System, Method and Odometer Monitor for Detecting Connectivity Status of Mobile Data Terminal to Vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle tracking device connectable to a vehicle information bus of a vehicle and operable to receive odometer update values from the vehicle via said bus;
a vehicle identity module in the vehicle tracking device for storing an identification of the vehicle;
a mobile data terminal connected to the vehicle tracking device and operable to receive odometer update values from the vehicle tracking device; and
a preset maximum distance defined in said mobile data terminal;
said mobile data terminal being operable to;
detect a series of timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal;
receive an odometer update value from the vehicle tracking device corresponding to each poll event;
verify that a last and a penultimate of said odometer update values are from the vehicle;
calculate a distance between the last and penultimate odometer update values; and
make a determination of connectivity status of said mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether the distance is greater than or less than the preset maximum distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An odometer monitor for monitoring the connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle is a module defined in a data processor of the mobile data terminal. The monitor is operable to detect successive timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal and listen for arrival of corresponding odometer update values from a vehicle tracking device connected to an information bus of the vehicle. Successive odometer updates are compared to calculate the distances travelled between updates, and to make a determination of connectivity status of the mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether or not the calculated distances are above or below a preset maximum distance. The odometer monitor can verify whether the mobile data terminal remains connected to the same vehicle by checking a vehicle identity module, which may be located in the vehicle tracking device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle tracking device connectable to a vehicle information bus of a vehicle and operable to receive odometer update values from the vehicle via said bus; a vehicle identity module in the vehicle tracking device for storing an identification of the vehicle; a mobile data terminal connected to the vehicle tracking device and operable to receive odometer update values from the vehicle tracking device; and a preset maximum distance defined in said mobile data terminal; said mobile data terminal being operable to; detect a series of timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal; receive an odometer update value from the vehicle tracking device corresponding to each poll event; verify that a last and a penultimate of said odometer update values are from the vehicle; calculate a distance between the last and penultimate odometer update values; and make a determination of connectivity status of said mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether the distance is greater than or less than the preset maximum distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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8. A method for monitoring connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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defining a preset maximum distance in a mobile data terminal connectable to a vehicle; detecting a series of timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal; receiving an odometer update value from a vehicle tracking device corresponding to each poll event; verifying that a last and a penultimate of said odometer update values are from the vehicle; calculating a distance between the last and penultimate odometer update values; and making a determination of connectivity status of said mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether the distance is greater than or less than the preset maximum distance.
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15. One or more non-transitory computer readable media comprising computer readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor cause a mobile data terminal in a vehicle to:
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define a preset maximum distance; detect a series of timed poll events; receive an odometer update value from a vehicle tracking device corresponding to each poll event; verify that a last and a penultimate of said odometer update values are from the vehicle; calculate a distance between the last and penultimate odometer update values; and make a determination of connectivity status of said mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether the distance is greater than or less than the preset maximum distance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification