The TahoSafe product range has been extended with a new add-on product, the TachoSafe Smartcard Hotel, which replaces the individual USB-connected smart card readers used in the digital tachograph remote authentication process.
A custom remote digital tachograph downloading system can be implemented using a simple commercial USB card reader and a company card. However, to service multiple companies / systems, you will need multiple card readers and company cards. The number of USB card readers that can be connected to a computer at the same time is limited by the operating system.
The TachoSafe Smartcard Hotel is a device with 40 separate smart card readers, which can communicate with all 40 built-in readers in parallel using only a single USB port on your computer.
In terms of dimensions, without cards, the device takes up only 31 x 21 x 6 cm and is suitable for desktop or wall installation. To operate, you will need a computer, a USB cable and a 12V 1A power supply – USB cable and power supply is included into package.
The computer recognizes the device as a virtual serial port and a disk drive. The disk drive can be used to support firmware updates and to access communication log files. And through the virtual serial port, we can communicate with the built-in card readers.
How to Use the TachoSafe Smartcard Hotel
Installation
- Connect the power supply and USB cable to your computer
- A built-in disk drive named CARDHOTEL should appear automatically
- Navigate to the Driver directory on this disk
- Right-click the tachosafe_cardhotel.inf file
- Select Install from the context menu
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation
Setup
- Download and install the TachoSafe RDU - Multi Company Manager application
- Launch the application (it will automatically detect the Smartcard Hotel)
- Insert company cards into the reader units
- Assign each card to its corresponding company
Troubleshooting
If the device isn't working properly, check Device Manager to verify recognition:
Problem: The TachoSafe Card Hotel appears under "Other devices"
Solution: This indicates the driver wasn't installed successfully. Follow the Installation steps above.
Once properly installed, the device should appear correctly in Device Manager and function normally.
