Method of monitoring vehicular mileage
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring a trip traveled by a vehicle having a base computer from a fixed base to a plurality of destinations, the vehicle carrying monitoring equipment that includes a navigational receiver for receiving location data identifying the location of the vehicle, and means for storing data, including the received location data and the time it was received, in a log file, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) driving the vehicle away from the fixed base;
(b) inputting a waypoint identifier representing a destination into the monitoring equipment;
(c) storing the waypoint identifier, the location data received at the time the waypoint identifier was inputted, and the time the location data was received in the log file as a record;
(d) starting a clock at the time location data is received;
(e) storing the received location data and the time it was received in the log file as a record, after the clock has run for a predetermined time period without input of a waypoint identifier;
(f) using the stored log records to calculate a sequence of destinations at which the vehicle stopped for longer than a predetermined minimum time interval and calculate the corresponding distances between the sequential destinations.
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Abstract
A navigational system and a computer-based datalogger are used to store data on the distances traveled by and places visited by a monitored vehicle. The datalogger includes a clock and an on-board memory that can store time-stamped records of the latitude and longitude of places visited by the vehicle. In some such systems the vehicle operator can assign a label or a location classification to selected places that he or she visits. Additionally, in some versions of the system an administrator can use a central computer located at the vehicle'"'"'s home base to assign labels to locations where the vehicle is expected to make a stop. The central computer generates a map-like graphical output that displays a point corresponding to each of the places visited. This display may also show the time spent at each place visited during an operational period.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a trip traveled by a vehicle having a base computer from a fixed base to a plurality of destinations, the vehicle carrying monitoring equipment that includes a navigational receiver for receiving location data identifying the location of the vehicle, and means for storing data, including the received location data and the time it was received, in a log file, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) driving the vehicle away from the fixed base;
(b) inputting a waypoint identifier representing a destination into the monitoring equipment;
(c) storing the waypoint identifier, the location data received at the time the waypoint identifier was inputted, and the time the location data was received in the log file as a record;
(d) starting a clock at the time location data is received;
(e) storing the received location data and the time it was received in the log file as a record, after the clock has run for a predetermined time period without input of a waypoint identifier;
(f) using the stored log records to calculate a sequence of destinations at which the vehicle stopped for longer than a predetermined minimum time interval and calculate the corresponding distances between the sequential destinations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
(g) using the stored log records to identify each distance between the fixed base and a destination having a waypoint identifier associated therewith, or the distance between two destinations having waypoint identifiers associated therewith, as a trip of a first type;
(h) using the stored log records to identify each distance between the fixed base and a destination not having a waypoint identifier, or the distance between two destinations wherein one of them does not have a waypoint identifier, as a trip of a second type;
(i) generating a graphic representation depicting each of the trips of the first type in a first fashion, and each of the trips of the second type in a second fashion.
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4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first fashion graphical representation comprises a line having a first color and the second fashion graphical representation comprises a line having a second different color.
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5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of calculating the amount of time that exceeded the predetermined time period the vehicle was at each of the destinations having waypoint identifiers.
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6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing textural data inputted into the monitoring equipment.
Specification