Recording of operational events in an automotive vehicle

• US 5,581,464 A
• Filed: 10/11/1994
• Issued: 12/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vorad Safety Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vorad Safety Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Malan, Van R., Woll, Bryan D., Woll, Jerry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PARK, COLLIN
• Application Number:
  US08/320,603
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/550, 364/551.01, 364/424.05, 364/426.04, 340/435, 340/436, 340/438, 340/441, 340/459, 340/825.31, 180/287
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/046 using an intermediate storage device, e.g. a recording/reproducing device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

An apparatus and method for recording operational events in an automotive radar system. The invention provides an Event Recording Apparatus (ERA) that records selectable vehicle performance, operational status, and/or environment information, including information useful for accident analysis and updated software for use by a system processor capable of reading data from the ERA. The preferred embodiment of the ERA comprises a non-volatile solid-state memory card, a memory card adapter located in a vehicle, and a microprocessor, either as part of the memory card or embedded in a system within the vehicle, for controlling the storage of data within the memory card. The ERA is configured to store such vehicle information as the closing rate between the recording vehicle and targets located by the vehicle'"'"'s radar system, distance between the recording vehicle and targets, vehicle speed, and such vehicle operational status and environment information as braking pressure, vehicle acceleration or deceleration, rate of turning, steering angle, hazard levels determined from a radar system processor, target direction, cruise control status, vehicle engine RPM, brake temperature, brake line hydraulic pressure, windshield wiper status, fog light status, defroster status, and geographic positioning information. In addition, the ERA can be configured to function as a common trip monitor, recording distance travelled, average speed, miles-per-gallon, fuel remaining, compass direction of travel, etc. The device can also record vehicle maintenance information, such as oil temperature, engine temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine timing.

Claims

1. An event recording apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having at least one data generating means, each for sensing an environmental or an operational parameter of the automotive vehicle and for generating corresponding data values, comprising:

(a) a removable recording device including a non-volatile memory means for storing data, and a first interface means for transmitting data from the memory means and for receiving data for storage in the memory means;

(b) an interface adapter, adapted to removably receive the removable recording device and mounted in the automotive vehicle, and including a second interface means for transmitting data to the first interface means of the removable recording device;

(c) controller means fixed within the vehicle and, coupled to the interface adapter and to said at least one data generating means, for receiving data values from said at least one data generating means, and transmitting said received data values through the interface adapter for storage in the removable recording device, the controller means including means for reading data from the removable recording device;

wherein the data read from the removable recording device comprises at least one program to be executed only by the fixed controller means.

4. The event recording apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the controller means further includes means for enabling or disabling the automotive vehicle from operating, and wherein the data read from the removable recording device comprises an expiration code in response to which the controller means enables the automotive vehicle if the expiration code is valid, and disables the automotive vehicle if the expiration code is invalid.

5. The event recording apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the controller means further includes means for controlling functions of the automotive vehicle in response to data values read from the removable recording device.

6. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the non-volatile memory means includes one of:

dynamic RAM with a battery backup and refresh circuitry;

static RAM with a battery backup;

flash memory; and

electrically alterable read-only memory.

7. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the data stored in the removable recording device relates to events internal to the vehicle.

8. The event recording apparatus of claim 7, wherein the data relates to events internal to the vehicle selected from one or more of:

a hazard level determined from a radar system mounted in the automotive vehicle;

braking pressure;

acceleration or deceleration in one or more dimensions;

rate of turning;

steering angle;

cruise control status;

brake temperature;

brake line hydraulic pressure;

average speed;

miles-per-gallon;

compass direction of travel;

coolant temperature;

oil temperature;

engine temperature;

transmission fluid temperature;

engine timing;

impact;

tire pressure;

windshield wiper status;

fog light status;

defroster status; and

geographic positioning information.

9. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the data stored in the removable recording device relates to events external to the vehicle.

10. The event recording apparatus of claim 9, wherein the data relating to events external to the vehicle is selected from one or more of:

the closing rate between the automotive vehicle and targets located by a radar system mounted in the automotive vehicle;

the distance between the automotive vehicle and such targets; and

target direction.

11. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, further including a computer interface adapter means, adapted to removably receive a recording device and adapted to be coupled to a computer, and including a third interface means for transmitting data from the computer to the first interface means of the recording device and for receiving data from the first interface means of the recording device.

12. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the data stored in the removable recording device is normally stored at a first rate, but is stored at a second rate upon an occurrence of a selected event.

13. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein data storage is commenced upon an occurrence of a selected event.

14. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein data storage is terminated upon an occurrence of a selected event.

15. The event recording apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the non-volatile memory means includes multiple logical data pages for storing independent sets of data.

16. The event recording apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3, further including a system non-volatile memory means for storing data read from the removable recording device.

