Mobile computing device for fleet telematics

Abstract

A mobile computing device for fleet telematics including a display and a controller configured to present at least one telematics application to a user. In an embodiment, the application is a verified inspection application, and the device includes an RF coil for an RFID reader that extends along a perimeter of the device. In a related embodiment, the device includes an indicator light disposed along a perimeter, generally adjacent to the RF coil, the indicator light providing a user an indication of how to orient the device in order to enable the RF coil to interact with an RFID tag. The device can be configured so the indicator light is only enabled when the inspection application is running. The device can include a flashlight and/or a digital camera, where the device is similarly programmed such that the flashlight and/or camera can only be enabled when the inspection application is running.

The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following: 
     
         1 . An accessory display for use in a vehicle to provide feedback to a driver during operation of the vehicle, the accessory display comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a data port for importing feedback data;   (c) a screen upon which the driver feedback data can be presented; and   (d) an RFID card reader enabling a driver to use an RFID card to uniquely identify himself.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , further comprising a graphical element on the housing indicating where the driver should present the RFID card to be read. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , further comprising a user input mechanism, permitting a user to make selections on said display. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory display of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanism is in the form of the screen being a touch screen. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein an initial display screen, shown upon the accessory display first being activated, shows driver feedback on a first portion of the display. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory display of  claim 5 , further wherein the screen is a touch screen and wherein when the user touches the first portion of the display, further information regarding the driver feedback is shown. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , further being in the form of a tablet computer, adapted to communicate with the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory display of  claim 7 , wherein the tablet computer is adapted to communicate with the vehicle by being docked to a docking station that is part of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein when first activated the driver feedback is a goal derived from previous driving sessions of the driver uniquely identified by the RFID card. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein during a driving session, the driver feedback includes contemporaneous display of events that represent negative driver behavior. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein events that represent negative driver behavior include hard braking. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein events that represent negative driver behavior include idling for a time period above a threshold amount of time. 
     
     
         13 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein events that represent negative driver behavior include excessive speed events. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory display of  claim 1 , wherein events that represent negative driver behavior include hard cornering events. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory display of  claim 10 , wherein each contemporaneous display of an event that represents negative driver behavior is accompanied by an advisory indicating if the event will be reported to the driver's employer. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory display of  claim 10 , wherein the display has a range of modes, many of which are driving modes, that is modes that are permitted to be used while driving and wherein driver feedback is displayed on a portion of the screen for every driving mode. 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing feedback to a driver, comprising:
 (a) providing an accessory display for use in a vehicle, the accessory display comprising:
 (i) a housing; 
 (ii) a data port for importing feedback data; 
 (iii) a screen upon which the driver feedback data can be presented; and 
 (iv) an RFID card reader enabling a driver to use an RFID card to uniquely identify himself; 
   (b) reading an RFID card, thereby identifying a driver;   (c) accessing feedback for the driver, based on the driver identification.   (d) displaying the feedback for the driver on the screen.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein directly after reading the RFID card a goal for the driver, based on past driving, is accessed and displayed. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein after the goal has been displayed, events representing negative driver behavior are displayed contemporaneously with event occurrence. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each display of an event representing negative driver behavior is accompanied by an indication of whether that event will be reported to the driver's employer.