Method of determining optimal change interval for a functional fluid
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method of determining an improved change interval for a functional fluid utilized in the operation of a vehicle, comprising a computer system for collecting information on said vehicle and said functional fluid wherein the computer system calculates the improved change interval, wherein the method comprises:
- (a) said computer system obtaining information on said vehicle;
(b) said computer system retrieving a base change interval for the functional fluid in said vehicle from a reference database, utilizing the information obtained in (a);
(c) said computer system obtaining information relating to the operating conditions of said vehicle that utilizes said functional fluid, wherein said information comprises;
(i) the location of the vehicle;
(ii) the age of the vehicle;
(iii) the mileage on the vehicle;
(iv) information on the type, brand, and/or age of the functional fluid being used;
(v) the driving conditions the vehicle experiences; and
(vi) information on the type, brand, components of and/or age of the vehicle and/or a component thereof;
(d) said computer system creating a data set from the information obtained in steps (a), (b) and (c) wherein each piece of information relating to the vehicle'"'"'s operating conditions is transformed into a numerical adjustment factor; and
(e) said computer system calculating an optimal fluid change interval by adjusting said base change interval through the application of one or more of said numerical adjustment factors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tool for determining, improving and/or optimizing the change interval of a functional fluid utilized in a piece of equipment by using information on the piece of the equipment and its operating conditions. In particular, the present invention relates to the optimization of the oil drain interval of a vehicle by using a base change interval and optimizing it based on the operating conditions the vehicle experiences.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method of determining an improved change interval for a functional fluid utilized in the operation of a vehicle, comprising a computer system for collecting information on said vehicle and said functional fluid wherein the computer system calculates the improved change interval, wherein the method comprises:
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(a) said computer system obtaining information on said vehicle; (b) said computer system retrieving a base change interval for the functional fluid in said vehicle from a reference database, utilizing the information obtained in (a); (c) said computer system obtaining information relating to the operating conditions of said vehicle that utilizes said functional fluid, wherein said information comprises; (i) the location of the vehicle; (ii) the age of the vehicle; (iii) the mileage on the vehicle; (iv) information on the type, brand, and/or age of the functional fluid being used; (v) the driving conditions the vehicle experiences; and (vi) information on the type, brand, components of and/or age of the vehicle and/or a component thereof; (d) said computer system creating a data set from the information obtained in steps (a), (b) and (c) wherein each piece of information relating to the vehicle'"'"'s operating conditions is transformed into a numerical adjustment factor; and (e) said computer system calculating an optimal fluid change interval by adjusting said base change interval through the application of one or more of said numerical adjustment factors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining an improved change interval for a functional fluid, wherein said functional fluid is utilized in a vehicle and wherein said fluid is periodically changed, by using a wide area computer network, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) obtaining and/or inputting data, said data comprising information relating to the operating conditions of said vehicle in which the functional fluid is utilized, wherein said information is sufficient to determine and/or estimate the condition of the vehicle and/or the operating conditions said vehicle experiences, wherein said information comprises; (i) the location of the vehicle; (ii) the age of the vehicle; (iii) the mileage on the vehicle; (iv) information on the type, brand, and/or age of the functional fluid being used; (v) the driving conditions the vehicle experiences; and (vi) information on the type, brand, components of and/or age of the vehicle and/or a component thereof; (b) analyzing the data by computer; and (c) providing the improved change interval for said functional fluid which takes into account said information obtained and/or inputted in step (a). - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An internet-based functional fluid change interval calculating and reporting system comprising:
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(a) an application service provider; (b) a server operable by said application service provider, said server including an operating control system, an internet connection and functional fluid change interval calculation software executable on said control system to utilize a database of functional fluid related data and/or functional fluid-utilizing equipment related data; (c) a client connected over the internet to said application service provider, by an internet browser running on a remote computer non-local from said application service provider, to thereby facilitate communications related to the use of said functional fluid change interval calculation software over said internet between said server and said client; and (d) a hypertext markup language compliant page on said server and accessible through said internet connection, said hypertext markup language compliant page displaying output generated by said functional fluid change interval calculation software and having an embedded function displayed on said page and operable to facilitate said communications related to the use of said functional fluid change interval calculation software over said internet between said server and said client; wherein said embedded function is operable to run at said server, when said internet browser is running on said remote computer accesses said hypertext markup language compliant page, and said embedded function is selected, to thereby permit selected access by said client using said internet browser to said functional fluid change interval calculation software, in order to access said lubricant related data; wherein functional fluid-utilizing equipment is vehicle and wherein the functional fluid information and/or functional fluid utilizing equipment information entered by the client comprises the following; (i) the location of the vehicle; (ii) the age of the vehicle; (iii) the mileage on the vehicle; (vi) information on the type, brand, and/or age of the functional fluid being used; (v) the driving conditions the vehicle experiences; and (vi) information on the type, brand, components of and/or age of the vehicle and/or a component thereof. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification