Method and apparatus for measuring and accumulating critical automobile warranty statistical data
First Claim
1. A method for use in measuring and accumulating warranty statistical data, comprising the steps of:
- mounting an electronics unit on a vehicle, said electronics unit including a first sensor for monitoring a first operating parameter, a processor for receiving input information regarding said monitored first operating parameter and processing said input information to yield processed operating parameter information and a memory for storing at least a portion of said processed operating parameter information;
accessing said electronics unit to download said stored processed operating parameter information for use by an external processing system; and
using said external processing system to derive warranty statistical data, wherein said using comprises applying a statistical tool to said processed operating parameter information to derive a mathematical model for characterizing said processed operating parameter information.
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Abstract
A system is provided for monitoring operating parameters relating to vehicle usage and using the operating parameter information to derive warranty statistical data. In one embodiment, an operating parameter monitoring unit includes a microprocessor and a sensor interface mounted within a housing. The sensor interface includes a number of leads for receiving sensor input signals from sensors that monitor various vehicle operating parameters. The microprocessor receives parameter information via the sensor interface that is indicative of various input sensor signals and stores corresponding parameter information in memory. The stored parameter information can be accessed via a data interface such as a data port or a RF interface.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for use in measuring and accumulating warranty statistical data, comprising the steps of:
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mounting an electronics unit on a vehicle, said electronics unit including a first sensor for monitoring a first operating parameter, a processor for receiving input information regarding said monitored first operating parameter and processing said input information to yield processed operating parameter information and a memory for storing at least a portion of said processed operating parameter information;
accessing said electronics unit to download said stored processed operating parameter information for use by an external processing system; and
using said external processing system to derive warranty statistical data, wherein said using comprises applying a statistical tool to said processed operating parameter information to derive a mathematical model for characterizing said processed operating parameter information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
monitoring the first operating parameter during a first time period to obtain first parameter information; and
monitoring the second operating parameter during a second time period to obtain second parameter information;
where the first and second time periods overlap; and
said step of using comprises analyzing said first parameter information in conjunction with said second parameter information to obtain said warranty statistical data.
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8. A system for monitoring one or more operating parameters related to vehicle wear and deriving warranty statistical data therefrom, comprising:
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a vehicle operating parameter monitoring unit that monitors one or more operating parameters of a vehicle; and
a warranty statistical data processor, coupled to the vehicle operating parameter monitoring unit, that uses the one or more operating parameters to generate auto warranty statistical data for the vehicle, wherein the warranty statistical data processor applies a statistical tool to the one or more monitored operating parameters to derive a mathematical model that characterizes the parameters. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification