Car management system and associated printer

• US 20050086063A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 1/00 Machines for printing and issuing tickets printing mechanisms per se B41; output mechanisms of digital computers G06C11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 13/02 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 7/00 Details or accessories common to the registering or indicating apparatus of groups G07C3/00 and G07C5/00

Abstract

An information retrieval system for retrieving information relating to a conveyance includes a data collecting unit for collecting data relating to operational aspects of the conveyance. A processor communicates with the data collecting unit for processing collected data to provide formatted data suitable for printing. A printing unit, installed in the conveyance, prints the formatted data to provide information relating to the conveyance.

Claims

1. An information retrieval system for retrieving information relating to a conveyance, the system including:

a data collecting means for collecting data relating to operational aspects of the conveyance;

a processing means, in communication with said data collecting means, for processing said collected data to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

a printing unit, installed in said conveyance, for printing said formatted data to provide information relating to said conveyance.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 in which the data collecting means includes a conveyance management sub-system which obtains details of predetermined operating parameters and related information of the conveyance.

3. The system of claim 2 in which the sub-system periodically produces information for viewing by the user without user intervention.

4. The system of claim 2 in which the sub-system includes a user terminal to enable the user to access required information on demand.

5. The system of claim 1 in which the data collecting means includes a location determining unit for determining the location of the conveyance.

8. The system of claim 5 in which the data collecting means further includes a locality data retrieval unit which retrieves data relating to the location in response to the receipt of data from the location determining unit.

9. The system of claim 8 in which the location data retrieval unit comprises a locality information subsystem which provides data relating to an establishment of relevance to a user of the conveyance.

10. The system of claim 1 in which the processing means includes a layout engine in communication with the data collecting means.

11. The system of claim 10 in which the layout engine lays out data elements to be communicated to the printer.

12. The system of claim 11 in which the processing means comprises a data manipulating means in communication with the layout engine for manipulating the data to provide the formatted data.

13. The system of claim 12 in which the printing unit includes a printer controller, for receiving the formatted data to be printed, and a printer.

14. The system of claim 13 in which the printer is a full color printer.

15. The system of claim 14 in which said printer is a photo quality color printer.

16. The system of claim 14 in which the printer is an ink jet printer.

17. The system of claim 16 in which the printer comprises a pagewidth ink jet printhead.

18. The system of claim 17 in which the printhead comprises an array of nozzles, said array being fabricated by microelectromechanical techniques.

6. The system of claim 6 in which the location determining unit provides the location of the conveyance as a set of co-ordinates.

7. The system of claim 7 in which the location determining unit comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

19. A method of retrieving information relating to a conveyance, the method including the steps of:

collecting data relating to operational aspects of the conveyance;

processing said collected data to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

printing said formatted data when required by a user, on a printing unit installed in said conveyance, to provide the user with information relating to said conveyance.

20. The method of claim 19 which includes obtaining details of operating parameters and related information of the conveyance.

21. The method of claim 20 which includes periodically producing information for viewing by the user without user intervention.

22. The method of claim 20 which includes enabling the user to access required information on demand.

23. The method of claim 20 which includes determining the location of the conveyance.

24. The method of claim 23 which includes providing the location of the conveyance as a set of coordinates.

25. The method of claim 19 which includes retrieving data relating to a locality in which the conveyance is located.

26. The method of claim 25 which includes providing data relating to an establishment in the locality which is of relevance to the conveyance.

27. The method of claim 26 which includes laying out data elements to be printed.

28. The method of claim 27 which includes manipulating said data elements prior to printing the data to provide said formatted data.

29. An onboard information retrieval system for retrieving information relating to a vehicle, the system including:

a data collecting means for collecting data relating to operational aspects of the vehicle;

a processing means for processing said collected data to provide formatted data which is in a suitable format for printing; and

an onboard printing unit for printing said formatted data, on demand, to provide information relating to the locality.

30. The system of claim 29 in which the information includes information relating to replenishable items of the vehicle.

31. The system of claim 29 in which the information includes information regarding establishments in a locality in which the vehicle is located which is of use in maintenance of the vehicle.

32. The system of claim 31 in which said establishments include service stations.

33. A method of retrieving information relating to a vehicle, the method including the steps of:

collecting data relating to operating aspects of the vehicle;

processing said collected data to provide formatted data which is in a suitable format for printing; and

printing said formatted data on an onboard printer to provide information relating to the vehicle.

34. The method of claim 33 which includes providing information relating to replenishable items of the vehicle.

35. The method of claim 33 which includes providing information regarding establishments in a locality in which the vehicle is located which is of use in maintenance of the vehicle.

36. The method of claim 33 which includes providing information on the location of service stations in the locality.

37. An onboard information retrieval system for retrieving information relating to a vehicle, the system including:

a vehicle management system for providing information on various operating aspects of the vehicle;

a position sensing means carried by the vehicle for sensing the position of the vehicle in a locality and to provide location data;

a locality data retrieval unit for use in association with the position sensing means and for retrieving predetermined data relating to the locality;

a user terminal, operable by a user to obtain predetermined data;

a layout engine responsive to the user terminal for processing the predetermined data into data elements;

a pre-printing processing means which is connected to the layout engine and which processes the data to provide formatted data which is in a format which is suitable for printing; and

an onboard printer for printing the formatted data, on demand, to provide a hard copy of the information.

38. A method of retrieving information relating to a vehicle, the method including the steps of:

providing information on various operating aspects of the vehicle;

sensing the position of the vehicle in a locality and providing location data;

retrieving predetermined data relating to the locality;

obtaining desired data by means of a user terminal, operable by a user;

processing the predetermined data at least into data elements;

further processing the data to provide formatted data which is in a format which is suitable for printing; and

printing the formatted data, on demand, via an onboard printer to provide a hard copy of the information relating to the vehicle.