Internet vehicle data logger framework that provide data controller by the user in standardized human understandable format via web services

• US 8,930,502 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cesar Enrique Alvarez Rodriguez
• Original Assignee: Cesar Enrique Alvarez Rodriguez
• Inventors: Alvarez Rodriguez, Cesar Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tammy
• Application Number:
  US13/708,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20130151671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 705/22, 705/26.5, 370/255
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Software applications that retrieve, log, and communicate vehicle-related data are implemented within a system that includes a plurality of vehicles, a worldwide network, at least one web server, at least one database server, and a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices. Each vehicle has at least one internet-enabled front-end device, which is communicably coupled to the vehicle'"'"'s computer system access device. The internet-enabled front-end device of each vehicle retrieves the vehicle-related data through a software application, which is also used to send the vehicle-related data to the web server. The web server collects data from each vehicle and properly organizes and stores the data on the database server. The web server and the database service implements a system software to manage and process the data from each vehicle. Once the system software processes the data, the internet-enabled back-end devices can access the data through external applications or information systems.

Claims

1. A system for retrieving, logging, and communicating vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles comprises, a plurality of vehicles;

a worldwide network;

an at least one web server, wherein said at least one web server executes a collector service, a registration service, a decoder service, a converter service, and a retrieve service;

an at least one database server, wherein said at least one database server stores vehicle-related data for each of said plurality of vehicles;

a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices, wherein each of the plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices execute an external application or an information system;

each of the plurality of vehicles includes a vehicle computer system access device and an at least one internet-enabled front-end device, wherein said vehicle computer system access device is capable of accessing vehicle-related data and said at least one internet-enabled front-end device executes a passive retrieving application;

said vehicle computer system access device being communicably coupled to said at least one internet-enabled front-end device;

said at least one internet-enabled front-end device being communicably coupled to said at least one web server through said worldwide network;

said at least one web server being communicably coupled to said at least one database server; and

each of said plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices being communicably coupled to said at least one web server through said worldwide network and for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method comprises the steps of;

converting said corresponding records into said requested units of measure by computing equation;

TUOM=({[Q*M)+Si].sup.Pi+So}/T).sup.Po

wherein TUOM is target unit of measure, Q is base unit of measure, M is a multiplier, S.sub.i is sum input, S.sub.o is sum output, P.sub.i is power input, and P.sub.o is power output, T is quantity of target unit of measurement.

3. The method for retrieving vehicle-related data from a specific vehicle and sending the vehicle-related data to a web server through an internet-enabled front-end device by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

creating said necessary application directories on said specific internet-enabled front-end device;

storing said application operation files within said necessary application directories and implementing said application operation files in order to collect said vehicle-related data from said specific vehicle;

storing said initial data within said necessary application directories; and

requesting and receiving said necessary permissions from said specific internet-enabled front-end device in order to collect said vehicle-related data from said vehicle computer system access device.

4. The method for retrieving vehicle-related data from a specific vehicle and sending the vehicle-related data to a web server through an internet-enabled front-end device by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

locating and identifying potential vehicle computer system access device within immediate area of said specific vehicle;

sending a confirmation request to said potential vehicle computer system access device;

verifying said potential vehicle computer system access device as said vehicle computer system access device of said specific vehicle by receiving a confirmation response from said potential vehicle computer system access device;

suggesting options in order to locate said vehicle computer system access device of said specific vehicle, if said potential vehicle computer system access device does not send said confirmation response;

verifying availability of said worldwide network in order to communicate with said at least one web server;

prompting to enter said user identification and said password in order to access said specific user account;

executing a registration process in order to create a new user account with said user identification and said password, if said specific user account does not exist on said at least one web server; and

receiving said unique user and device identification from said at least one web server.

5. The method for retrieving vehicle-related data from a specific vehicle and sending the vehicle-related data to a web server through an internet-enabled front-end device by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

providing a vehicle identification command, a plurality of data-gathering commands, and location of said at least one web server within said initial data, wherein each of said plurality of data-gathering commands includes a priority rank;

retrieving a vehicle identification number (VIN) for said specific vehicle by sending said vehicle identification command to said vehicle computer system access device;

sequentially sending each of said plurality of data-gathering commands to said vehicle computer system access device;

retrieving a command answer for each of said plurality of data-gathering commands;

retrieving coordinated universal time (UTC) in order to create a timestamp for each of said plurality of data-gathering commands;

sequentially creating a plurality of records, wherein each of said plurality of records includes a specific command from said plurality of data-gathering commands, said command answer for said specific command, said priority rank, said unique user and device identification, said VIN, and said timestamp; and

sequentially sending each of said plurality of records to said at least one web server.

6. The method for retrieving vehicle-related data from a specific vehicle and sending the vehicle-related data to a web server through an internet-enabled front-end device by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 5 comprises the steps of:

immediately verifying availability of said worldwide network in order to communicate with said at least one web server, if said priority rank of a specific record from said plurality of records is urgent;

sending said specific record to said at least one website; and

deleting said specific record from said plurality of records, if a successfully-stored message for said specific record is received from said at least one web server.

7. The method for retrieving vehicle-related data from a specific vehicle and sending the vehicle-related data to a web server through an internet-enabled front-end device by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 5 comprises the steps of:

passively verifying availability of said worldwide network in order to communicate with said at least one web server, if said priority rank of a specific record from said plurality of records is normal or low;

sending said specific record to said at least one website; and

deleting said specific record from said plurality of records, if a successfully-stored message for said specific record is received from said at least one web server.

