Auto monitor

• US 20030187557A1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen W. Shockley
• Original Assignee: Stephen W. Shockley
• Inventors: Shockley, Stephen W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,061,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/39
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence

Abstract

An automobile diagnostic system monitors in real-time sub-system components. The system has a plurality of acoustic and video sensors in combination for audibly detecting and visually monitoring critical noise levels and/or vibrations in sub-systems such as brakes, shocks, universal joints, exhaust and transmission systems, etc. Each combination sensor is attached a particular sub-system component for monitoring. The data is recorded on a (VCR) system for visual identification and the recording transmitted to a television and Video Cassette. A control panel has a series of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and audible alarms as respective visual and audible alert indicators of tuned frequencies for a particular sub-system component.

Claims

1. An automobile monitoring system, comprising:

at least one sensor module having a first and second sensors for detecting at least one pair of respective first and second signals generated by a respective component automobile subsystem;

a control circuit for controlling said at least one first and second input signal representative of at least one characteristic of said component automobile subsystem;

said at least one first signal being characteristically distinct and different from said at least one second signal;

means for selectively generating an output signal of said at least one first and second input signals;

means for storing data from said at least one first and second input signals of said at least one subsystem component from the automobile; and

means for indicating a characteristic condition of said at least one first or second input signals.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first sensor is an audio sensor.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said second sensor is a video sensor.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said first signal is an audio signal and second signal is a video signal.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said at least one indicator means comprises a video receiver and monitor.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one indicator means and said storage means are a combination television receiver, monitor, and VCR.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising a multiplexer connected within said combination television receiver, monitor, and VCR for providing serial signal inputs thereto.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit for controlling said at least one first and second input signal representative of at least one characteristic of said component automobile subsystem and said means for selectively generating an output signal of said at least one first and second input signals is a control panel having a control switch for selecting a desired pair of said at least first and second input signals.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said first signal is an audio signal and said second signal is a video signal.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one indicator means is an audio alert amplifier having a tuned frequency corresponding to a particular subsystem component for alerting the operator of a signal indicating defective operation of said component.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said at least one indicator means is an alert LED having a tuned frequency corresponding to a particular subsystem component for alerting the operator of a signal indicating defective operation of said component.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one indicator means and said storage means is a combination television receiver, monitor, and VCR.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising means for reducing signal noise between said at least one pair of said first and second input signals and a respective pair of another signals from said at least one first and second input signals, said means comprising twisted pair cables for carrying each pair of first and second input signals between said corresponding sensor modules, said control panel and said television receiver.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor module further comprises a magnetic portion for magnetically attaching to a subsystem component.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said sensor module further comprises a mechanical fastener for attaching to a subsystem component.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said mechanical fastener is a C-clamp.

17. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensor modules connected with a corresponding plurality of control circuits for transmitting corresponding pairs of said first and second signals to said means for indicating a characteristic condition of a said sub-system and said means for storing data.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said plurality of sensor modules are mounted at a respective plurality of subsystem components including brakes, shock absorbers, universal joints, exhaust, and transmission systems.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said system is mounted within the central portion of the dashboard of the automobile.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein said system is mounted within the central portion of the dashboard of the automobile and said at least one sensor module is mounted so as to monitor a child seat and the child seated therein.