Vehicle security and maintenance
First Claim
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1. 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; and
d) transmitting said location to a central control.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a vehicle location when electrical power supplied to an onboard vehicle computer is removed, comprising:
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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; and
d) transmitting said location to a central control. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13)
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10. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle location when electrical power supplied to an onboard vehicle computer is removed, comprising:
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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.
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14. A method of scheduling vehicle maintenance, comprising:
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a) comparing a vehicle mileage to a predetermined mileage required for maintenance;
b) comparing a number of hours of vehicle operation to a predetermined number of hours of vehicle operation;
c) providing an indication that maintenance is required when said vehicle mileage exceeds said predetermined mileage or when said number of hours of vehicle operation to exceeds said predetermined number of hours of vehicle operation;
d) identifying a location of the vehicle; and
e) providing directions to a maintenance facility that is near said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An apparatus for scheduling vehicle maintenance, comprising:
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a) an onboard vehicle computer programmed to compare a vehicle mileage to a predetermined mileage required for maintenance and to compare a number of hours of vehicle operation to a predetermined number of hours of vehicle operation;
b) a display coupled to said computer for providing an indication that maintenance is required when said vehicle mileage exceeds said predetermined mileage or when said number of hours of vehicle operation exceeds said predetermined number of hours of vehicle operation; and
c) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for identifying a location of the vehicle, said computer being programmed to provide directions to a maintenance facility that is near said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification