Detection of vehicle operation under adverse conditions
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions, the method comprising:
- activating at predetermined intervals an air diverter that is installed on a vehicle to sample incoming air upstream from and entering an air filter installed on the vehicle;
measuring via a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals;
monitoring via the contaminant detection sensor the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and
the contaminant detection sensor signaling to an integrated circuit module an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Details relating to the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions are recorded and collected. This data is particularly useful to forestall catastrophic failures, and to provide valuable information for potential buyers of used vehicles. Among the operating conditions that are considered are high levels of air contaminants, operation in extreme hot or cold temperatures, hauling heavy loads, as well as hard braking, turning and acceleration. In addition to the detection and recording of data, prorated maintenance schedules are recalculated and adjusted to accommodate for the operation of the vehicle under these adverse or less than ideal conditions. Typically, the data is stored in the on-board computers present in most vehicles. Periodic off loading of the data to the dealer and service providers is also provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions, the method comprising:
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activating at predetermined intervals an air diverter that is installed on a vehicle to sample incoming air upstream from and entering an air filter installed on the vehicle; measuring via a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals; monitoring via the contaminant detection sensor the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and the contaminant detection sensor signaling to an integrated circuit module an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of providing a service for monitoring the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions, the method comprising:
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a computer infrastructure comprising a processing unit that; activates at predetermined intervals an air diverter installed on a vehicle to sample incoming air upstream from and entering an air filter installed on the vehicle; measures via a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals; monitors via the contaminant detection sensor the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and signals an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a computer readable tangible storage device having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, cause the computer processor to; activate at predetermined intervals an air diverter installed on a vehicle to sample incoming air upstream from and entering an air filter installed on the vehicle; measure via a contaminant detection sensor installed on the vehicle an amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air sampled by the air diverter at the predetermined intervals; monitor via the contaminant detection sensor the measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air for a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range; and signal an occurrence of an adverse condition relating to operation of the vehicle in response to determining that the monitored measured amount of particulate contamination in the upstream air has a high level of particulate matter outside of an acceptable range. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification