Vehicle security and maintenance
AssigneeVolvo Trucks North America, Inc.
InventorDennis A. Borugian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting conditions that indicate unauthorized usage of a vehicle and for responding to the conditions that indicate the vehicle is being used in an unauthorized or unintended way. A vehicle computer is used to monitor conditions of a driver and unintended usage. The computer is also used to respond to conditions that indicate an unauthorized or unintended vehicle usage has occurred.
Claims13
A method of monitoring a vehicle location when electrical power supplied to an onboard vehicle computer is removed, comprising:
- a) determining that a main electrical power supply is not available to the vehicle onboard computer;
- b) activating a battery backup to power the vehicle onboard computer;
- c) determining a location of the vehicle;
- d) transmitting said location to a central control;
- e) providing an indication to said driver that electrical power to the vehicle onboard computer has been removed.
An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle location when electrical power supplied to an onboard vehicle computer is removed, comprising:
- a) an onboard vehicle computer programmed to determine that a main electrical power supply is not available the vehicle onboard computer;
- b) a battery backup coupled to said onboard computer, said computer being programmed to activate said battery backup when said main electrical power supply is not available to said computer;
- c) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the vehicle;
- d) a communications system coupled to said computer for transmitting said location to a central control;
- and
- e) a display coupled to said computer for providing an indication to said driver that electrical power to the vehicle onboard computer has been removed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.