User adaptive automated pre-trip inspection system

• US 20060069475A1
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Gutierrez, Francisco A., Carlstrom, Kevin R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,263,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A plurality of automated vehicle inspection routines are provided keyed by user identification. Implementation relies on presence of a programmable computer installed on the vehicle with user input/output interfaces through which a user may enter user identification. Once entered the computer matches the user to an inspection routine, which may be customized to the particular individual, or which may apply to a class of users.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising:

an onboard computer with a user input/output interface;

a controller area network coupled to the onboard computer;

a plurality of sensors providing vehicle condition related signals over the controller area network to the onboard computer;

a program for execution on the onboard computer, the program including program means for receiving input of user identification through the input/output interface and further program means for categorizing the user as being one of at least two distinct types for an inspection regimen; and

an inspection database accessible by the onboard computer, the inspection database including tuples identifying vehicle components for inspection and indicating a user classification for making the inspection; and

the program including program means prompting inspection by the user of vehicle components from the inspection database based on the user classification.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

the inspection database including a field for each tuple indicating inspection frequency; and

means generating a timestamped database for each completed inspection indicating results.

3. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

an inspection database field indicating intervals between inspection of vehicle components; and

program means responsive to an indicated interval for inspection of a vehicle component and a time stamped inspection database for varying inclusion of a vehicle component in an inspection depending upon elapse of the interval.

4. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

the inspection database indicating automatic or manual inspection for each vehicle component.

5. A vehicle inspection system comprising:

a plurality of vehicle components installed on a vehicle, the vehicle components having physical attributes subject to either automated or manual inspection;

an inspection database itemizing physical attributes for inspection and indicating an inspection category for each physical attribute;

means for a user to supply identification;

a computer for receiving the user supplied identification and for storing and accessing the inspection database;

a stored program installed on the computer for execution to identify the user supplied identification with an inspection category; and

an input/output interface through which the stored program computer indicates to the user physical attributes of vehicle components to inspect, selecting such physical attributes as fall in the inspection category associated with the user.

6. A vehicle inspection system as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

the user being prompted to enter results of the inspection into the input/output interface; and

results of the inspection being stored for later retrieval.

7. A vehicle inspection system as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

the inspection database indicating inspection intervals for vehicle component physical attributes.

8. A vehicle inspection system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:

the computer being further programmed to generate result databases identified by user and interval indicating indicia.

9. A vehicle inspection system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the inpsection database further provides that physical attributes indicated for inspection by an inspection category can all be included for inspection by another inspection category.