Automotive performance meter

• US 6,973,377 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tesla Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Telsa Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Daniel S., Majstorovic, Jovo, Seitzinger, Martin, Rutgers, Maarten A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/698,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20040093129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/35, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 702/1, 702/57, 702/64, 702/65, 375/130, 324/76.11, 324/76.19, 322/25, 322 27- 29, 322/33
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0012 Transmission control for optimising power output of driveline
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/02 Indicating value of two or more variables simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/08 Arrangements of scales, pointers, lamps or acoustic indicators, e.g. in automobile speedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/122 Speed recorders

Abstract

Methods, systems and circuits for analyzing the performance of a vehicle having an electrical system are provided which determine a shift point while the vehicle is being driven. The shift point is determined using acceleration data and RPM data generated from the electrical system.

Claims

1. A method of determining RPMs of a vehicle having a DC electrical system comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing a signal on the electrical system of the vehicle;

(b) separating an AC component of the signal;

(c) identifying a frequency value in the AC component of the signal; and

(d) converting the frequency value into an RPM value based on a predetermined relationship between frequency and RPM.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps after step (b) of

(b1) filtering the AC component of the signal;

(b2) digitizing the AC component of the signal into a digital signal; and

(b3) storing the digital signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency value is determined by spectrally decomposing the digital signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency value is determined by determining time between amplitude peaks in the AC component of the signal.

5. A system for determining RPMs of a vehicle having a DC electrical system, the system comprising:

(a) an electrical tap for electrically connecting to the electrical system of the vehicle;

(b) a high pass filter electrically connected to the tap for separating an AC component of the signal; and

(c) a processor electrically connected to the high pass filter for identifying a frequency value in the AC component of the signal, and converting the frequency value into an RPM value based on a predetermined relationship between frequency and engine RPM.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

(d) an additional filter electrically connected to the high pass filter and the processor for filtering the AC component of the signal;

(e) an analog-to-digital converter electrically connected to the additional filter and the processor for digitizing the AC component of the signal into a digital signal; and

(f) a memory coupled to the processor for storing the digital signal.

7. The system of claim 6, the processor determining the frequency value by spectrally decomposing the digital signal.

8. The system of claim 5, the processor determining the frequency value by calculating time between amplitude peaks in the AC component of the signal.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein the tap connects to the electrical system via a electrical socket in a cab of the vehicle.