Telematics System, Methods and Apparatus for Two-way Data Communication Between Vehicles in a Fleet and a Fleet Management System

摘要

Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to the OBD II port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.

主权项

1. A system for controlling the operational mode of vehicles in a vehicle fleet comprising:
a plurality of fleet vehicles, each including a telematics control unit, said telematics control unit including a processor to execute computer readable code embedded on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, a connection to the OBD II port of the vehicle to enable the control unit to receive vehicle sensor data and actuate a plurality of vehicle devices, a connection to a vehicle access device, and a cellular modem enabling transmission of vehicle data and receipt of programming via cellular networks; a fleet management system including a processor for receiving data from fleet vehicle telematics control units, associating each telematics unit and the data received therefrom with a specific fleet vehicle, and transmitting vehicle specific programming to the telematics control units; an application module associated with the fleet management system enabling the selection of an operational mode for a fleet vehicle from a plurality of available operational vehicle modes, each mode associated with different telematics control unit programming, wherein selection of a vehicle operational mode causes the fleet management system to transmit programming associated with the selected operational mode from the management system to the telematics control unit of the selected fleet vehicle such that the vehicle and its telematics control unit may be operated in accordance with such operational mode.