AUTOMOBILE MONITORING FOR OPERATION ANALYSIS

• US 20160163124A1
• Filed: 02/09/2016
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toronto-Dominion Bank
• Original Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W Incorporated
• Inventors: Crawford, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,388,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0875 using magnetic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

An automobile monitoring arrangement tracks and records automobile operation for post-use automobile operation analysis and in a manner with default-operation modes that facilitate use by automobile owners/supervisors and by those supervised by the automobile owners/supervisors. In one specific embodiment, sounds from the vehicle are monitored while the vehicle is in operation. A sound type is identified as corresponding to the sounds, and a sound level of the sound types are determined. The sound level is compared to a threshold for the sound type, and a vehicle supervisor is notified when the sound level exceeds the sound level threshold for the sound type.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring operation of a vehicle, the method comprising:

obtaining vehicle data in real time as the vehicle is moving using a plurality of sensors included in the vehicle;

transmitting the vehicle data to a central site;

analyzing the vehicle data to create a vehicle operation profile;

comparing the vehicle data to one or more thresholds; and

providing an indicator that a portion of the vehicle is ready for maintenance based on the vehicle data exceeding one or more of the threshold and the vehicle operation profile.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling a vehicle supervisor status assigned to the vehicle by a vehicle supervisor via an interface remote from the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining and transmitting steps are performed when the vehicle supervisor status is enabled.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes vehicle operation data indicative of how the vehicle is being driven.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the vehicle operation data includes at least one of speed and acceleration of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes vehicle characteristic data indicative of a mechanical state of one or more portions of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the vehicle characteristic data includes at least engine revolutions per minute and suspension system data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes vehicle sound types and vehicle sound levels recorded using a microphone included in the vehicle, wherein the vehicle sound types include engine roar and braking sounds.

9. A system for monitoring operation of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a computerized recording instrument comprising a memory, a processor and a communication interface for;

obtaining vehicle operation data in real time as the vehicle is moving using a plurality of sensors included in the vehicle, and

transmitting the vehicle data to a central site; and

a server system located at the central site for;

receiving the vehicle data obtained from the computerized recording instrument;

analyzing the vehicle data to create a vehicle operation profile;

comparing the vehicle data to one or more thresholds; and

providing an indicator that a portion of the vehicle is ready for maintenance based on the vehicle data exceeding one or more of the threshold and the vehicle operation profile.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the server system is further configured for remotely enabling the computerized recording instrument.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the computerized recording instrument is configured for processing the vehicle operation data.