Motor vehicle data collection device
AssigneeAccutek Industries, Inc.
InventorsShawn F. McCrery, Thomas A. Seim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention includes a device for collecting travel-related data for a motor vehicle. The usage data includes such data as a start time and date of a trip, a beginning odometer reading, a category code indicating the purpose of the trip, a sub-category code further indicating the purpose of a trip, and maintenance information for the vehicle. Data collection begins when the ignition system of the vehicle is activated. The invention includes means for downloading the collected data to an external device, such as a microcomputer.
Claims21
A device for collecting usage data for a motor vehicle having an ignition system activated for starting and deactivated for stopping the engine of the vehicle, the device comprising:
- means for generating a distance travelled pulse for each incremental distance of travel;
- means for generating a clock signal;
- ignition detection means responsive to the activation of the ignition system for generating a vehicle on signal and responsive to the deactivation of the ignition system for generating a vehicle off signal;
- memory means for storing trip record data including an initial odometer reading and a trip start time and for storing a current odometer reading;
- processor means connected to the memory means, the processor means including:
- means for generating a trip start time from the clock signal upon receipt of the vehicle on signal,
- means for determining an initial odometer reading from the current odometer reading upon receipt of the vehicle on signal,
- means for updating the current odometer reading, in accordance with a number of the distance travelled pulses received after receipt of the vehicle on signal, and
- means for storing in the memory means the trip record data including the initial odometer reading and the trip start time,
- means for directly connecting the device to an external microcomputer, and
- means for downloading the stored trip record data to the external microcomputer.
A method for collecting usage data for a motor vehicle having an ignition system activated for starting deactivated for stopping the engine of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a distance travelled pulse for each incremental distance of travel;
- generating a clock signal;
- generating a vehicle on signal responsive to the activation of the ignition system;
- generating a vehicle off signal responsive to the deactivation of the ignition system;
- storing trip record data including an initial odometer reading and a trip start time in a memory;
- generating a trip start time from the clock signal upon receipt of the vehicle on signal;
- determining an initial odometer reading from the current odometer reading upon receipt of the vehicle on signal;
- updating the current odometer reading in accordance with a number of the distance travelled pulses received upon receipt of the vehicle on signal and receipt of the vehicle off signal;
- connecting the device directly to an external microcomputer;
- and downloading the stored trip record data to the external microcomputer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.