2. An event recording apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle environment, comprising:

(a) a removable recording device including non-volatile memory means for storing data, and a first interface means for transmitting data from the memory means and for receiving data for storage in the memory means;

(b) an interface adapter, adapted to removably receive the removable recording device and mounted in an automotive vehicle, and including a second interface means for transmitting data to the first interface means of the removable recording device and for receiving data from the first interface means of the removable recording device;

(c) at least one data generating means, mounted in an automotive vehicle, each for sensing an environmental or an operational parameter of the automotive vehicle and for generating corresponding data values;

(d) controller means, fixed within the vehicle and coupled to the interface adapter and to said at least one data generating means, for receiving data values from said at least one data generating means and transmitting said received data values through the interface adapter for storage in the removable recording device, the controller means including means for reading data from the removable recording device;

wherein the data read from the removable recording device comprises at least one program to be executed only by the fixed controller.

3. An event recording apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having at least one data generating means, each for sensing an environmental or an operation parameter of the automotive vehicle and for generating corresponding data values, comprising:

(a) an electronic removable recording device including non-volatile memory means for storing data, and a first serial interface means for transmitting data from the memory means and for receiving data for storage in the memory means;

(b) an interface adapter, adapted to removably receive the removable recording device and mounted in the automotive vehicle, and including a second serial interface means for transmitting data to the first serial interface means of the removable recording device and for receiving data from the first serial interface means of the removable recording device;

(c) controller means, fixed within the vehicle and coupled to the interface adapter and to said at least one data generating means, for receiving data values from said at least one data generating means and periodically transmitting said received data values through the interface adapter for storage in the removable recording device, the controller means including means for reading data from the removable recording device;

wherein the data read from the removable recording device comprises at least one program to be executed only by the fixed controller means.

17. The event recording apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second interface means communicate over a 3-wire serial bus.

18. A method for recording events relating to an automotive vehicle having at least one data generating means, each for sensing an environmental or an operational parameter of the automotive vehicle and for generating corresponding data values, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a removable data storage card including non-volatile memory means for storing data, and a first interface means for transmitting data from the memory means and for receiving data for storage in the memory means;

(b) providing an interface adapter, adapted to removably receive the recording device and mounted in the automotive vehicle, and including a second interface means for transmitting data to the first interface means of the recording device and for receiving data from the first interface means of the recording device;

(c) receiving data values from said at least one data generating means;

(d) transmitting said received data values through the interface adapter;

(e) storing the transmitted data in the recording device;

(f) reading a computer program from the recording device; and

(g) executing the program only in a controller fixed within the vehicle.

19. The method for recording events of claim 18, further including the steps of:

(a) providing a computer interface adapter means, adapted to removably receive a recording device and adapted to be coupled to a computer, and including a third interface means for transmitting data from the computer to the first interface means of the recording device and for receiving data from the first interface means of the recording device;

(b) reading into a computer data stored in the recording device.

20. The method for recording events of claim 18, wherein the data stored in the removable recording device relates to events internal to the vehicle.

21. The method for recording events of claim 20, wherein the data relating to events internal to the vehicle is selected from one or more of:

a hazard level determined from a radar system mounted in the automotive vehicle;

braking pressure;

acceleration or deceleration in one or more dimensions;

rate of turning;

steering angle;

cruise control status;

brake temperature;

brake line hydraulic pressure;

miles-per-gallon;

fuel remaining;

compass direction of travel;

coolant temperature;

oil temperature;

engine temperature;

transmission fluid temperature;

engine timing;

impact;

tire pressure;

windshield wiper status;

fog light status;

defroster status; and

geographic positioning information.

22. The method for recording events of claim 18, wherein the data stored in the removable recording device relates to events external to the vehicle.

23. The method for recording events of claim 22, wherein the data relating to events external to the vehicle is selected from one or more of:

the closing rate between the automotive vehicle and targets located by a radar system mounted in the automotive vehicle;

the distance between the automotive vehicle and such targets; and

target direction.

24. The method for recording events of claim 18, wherein the data stored in the removable recording device is normally stored at a first rate, but is stored at a second rate upon an occurrence of a selected event.

25. The method for recording events of claim 18, wherein data storage is commenced upon an occurrence of a selected event.

26. The method for recording events of claim 18, wherein data storage is terminated upon an occurrence of a selected event.

27. The method for recording events of claim 18, wherein the non-volatile memory means includes multiple logical data pages for storing independent sets of data.

28. An event recording apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having at least one data generating means, each for sensing an environmental or an operational parameter of the automotive vehicle and for generating corresponding data values, comprising:

(a) a removable recording device having a non-volatile memory for storing data, and means for transmitting data from the memory and for receiving data for storage in the memory;

(b) controller means, fixed within the vehicle and coupled to the data storage unit and to said at least one data generating means, for receiving data values from said at least one data generating means and transmitting said received data values to the data storage unit for storage in the non-volatile memory, the controller means including means for reading data from the data storage unit;

wherein the data read from the data storage unit comprises at least one program to be executed only by the fixed controller means.