Technique for effectively maintaining components of a vehicle

• US 6,922,616 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Calcar, Inc.
• Inventors: Obradovich, Michael L., Dinkel, John G., Kent, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US10/783,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 340/441, 340/457, 340/457.4, 340459-462, 340/436, 340438-439, 701 29- 34, 701/36, 701101-102, 731/171, 731/173, 731/182, 731/16, 123/179.4, 123479-480
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/76 Digital systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00642 Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices B60H1/3201 - B60H1/3208, B60H1/3225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00985 Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 : Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 : operating on the fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 : a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels

Abstract

A multimedia information and control system in a vehicle enables a user to access information concerning the vehicle and to control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. In addition, the system monitors usage of vehicle components, and alerts a user when it is time to service the components, thereby properly maintaining the components. The alert may comprise a textual, audio and/or visual message.

Claims

1. A method for use in a system in a vehicle for maintaining components of the vehicle, the system including a display element, the method comprising:

determining a measure which indicates an extent of performance degradation of a vehicle component, which includes an engine, due to an operation of the vehicle, the measure being a function of at least a duration and rate which the engine runs, wherein the duration includes a time during which the engine runs at a rate exceeding a predetermined rate;

adding the duration to a cumulative duration;

determining whether the cumulative duration exceeds a predetermined value;

providing an alert when the cumulative duration exceeds the predetermined value; and

displaying a selectable option on the display element, a selection of the option causing information about the alert to be provided, thereby facilitating servicing of the vehicle component.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the rate at which the engine runs is measured by a tachometer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the alert includes a visual indication.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the information concerns maintenance of the vehicle component.

5. The method of claim 1 a wherein the rate is a function of an RPM value.

6. A system for use in a vehicle for maintaining components of the vehicle, the system comprising:

a device for determining a measure which indicates an extent of performance degradation of a vehicle component, including an engine, due to an operation of the vehicle, the measure being a function of at least a duration and a rate at which the engine runs, wherein the duration includes a measure of time during which the engine runs at a rate exceeding a predetermined rate, the duration being added to a cumulative duration;

an output element for providing an alert when the cumulative duration exceeds a predetermined value; and

a display element for displaying a selectable option thereon, a selection of the option causing information about the alert to be provided, thereby facilitating servicing of the vehicle component.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the rate at which the engine runs is measured by a tachometer.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the alert includes a visual indication.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the information concerns maintenance of the vehicle component.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the rate is a function of an RPM value.