Machine operation indicating system and method
First Claim
1. A system for indicating operating characteristics of a motor vehicle comprising in combination with a motor vehicle:
- first means including an electronic computer for processing information and generating output control signals in accordance with variations in the information received by said computer,second means including a plurality of sensors which are operable for sensing a plurality of said operating characteristics of the motor vehicle, one of said sensors is for sensing distance travelled by said vehicle and generating first signals indicative of such distance travelled,third means for energizing said second means to cause said second means to generate first signals,means for operatively connecting said second means to said electronic computer for processing the signals generated by said second means and generating control signals based on the processed result,visual display means controlled by said computer to display information defining the operating characteristics of said vehicle,synthetic speech signal generating means including a first memory from which speech signals are generatable and define words of speech indicative of operational parameters of said motor vehicle,a second memory containing recordings defining periodic maintenance requirements for said motor vehicle,means for applying said control signals to said second memory to cause it to generate signals defining specific maintenance requirements, means for applying said latter signals to said speech signal generating means to cause it to generate speech signals defining words and phrases indicative of specific maintenance functions, andmeans for receiving and transducing said speech signals to sounds of words of speech indicative of said specific maintenance functions to be performed on said motor vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for indicating operational characteristics of a machine, such as a motor vehicle or other type of human operator or monitored machine which is subject to variations in its operational characteristics requiring adjustments, maintenance or replacement of machine parts. In particular, the system and method involve the generation of synthetic speech signals which are converted to sounds of words and phrases or sentences which describe the operational characteristics of the machine and, in certain instances, suggest remedies or procedures to be taken by an operator or maintenance personnel to prevent machine malfunction, improve its operation and, in certain instances, optimize the manner in which it performs. Both analysis of the operational characteristics or ambient conditions to which the machine is subjected are effected by a plurality of sensors of such conditions and a computer or microelectronic processor which processes the outputs of the sensors and determines such operational characteristics, further controlling the operation of an electronic synthetic speech signal generator for generating speech signals which are converted to words, phrases and, in certain instances, sentences defining the operation and further defining suggested maintenance or variations in the operation to be taken by the operator thereof. Unsafe operating conditions may be electronically detected and immediately indicated or indicated at a future time when a memory is queriead.
87 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for indicating operating characteristics of a motor vehicle comprising in combination with a motor vehicle:
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first means including an electronic computer for processing information and generating output control signals in accordance with variations in the information received by said computer, second means including a plurality of sensors which are operable for sensing a plurality of said operating characteristics of the motor vehicle, one of said sensors is for sensing distance travelled by said vehicle and generating first signals indicative of such distance travelled, third means for energizing said second means to cause said second means to generate first signals, means for operatively connecting said second means to said electronic computer for processing the signals generated by said second means and generating control signals based on the processed result, visual display means controlled by said computer to display information defining the operating characteristics of said vehicle, synthetic speech signal generating means including a first memory from which speech signals are generatable and define words of speech indicative of operational parameters of said motor vehicle, a second memory containing recordings defining periodic maintenance requirements for said motor vehicle, means for applying said control signals to said second memory to cause it to generate signals defining specific maintenance requirements, means for applying said latter signals to said speech signal generating means to cause it to generate speech signals defining words and phrases indicative of specific maintenance functions, and means for receiving and transducing said speech signals to sounds of words of speech indicative of said specific maintenance functions to be performed on said motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification