Apparatus and method for optimally recording geographical position data

• US 8,032,276 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2005
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GeoTab Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GeoTab Incorporated
• Inventors: Cawse, Neil Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIE, WAE LENNY
• Application Number:
  US11/252,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20060119507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,176 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/301, 701/35, 701/93, 701/33, 342/357.13, 340/905, 340/936, 340/439
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/52 Determining velocity
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• 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: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for optimally recording or transmitting positional data and events of an object, said apparatus including input means to continuously provide positional data to a microprocessor and a memory device to store selected positional data wherein the microprocessor is programmed to compares new positional data from said input means to previously recorded log of positional data and creates a new log if the new positional data differs from the previously recorded log in accordance with pre-determined parameters.

Claims

1. An apparatus with a memory device in which is stored a record of selected positional data about a vehicle, wherein the apparatus operates to create said record by:

a) receiving new data from the vehicle about its position;

b) determining change between the new position of the vehicle and the position of the vehicle last recorded by the apparatus;

c) determining elapsed time between when the vehicle was at the new position and when the vehicle was at the position last recorded by the apparatus;

d) selecting the new data received in step a) for logging in step e) when said change in position in relation to said elapsed time exceeds predetermined parameters;

e) logging data selected in step d) in said memory device; and

f) repeating steps a) through e);

thereby creating said record of selected positional data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positional data is received from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver located in or around the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameters cause the apparatus to record the new positional data and time if there is a change in speed and/or heading of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameters cause the apparatus to record the new positional data and time if the data indicate harsh braking, excessive speed, or a change in heading, at high or low speed, of the vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be located at a base station and receive positional data wirelessly transmitted from a position locating device situated in or around the vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is located in or around the vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory device is a separate portable recording device.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is adapted to transmit positional data and time selected for recording because the difference in positional data and/or elapsed time exceeds said pre-determined parameters.

9. A system for processing information about a vehicle, comprising the apparatus of claim 1, and a base station programmed to analyze the recorded data.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is adapted to display trip data on a map.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is adapted to produce activity reports that include a list of trips and speed profiles of the object.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is adapted to produce activity reports identifying individual drivers or vehicles.

24. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the separate portable recording device is a memory stick.

13. An apparatus comprising a microprocessor that is programmed to selectively cause positional data for a vehicle to be recorded by repeatedly:

a) receiving new positional data from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver located in or around the vehicle;

b) determining change in position between the new positional data and previous positional data about the vehicle last recorded by the apparatus;

c) determining elapsed time between when the new positional data were obtained and when said last recorded positional data were obtained;

d) determining change of the vehicle'"'"'s position as a function of the elapsed time; and

e) in the event that a change of the vehicle'"'"'s position in relation to the elapsed time exceeds pre-determined parameters, causing such data to be recorded.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the predetermined parameters cause the apparatus to record the new positional data and time if there is a change in speed and/or heading of the vehicle.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the predetermined parameters cause the apparatus to record the new positional data and time if the data indicate harsh braking, excessive speed, or a change in heading, at high or low speed, of the vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be located at a base station and receive positional data wirelessly transmitted from a GPS receiver located in or around the vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is disposed in the vehicle.

18. A system for processing information about a vehicle, comprising the apparatus of claim 13, and a base station programmed to analyze the recorded data and provide the user with a display or report of the analyzed data.

19. An automated method for assembling a record of trip data for a vehicle, wherein said record comprises selected positional information about said vehicle, the method comprising repeatedly:

a) receiving new positional data from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver located in or around the vehicle;

b) having a microprocessor determine change in position between the new positional data and positional data about the vehicle that was last logged in the record;

c) having a microprocessor determine elapsed time between when the new positional data and when the last logged positional data were obtained; and

d) in the event that a change of the vehicle'"'"'s position in relation to the elapsed time exceeds pre-determined parameters, logging the new positional data in the record of trip data.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising recording the new positional data and time if there is a change in speed and/or heading of the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising recording the new positional data and time if there is harsh braking, excessive speed, or a change in heading, at high or low speed, of the vehicle.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the method is conducted at a base station while receiving positional data wirelessly transmitted from a GPS receiver located in or around the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the method is conducted by an apparatus located in the vehicle.

25. An apparatus for autonomously recording vehicular data including vehicular position/time data, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a memory device for selectively logging a plurality of vehicular data points; and

,

(b) a microprocessor that operates to compare a last logged vehicular position/time data point with subsequently received vehicular position/time data to calculate positional change over a corresponding intervening interval of elapsed time between said last logged data point and said subsequently received vehicular position/time data,

wherein said memory device selectively logs vehicular data whenever said positional change in relation to said elapsed time exceeds predetermined parameters.