Resettable motor vehicle maintenance interval monitor by operating time

• US 20050024195A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoon Bai
• Original Assignee: Hoon Bai
• Inventors: Bai, Hoon
• Granted Patent: US 7,129,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/003 of rotating machines G01H1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A vehicle maintenance interval monitoring system designed to alert the motor vehicle'"'"'s operator of performing preventive maintenances when a vehicle operation time is reached to a certain predetermined set points. The monitoring system uses operation time of the vehicle instead of mileage as maintenance scheduling interval. The present invention consists of a microprocessor, input/output port, display unit, vibration sensor, RF antenna and battery as power source. The microprocessor has a EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), Flash memory, and a main processor. Using input/output port, various information including vehicle information and set points are transmitted to the device and stored in the EEPROM by a computer in the service station. Main processor performs various functions programmed into the Flash memory. The present invention has a vibration sensor and RF antenna that is connected with the microprocessor. This vibration sensor detects vibration and RF antenna get signal when the vehicle engine is on and activates a predetermined number of counters stored in the microprocessor. The operation time of the vehicle is stored in the EEPROM for each preventive service. In operation, the microprocessor generates various maintenance alert signals when accumulated times reach to the predefined set points.

Claims

1. A maintenance monitor device for use with a vehicle having a power jack, said device comprising:

a housing having a plurality of light emitting diodes formed thereon;

a processing unit for processing a predetermined set of functions;

a memory connected with the processing unit for storing information regarding operation of the vehicle and for storing information regarding a plurality of maintenance service requirements;

a display unit disposed on said housing connected to the microprocessor;

an adapter formed on said housing unit connected to the processing unit; and

,

said adapter formed to connect to the power jack of said vehicle.

2. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 1 further comprising a communication port for connection to a computer.

3. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 1 wherein said memory stores a predetermined number of counters, each counter corresponding to a predetermined maintenance service requirement to be monitored by said device;

whereby said counters update and save data in the memory when the vehicle is in operation.

4. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes formed on said housing corresponding to said predetermined number of counters stored in said memory.

5. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 4 wherein when one of the counters in the memory hits a predetermined number that is related to a specific maintenance service requirement, the processing unit transmits a signal to activate a corresponding appropriate one of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

6. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 1 further comprising a vibration sensor and a radio frequency antenna unit disposed on the housing;

said vibration sensor and radio frequency antenna unit connected to the processing unit.

7. A maintenance monitor device for use with a vehicle, said device comprising:

a housing having a display unit formed thereon;

a power supply unit disposed in said housing;

a processing unit for processing a predetermined set of functions;

a display unit disposed on said housing connected to the microprocessor;

a memory connected with the processing unit for storing information regarding operation of the vehicle and for storing information regarding a plurality of maintenance service requirements; and

,

a vibration sensor disposed on said housing unit connected to the processing unit.

8. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 7 further comprising a communication port for connection to a computer.

9. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 7 wherein said memory stores a predetermined number of counters, each counter corresponding to a predetermined maintenance service requirement to be monitored by said device;

whereby said counters update and save data in the memory when the vehicle is in operation.

10. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 7 wherein said display unit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes formed on said housing corresponding to said predetermined number of counters stored in said memory.

11. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 10 wherein when one of the counters in the memory hits a predetermined number that is related to a specific maintenance service requirement, the processing unit transmits a signal to activate a corresponding appropriate one of said plurality of light emitting diodes formed on the housing.

12. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 9 further comprising a radio frequency antenna unit connected to the processing unit.

13. A maintenance monitor device for use with a computer and with a vehicle having a power jack, said device comprising:

a housing having a plurality of light emitting diodes formed thereon;

a processing unit for processing a predetermined set of functions;

a memory connected with the processing unit for storing information regarding operation of the vehicle and for storing information regarding a plurality of maintenance service requirements;

a display unit disposed on said housing connected to the microprocessor;

a communication port formed on said housing for connection to said computer;

an adapter formed on said housing unit connected to the processing unit;

said adapter formed to connect to the power jack of said vehicle;

wherein said memory stores a predetermined number of counters, each counter corresponding to a predetermined maintenance service requirement to be monitored by said device; and

,

whereby said counters update and save data in the memory when the vehicle is in operation.

14. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 13 wherein said display unit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes formed on said housing corresponding to said predetermined number of counters stored in said memory.

15. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 14 wherein when one of the counters in the memory hits a predetermined number that is related to a specific maintenance service requirement, the processing unit transmits a signal to activate a corresponding appropriate one of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

16. A maintenance monitor device as described in claim 13 further comprising a vibration sensor and a radio frequency antenna unit disposed on the housing;

said vibration sensor and radio frequency antenna unit connected to the processing unit.