9. The method for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

receiving a specific record from said at least one internet-enabled front-end device, wherein said specific record includes said specific command, said command answer for said specific command, said priority rank, said unique user and device identification, said VIN, and said timestamp;

verifying said unique user and device identification for a specific user account from said plurality of user accounts;

storing said specific record as raw data on said database server, if said unique user and device identification correctly match said specific user account;

decoding said specific record into a standardized human understandable format;

storing said specific record as decoded data on said database server; and

sending a successfully-stored message to said at least one internet-enabled front-end device.

10. The method for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

receiving an App/IS name, an App/IS description, and an App/IS password for a new App/IS profile through said at least one web server;

searching for said App/IS name of said new App/IS profile amongst said plurality of external App/IS profiles;

prompting to reenter said App/IS name of said new App/IS profile until said App/IS name of said new App/IS profile is unique amongst said plurality of external App/IS profiles;

generating an App/IS identification for said new App/IS profile, wherein said App/IS identification for said new App/IS profile is unique amongst said plurality of external App/IS profiles;

storing said App/IS name, said App/IS description, said App/IS identification, and said App/IS password for said new App/IS profile on said database server; and

displaying a successfully-registered message through said at least one web server, wherein said successfully-registered message includes said App/IS identification of said new App/IS profile.

11. The method for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

wherein a specific user account from said plurality of user accounts is associated with an at least one vehicle from said plurality of vehicles;

prompting to enter said user identification and said user password for said specific user account;

displaying said at least one vehicle with said plurality of records for each of said plurality of external App/IS profiles through said web server, if said user identification and said user password correctly match said specific user account;

prompting said specific user account to select allowable App/IS profiles from said of plurality of external App/IS profiles, wherein said allowable App/IS are exclusively able to retrieve decoded data of said specific user account;

prompting said specific user account to select allowable vehicles from said at least one vehicle, wherein said allowable App/IS profiles are only able to access said decoded data of said allowable vehicles;

prompting said specific user account to select allowable records from said plurality of records, wherein said allowable App/IS profiles are only able to access said decoded data of said allowable records;

generating a unique surrogate user identification for each of said allowable App/IS profiles, wherein said unique surrogate user identification is sent to said allowable App/IS profiles; and

storing said allowable App/IS profiles, said allowable vehicles, said allowable records, and said unique surrogate user identification as said filter preferences for said specific user account.

12. The method for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

receiving a data request from a specific App/IS profile, wherein said data request includes an App/IS identification, an App/IS password, said unique surrogate user identification, an at least one chosen VIN, a question, and a chosen date and time range;

searching through decoded data of said plurality of vehicles in order to find corresponding records for said data request, wherein said corresponding records match said unique surrogate user identification, said at least one chosen VIN, said question, and said chosen date and time range of said data request;

replacing said unique user and device identification with said unique surrogate user identification for each of said corresponding records;

enabling said specific App/IS profile to access said corresponding records, if said App/IS identification and said App/IS password correctly match said specific App/IS profile;

enabling said specific App/IS profile to access said corresponding records, if said filter preferences of a specific user account does not restrict access to said corresponding records; and

converting said corresponding records into requested units of measure, if said requested units of measure are sent by said specific App/IS profile.

2. A method for retrieving vehicle-related data from a specific vehicle and sending the vehicle-related data to a web server through an internet-enabled front-end device by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method comprises the steps of:

providing a specific vehicle, wherein said specific vehicle includes a vehicle computer system access device;

providing a specific internet-enabled front-end device, a worldwide network, and an at least one web server;

installing an application infrastructure onto said specific internet-enabled front-end device, wherein said application infrastructure includes necessary application directories, application operation files, initial data, and necessary permissions;

configuring a plurality of application settings for said specific internet-enabled front-end device;

remotely collecting vehicle-related data by sending test commands to said vehicle computer system access device and by receiving command answers from said vehicle computer system access device;

initially accessing a specific user account on said at least one web server by sending a user identification and a user password for said specific user account;

associating said vehicle-related data to a unique user and device identification, wherein said unique user and device identification represents both said specific user account and said specific internet-based front-end device; and

continuously sending said vehicle-related data to said at least one web server and for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method comprises the steps of;

converting said corresponding records into said requested units of measure by computing equation;

TUOM=({[Q*M)+Si].sup.Pi+So}/T).sup.Po

wherein TUOM is target unit of measure, Q is base unit of measure, M is a multiplier, S.sub.i is sum input, S.sub.o is sum output, P.sub.i is power input, and P.sub.o is power output, T is quantity of target unit of measurement.

8. A method for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method comprises the steps of:

providing an at least one web server and a database server;

providing a plurality of vehicles, wherein each of said plurality of vehicles includes an at least one internet-enabled front-end device;

providing a plurality of user accounts, wherein each of said plurality of user accounts includes a user identification and a user password;

remotely collecting a plurality of records from said at least one internet-enabled front-end device for each of said plurality of vehicles, wherein each of said plurality of records includes a specific command, a command answer for said specific command, a priority rank, a unique user and device identification, a vehicle identification number (VIN), and a timestamp;

registering and configuring a plurality of external application/information system (App/IS) profiles, wherein said plurality of external App/IS profiles is accessed by a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices;

limiting accessibility between said plurality of user accounts and said plurality of external App/IS profiles by setting filter preferences for each of said plurality of user accounts; and

enabling said plurality of back-end devices to access said plurality of records for each of said plurality of vehicles through said plurality of external App/IS profiles and for remotely collecting vehicle-related data from each of a plurality of vehicles and sending the vehicle-related data to a plurality of internet-enabled back-end devices by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the method comprises the steps of;

converting said corresponding records into said requested units of measure by computing equation;

TUOM=({[Q*M)+Si].sup.Pi+So}/T).sup.Po

wherein TUOM is target unit of measure, Q is base unit of measure, M is a multiplier, S.sub.i is sum input, S.sub.o is sum output, P.sub.i is power input, and P.sub.o is power output, T is quantity of target unit of measurement.