System and method for determining vehicle travel routes and mileage
First Claim
1. A method for determining the route of travel by a vehicle comprising the steps of:
- determining the location of said vehicle at a first pre-determined event;
providing a corresponding time-stamp for each vehicle location, and a vehicle identification number to a fixed station upon said vehicle position determination;
transmitting at least two odometer readings from said vehicle to said fixed station, each of said odometer readings being transmitted upon the occurrence of a second pre-determined event;
estimating a route of travel taken by said vehicle using a routing program, said routing program using at least said vehicle location to estimate said route of travel; and
validating said estimated route of travel using said at least two odometer readings.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for determining a route of travel and associated mileage of a vehicle is disclosed. The system records a vehicle'"'"'s identification number, location, and odometer mileage transmitted via satellite to a fixed station. The location data is provided to a processor which determines an estimated route of travel by said vehicle using a routing program. The estimated route is comprised of a plurality of position segments, each position segment having a corresponding mileage and average expected speed. The route of travel may be checked for accuracy by comparing the estimated route mileage to the odometer mileage. If a significant difference is found, a diagnostic procedure is performed which attempts to correct the mismatch by evaluating alternate routes of travel. If the alternative route mileage agrees with the actual odometer miles within a predetermined threshold, the new route and associated mileage is used as the "true" route taken by the vehicle. The diagnostic procedure can also identify position segments where the vehicle appeared to be traveling much slower or faster than the average speed for that position segment. The mileage difference can then be allocated proportionally to each identified suspect position segment to provide an accurate estimate of the miles driven within the predetermined jurisdiction. Once the route of travel has been verified, the mileage traveled by the vehicle can be accurately determined and used for various computations. For example, state fuel-taxes may be accurately calculated from the mileage information.
171 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for determining the route of travel by a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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determining the location of said vehicle at a first pre-determined event; providing a corresponding time-stamp for each vehicle location, and a vehicle identification number to a fixed station upon said vehicle position determination; transmitting at least two odometer readings from said vehicle to said fixed station, each of said odometer readings being transmitted upon the occurrence of a second pre-determined event; estimating a route of travel taken by said vehicle using a routing program, said routing program using at least said vehicle location to estimate said route of travel; and validating said estimated route of travel using said at least two odometer readings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. System for determining an estimated route of travel by a vehicle, said vehicle having a mobile communications terminal for transmitting an MCT number, odometer readings, and text messages to a fixed station, said system comprising:
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a mobile communications terminal for transmitting said odometer readings and said text messages to said fixed station; vehicle location determination means for calculating a plurality of vehicle locations and a corresponding time-stamp for each location; a storage device for storing said time-stamps, said vehicle identification number, and said odometer mileage transmitted from said vehicle and for storing said vehicle locations and a processor for determining said estimated route of travel by said vehicle, for determining a total mileage traveled by said vehicle along said estimated route, and for correcting said estimated route of travel using said odometer mileage.
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Specification