System for monitoring and inspecting vehicle emissions levels for compliance
First Claim
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1. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority, comprising:
- acquiring signals from engine operation of the vehicle with one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle, the signals indicative of emissions level while the vehicle is in motion;
providing the signals to a processing module positioned on the vehicle for data accumulation and to generate emissions reporting information, where the signals are tracked to determine whether the emission level has been increasing toward a predetermined emission limit;
receiving at an antenna on the vehicle an identifying radio signal through the radio communications system, unique to the authority or an inspection facility operating on behalf of the authority and being approached by the vehicle, the identifying radio signal including information indicating the facility being approached by the vehicle or the authority to which a compliance report is to be sent and by which designation of one or more sets of protocols or other requirements is determinable, the sets of protocols or other requirements taken from the group consisting of;
(i) a protocol defining how signals are to be processed for confirming emission level compliance for the vehicle while traveling over the roadway,(ii) a protocol for identifying a vehicle enrolled to automatically send radio communication, and(iii) a report format for transmitting emissions information; and
transmitting the emissions reporting information through a radio communications system to a network server for acceptance or approval of vehicle compliance with an emission level requirement of an inspection or compliance authority.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for reporting data based on monitored emissions levels. An exemplary system automatically provides emissions level data acquired from an engine operating in a roadway vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. Data is made available for vehicle approval by a roadway inspection authority. For example, NOx emissions may be monitored with a sensor positioned in the engine exhaust flow path. Embodiments of the invention provide solutions to reduce time delays associated with inspections.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority, comprising:
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acquiring signals from engine operation of the vehicle with one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle, the signals indicative of emissions level while the vehicle is in motion; providing the signals to a processing module positioned on the vehicle for data accumulation and to generate emissions reporting information, where the signals are tracked to determine whether the emission level has been increasing toward a predetermined emission limit; receiving at an antenna on the vehicle an identifying radio signal through the radio communications system, unique to the authority or an inspection facility operating on behalf of the authority and being approached by the vehicle, the identifying radio signal including information indicating the facility being approached by the vehicle or the authority to which a compliance report is to be sent and by which designation of one or more sets of protocols or other requirements is determinable, the sets of protocols or other requirements taken from the group consisting of; (i) a protocol defining how signals are to be processed for confirming emission level compliance for the vehicle while traveling over the roadway, (ii) a protocol for identifying a vehicle enrolled to automatically send radio communication, and (iii) a report format for transmitting emissions information; and transmitting the emissions reporting information through a radio communications system to a network server for acceptance or approval of vehicle compliance with an emission level requirement of an inspection or compliance authority. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority, comprising:
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acquiring signals from engine operation of the vehicle with one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle, the signals indicative of emissions level while the vehicle is in motion; providing the signals to a processing module positioned on the vehicle for data accumulation and to generate emissions reporting information; providing a statistically based test using acquired signal data and an emission compliance limit to determine whether a compliance determination is within error limits or whether a determination of non-compliance is within error limits; receiving at an antenna on the vehicle an identifying radio signal through the radio communications system, unique to the authority or an inspection facility operating on behalf of the authority and being approached by the vehicle, the identifying radio signal including information indicating the facility being approached by the vehicle or the authority to which a compliance report is to be sent and by which designation of one or more sets of protocols or other requirements is determinable, the sets of protocols or other requirements taken from the group consisting of; (i) a protocol defining how signals are to be processed for confirming emission level compliance for the vehicle while traveling over the roadway, (ii) a protocol for identifying a vehicle enrolled to automatically send radio communication, and (iii) a report format for transmitting emissions information; and transmitting the emissions reporting information through a radio communications system to a network server for acceptance or approval of vehicle compliance with an emission level requirement of an inspection or compliance authority.
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9. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority, comprising:
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acquiring signals from engine operation of the vehicle with one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle, the signals indicative of emissions level while the vehicle is in motion; providing the signals to a processing module positioned on the vehicle for (i) detecting and providing alert information to a driver or owner operator of the vehicle indicating that the vehicle is trending toward an out of compliance condition, (ii) data accumulation and (iii) to generate emissions reporting information; receiving at an antenna on the vehicle an identifying radio signal through the radio communications system, unique to the authority or an inspection facility operating on behalf of the authority and being approached by the vehicle, the identifying radio signal including information indicating the facility being approached by the vehicle or the authority to which a compliance report is to be sent and by which designation of one or more sets of protocols or other requirements is determinable, the sets of protocols or other requirements taken from the group consisting of; (i) a protocol defining how signals are to be processed for confirming emission level compliance for the vehicle while traveling over the roadway, (ii) a protocol for identifying a vehicle enrolled to automatically send radio communication, (iii) a report format for transmitting emissions information; and transmitting the emissions reporting information through a radio communications system to a network server for acceptance or approval of vehicle compliance with an emission level requirement of an inspection or compliance authority. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority, comprising:
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acquiring signals from engine operation of the vehicle with one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle, the signals indicative of emissions level while the vehicle is in motion; providing the signals to a processing module positioned on the vehicle (i) for data accumulation, including periodically storing values of signals while the engine is running and (ii) for periodically processing acquired signal values to calculate running averages, maximum values, minimum values or variances over multiple time periods and (iii) to generate emissions reporting information; receiving at an antenna on the vehicle an identifying radio signal through the radio communications system, unique to the authority or an inspection facility operating on behalf of the authority and being approached by the vehicle, the identifying radio signal including information indicating the facility being approached by the vehicle or the authority to which a compliance report is to be sent and by which designation of one or more sets of protocols or other requirements is determinable, the sets of protocols or other requirements taken from the group consisting of; (i) a protocol defining how signals are to be processed for confirming emission level compliance for the vehicle while traveling over the roadway, and (ii) a protocol for identifying a vehicle enrolled to automatically send radiocommunication, (iii) a report format for transmitting emissions information; and transmitting the emissions reporting information through a radio communications system to a network server for acceptance or approval of vehicle compliance with an emission level requirement of an inspection or compliance authority. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority or an inspection facility operating on behalf of the authority and being approached by the vehicle, comprising:
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acquiring signals from engine operation of the vehicle with one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle, the signals indicative of emissions levels while the vehicle is in motion; providing the signals to a processing module positioned on the vehicle for data accumulation and to generate emissions reporting information, including providing multiple types of compliance reports to suit varying requirements among multiple authorities or political units, where selection of a compliance report is based on an identifier for the authority or the inspection facility; receiving at an antenna on the vehicle an identifying radio signal through the radio communications system, the signal comprising the identifier, unique to the authority or the inspection facility, the identifying radio signal including information indicating the facility being approached by the vehicle or the authority to which a compliance report is to be sent and by which designation of one or more sets of protocols or other requirements is determinable, the sets of protocols or other requirements taken from the group consisting of; (i) a protocol defining how signals are to be processed for confirming emission level compliance for the vehicle while traveling over the roadway, (ii) a protocol for identifying a vehicle enrolled to automatically send radio communication, and (iii) a report format for transmitting emissions information; and transmitting the emissions reporting information through a radio communications system to a network server for acceptance or approval of vehicle compliance with an emission level requirement of an inspection or compliance authority. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification