Collect vehicle performance with a PDT

• US 9,489,782 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Payne, Gregory, Weslake, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Holwerda, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US12/845,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20120029764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,295 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 701/29.1, 701/32.2, 701/32.3, 701/32.4, 701/32.5, 701/33.2, 701/33.3, 701/33.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0866 the electronic data carrier being a digital video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera

Abstract

A mobile device includes: a display; a data reader for reading data from an information bearing medium; at least one vehicle data collection device; a global positioning system (GPS); a wireless communications module; a memory device; a processor; and a housing configured for placement in a vehicle and supporting the display, the data reader, the vehicle data collection device, the GPS module, the wireless communications module, the memory device and the processor, wherein the vehicle data collection device facilitates monitoring at least one vehicle performance characteristic.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a data reader comprising an optical image indicia reader configured for reading symbology from a captured image, said data reader comprising a wireless communications module in electronic communication with a memory device and processor; and

a vehicle data collection device configured to monitor at least one vehicle performance characteristic;

wherein the data reader comprises a near laser generator that generates a near laser scanning pattern which is directed onto a near target and a far laser generator that generates a far laser scanning pattern which is directed onto a far target wherein the far target is farther away from the data reader than the near target;

wherein said data reader is configured for placing in a vehicle and pointing such that a region of interest in the vehicle is within a field of view of the data reader and such that said data reader captures images of said region of interest, processes said images, and upon detecting a change in the region of interest, provides a signal as an alerting mechanism to said vehicle data collection device; and

wherein said region of interest within the vehicle comprises an area for loading packages.

2. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said vehicle data collection device further comprises at least one of the following:

a display in the vehicle, a global positioning system (GPS), an accelerometer;

an engine analyzer and a vehicle system analyzer.

3. A mobile device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the monitored at least one vehicle performance characteristic comprises at least one of the following:

engine idle time;

miles traveled;

rollovers;

speed;

vehicle battery charge;

fuel system conditions;

ignition system conditions, engine operating conditions;

tire air pressure;

trailer load conditions;

accelerations and decelerations.

4. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitored at least one vehicle performance characteristic is logged according to time and date.

5. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data reader is an optical indicia reader configured to automatically capture continuous or periodic images upon the occurrence of a predetermined vehicle performance characteristic.

6. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle data collection device is a camera, and said alerting mechanism is a recording start signal.

7. A mobile device according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle data collection device collects location information, and said reader transmits location information to a remote server upon detecting said change.

8. A mobile device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said change in the region of interest comprises an off center package load.

9. A mobile device comprising:

a data reader configured to read data from an information bearing medium;

at least one vehicle data collection device in electronic communication with said data reader;

a memory device; and

a processor;

wherein the vehicle data collection device facilitates monitoring at least one vehicle performance characteristic;

wherein the data reader comprises an optical image indicia reader configured for reading symbology from a captured image, wherein said data reader is further configured for placing in a vehicle and pointing such that a region of interest in the vehicle is within a field of view of the data reader and such that said data reader captures images of said region of interest, processes said images, and upon detecting a change in the region of interest, provides a signal as an alerting mechanism to said vehicle data collection device; and

wherein said region of interest within the vehicle comprises an area for loading packages.

10. A mobile device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the mobile device provides audible and/or visual information alerting a driver of unsafe driving and handling practices.

11. A mobile device according to claim 9, wherein said alerting mechanism further initiates an audible or visual signal emanating from said data reader.

12. A mobile device according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle data collection device is a camera, and said alerting mechanism is a recording start signal.

13. A mobile device according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle data collection device collects location information, and said reader transmits location information to a remote server upon detecting said change.

14. A mobile device according to claim 9, wherein said data reader calculates parameters for adjusting said vehicle data collection device.

15. A mobile device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said change in the region of interest comprises an off center package load.

16. A mobile device comprising:

a hand held data reader comprising an optical image indicia reader configured for reading symbology from a captured image, and configured to be positioned in a stand inside a vehicle during periods when the data reader is not used for reading symbology, said hand held data reader comprising a wireless communications module, a memory device and a processor; and

at least one vehicle data collection device positioned in the vehicle and in electronic communication with said data reader, wherein said data reader is configured for pointing such that a region of interest in the vehicle is within a field of view of the data reader and such that said data reader captures images of said region of interest, processes said images, and upon detecting a change in the region of interest, provides a signal as an alerting mechanism to said vehicle data collection device;

wherein said region of interest within the vehicle comprises an area for loading packages.

17. A mobile data reader according to claim 16, configured to transmit said images via said wireless communications module to a remote server.

18. A mobile data reader according to claim 17, wherein said vehicle data collection device is a camera, and said server alerts said camera to set a focus parameter to the data reader'"'"'s field of view.

19. A mobile data reader according to claim 16, wherein said data reader is configured to read either information bearing media in one dimensional or two dimensional symbol indicia during times of reading data.

20. A mobile device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said change in the region of interest comprises an off center package load.