Data recording and display system

An apparatus to controllably sense, record, and selectively display data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine in accordance with a plurality of selectable operating modes, comprising:

• a programmable logic device;
• a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to said programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters;
• a storage device connected to said programmable logic device;
• a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device;
• and,
• wherein said plurality of selectable operating modes include:
• a cumulative mode wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and are controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce first information signals that are delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a first predetermined period;
• an instantaneous mode wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and are controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce second information signals that are controllably delivered to said local display device;
• and,
• an intermittent mode wherein said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals are optionally further selectively and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce a third predetermined set of information signals that are delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.

A method for controllably sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine having a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to a programmable logic device and adapted to produce parameter signals in response to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters, and having a storage device connected to said programmable logic device and a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device, comprising the steps of:

• controllably manipulating said parameter signals to produce first and second predetermined sets of information signals;
• delivering said first predetermined set of information signals to said storage device and individually accumulating said first predetermined set of information signals in said storage device during a first predetermined period;
• controllably delivering preselected ones of said second predetermined set of information signals to said local display device;
• selectively and controllably manipulating said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals to produce a third predetermined set of information signals;
• and,
• delivering said third predetermined set of information signals to said storage device and individually accumulating said third predetermined set of information signals in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.