of primarily off-the-shelf components. This dramatically reduced the cost of designing and building the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the wireless mobile transportation communication system;
Figure 2 is an illustration of the combination cable that integrates power and serial communications; and Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the basic operational steps of the wireless mobile transportation communication system.
-6-DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a wireless mobile transportation communication system in Figure 1 consisting of a mobile unit 10 and host system 18 on a wireless network. The mobile unit 10 consists of a mobile data communications device (MDC) 11, global position sensor (GPS) receiver 12, a power supply 13, and a specialized combination cable 15. The host system 18 is accessible from a wireless network that receives transmissions 17 from the mobile unit 10.
Power supply 13 provides power to the MDC 11 through the combination cable 15. Preferably, the power supply is the cigarette lighter of the vehicle. The GPS receiver 12 obtains its power through cable 15. Data communication between the GPS receiver and the MDC is provided through the same cable 15.
The GPS receiver 12 receives signals from the GPS satellite system and converts the signals into vehicle position data. The receiver then transmits the position data to the MDC 11 through the combination cable 15 that provides power and serial communications. A software application resident on the MDC
processes the position data for transmission over a wireless network to a host system.
A PDA with keyboard input 11 is an ideal mobile data communications device (MDC). The vehicle operator has the ability to deliver text messages to the head office. In addition, back-end office applications would be available to the vehicle operator. This would allow real-time access to both the vehicle operator and head office of a variety of reports, for example, maintenance schedules, manifests, route tracing, and time sheets. Any modifications could be transmitted in real-time for approval.
Figure 2 depicts the combination cable 15 of Figure 1 that integrates
-7-power and serial communications. The combination cable consists of a power connector 21, an 18-pin connector 22, and a conventional 9-pin DB9 serial connector 23. The power connector 21 connects to the cigarette lighter of a vehicle.
Five of the available pins on connector 22 are used for the power connector. Connector 22 connects to a serial port on the PDA for supplying power to and serial communications with the GPS receiver via connector 23.
Referring to Figure 3, there is a flowchart depicting the basic operational steps of the system. After power up 30 of the communication system, the system will prompt the vehicle operator to perform a security login process 31 for user authentication. Once the vehicle operator has been identified as an authorized user, the system checks for stored data 32 that may not have been uploaded to the host system before the last power shutdown. Subsequently, the system determines whether the MDC is in an area of wireless communication coverage 33 for synchronization of the local and host databases. If a wireless connection is established, the local database residing on the PDA will synchronize 34 with that of the host system. This process can include the uploading of data, downloading of data or both. If a wireless connection cannot be established, the system will retain the stored data for later processing.
Whether wireless communication can be established or not 33, the system allows new data input 35. This provides a seamless user interface for the vehicle operator as he or she enters and exits areas of wireless communication. If the vehicle operator has no new data to input, the system enters into a standby mode 36 until it is triggered into action. However, if there is new data to be input, the system waits 37 for the user's input. Once the vehicle operator enters all relevant data, the system validates the input to ensure data integrity, format, and completeness.
In the event of any errors 38, the system will re-prompt the user for valid data.
When the
8 system is satisfied that the data entry is valid 39, it will determine if it is still in an area of wireless communication coverage 40. If the system is out of a coverage area, the new data entry is queued 44 for later transmission and enters the standby mode. If the system is in a coverage area, the data is sent 41 to the host system via the wireless network and waits for a response. If the host receives the data without error 42, it displays a successful transaction message, updates its records of the successful transaction, and enters the standby mode until further activation. If the host system finds errors in the transmitted data 43, it will relay a message to the mobile system for the user to enter required corrections. Re-entry of data will require the system to recheck for wireless coverage in the area.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a GPS
driver resides on the MDC to facilitate communication between a GPS receiver and a BlackberryTM PDA device.
The GPS driver is responsible for the acquisition, parsing, storage of all telemetry data as well as queuing the appropriate telemetry readings for transmission.
The GPS driver expects a NMEA 0183 compliant GPS receiver to be attached to the serial port of the RIM 5810 BlackberryT"" handheld.
Seria! communication with the GPS receiver occurs at a speed of 4800bps. The driver assumes no flow control is supported on the GPS receiver and has error recovery code in place to re-initialize the serial port should any occur.
The GPS driver utilizes two NMEA GPS messages: GPRMC and GPGSV. It parses the GPRMC message in order to acquire longitude, latitude, ground speed as well as the time and date related to the reading. The GPGSV
message is parsed to determine the number of satellites which are currently being used to fix the currently displayed location. Checksums associated with all parsed NMEA messages are verified and the entire message rejected should any message _g_ fail this integrity check.
After messages are parsed and the telemetry extracted, the telemetry data is then stored in a storage buffer for later retrieval. In addition, the telemetry data may be also added to a secondary transmission buffer.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.