Vehicle tampering protection system

• US 6,629,031 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2002
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Incorporated (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Incorporated (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Blackard, Michael, Kidd, Brian, Gustavsson, Tommy, Bate, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DONNELLY, ARTHUR D
• Application Number:
  US10/042,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20030088348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 701/35, 701/29, 701/207, 701/205, 701/210, 701/213, 701/216, 701/219, 701/214, 340/568, 340/272, 340/825.54, 340/990, 340/995, 340/988, 702/96, 73/13.7, 342/457
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/02 by conversion into electric waveforms and subsequent integration, e.g. using tachometer generator G01C22/002, G01C22/004, G01C22/006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/052 with provision for determining speed or overspeed speed measuring in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.

Claims

1. A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle distance travel data comprising the steps of:

recording vehicle odometer data in a wireless communication device;

receiving vehicle velocity data signals from a remote satellite system;

measuring vehicle velocity after a duration of vehicle operation at a substantially stable speed;

calculating a velocity difference between a vehicle velocity measured on-board and a vehicle velocity as determined from data signals received from a remote satellite system; and

communicating any condition whereby an absolute value of said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of validating vehicle odometer data during periods of allowable tolerance, whereby vehicle odometer data is transmitted by said satellite communication device to a vehicle fleet office.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of validating vehicle odometer data during periods of allowable tolerance, whereby vehicle odometer data is transmitted by said satellite communication device to a vehicle fleet office at vehicle fleet office selected intervals.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance to a vehicle fleet manager.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance to a vehicle fleet manager, whereby not more than one communication is made during a reporting period.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the duration of said reporting period is determined by a vehicle fleet manager.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance to a vehicle operator.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is within an allowable tolerance to a vehicle operator.

9. A computer readable medium containing instructions for performing a method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle distance travel data comprising the steps of:

recording vehicle odometer data in a wireless communication device;

receiving vehicle velocity data signals from a remote satellite system;

measuring vehicle velocity after a duration of vehicle operation at a substantially stable speed;

calculating a velocity difference between a vehicle velocity measured on-board and a vehicle velocity as determined from data signals received from a remote satellite system; and

communicating any condition whereby an absolute value of said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance.