Data processor in automobiles

For use in a processor-based control system associated with a vehicle, said vehicle having sensors generating signals representative of prescribed conditions of the vehicle, a data handling system comprising:

• an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory;
• means, coupled to said electrically erasable and programmable read only memory and said sensors, for generating data indicative of a condition of said vehicle in response to signals generated by said sensors and causing said data to be written into said electrically erasable and programmable read only memory;
• a control switch, the operation of which governs the operation of said data handling system, wherein said means for generating data comprises means for causing said data to be written into said memory in response to the turning-off of said control switch;
• switching means for controlling the supply of power for said electrically erasable and programmable read only memory;
• and
• control means, coupled to said switch means and responsive to the operation of said control switch, for causing said switching means to supply power to said electrically erasable and programmable read only memory for a prescribed period of time subsequent to the turning-off of said control switch after which prescribed period of time the supply of power to said memory is cut off.