Systems and methods for remote vehicle management

• US 20060271246A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vehicle Enhancement Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vehicle Enhancement Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Lawrence, Steven, Bell, Richard, Blaida, Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/140,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271246A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A system is provided that is adapted to be operably connected to a vehicle for use in management of the vehicle. The system includes: a computer; a wireless communication module operably connected to the computer; an audio interface operably connected to the computer; a GPS receiver module operably connected to the computer; at least one vehicle condition sensor operably connected to the computer; and a local control interface operably connected to the computer. According to a first aspect of the invention, the system further includes an engine start/stop controller operably connected to the computer. According to a second aspect of the invention, the system further includes a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) operably connected to the computer. According to a third aspect of the invention, the system further includes a gyroscope module operably connected to the GPS receiver module. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling the engine idle time of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: operatively connecting at least one temperature sensor to measure the temperature of at least one part of the vehicle; operatively connecting the at least one temperature sensor to a computer; operatively connecting an engine start/stop controller to the engine of the vehicle; operatively connecting the engine start/stop controller to the computer; using the computer to start the engine when the at least one temperature sensor reports a temperature that is outside of a settable temperature range; and using the computer to stop the engine when the at least one temperature sensor reports a temperature that is within a settable temperature range.

Claims

1. A system adapted to be operably connected to a vehicle for use in management of the vehicle, the system comprising:

a. a computer;

b. a wireless communication module operably connected to the computer;

c. an audio interface operably connected to the computer;

d. a GPS receiver module operably connected to the computer

e. at least one vehicle condition sensor operably connected to the computer;

f. a local control interface operably connected to the computer; and

g. an engine start/stop controller operably connected to the computer.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a subscriber identity module operably connected to the computer.

3. A system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a gyroscope module operably connected to the GPS receiver module.

4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a gyroscope module operably connected to the GPS receiver module.

5. A system adapted to be operably connected to a vehicle for use in management of the vehicle, the system comprising:

a. a computer;

b. a wireless communication module operably connected to the computer;

c. an audio interface operably connected to the computer;

d. a GPS receiver module operably connected to the computer;

e. at least one vehicle condition sensor operably connected to the computer;

f. a local control interface operably connected to the computer; and

g. a subscriber identity module operably connected to the computer.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising:

an engine start/stop controller operably connected to the computer.

7. A system according to claim 6, further comprising:

a gyroscope module operably connected to the GPS receiver module.

8. A system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a gyroscope module operably connected to the GPS received module.

9. A system adapted to be operably connected to a vehicle for use in management of the vehicle, the system comprising:

a. a computer;

b. a wireless communication module operably connected to the computer;

c. an audio interface operably connected to the computer;

d. a GPS receiver module operably connected to the computer;

e. at least one vehicle condition sensor operably connected to the computer;

f. a local control interface operably connected to the computer; and

g. a gyroscope device operably connected to the GPS receiver module.

10. A system according to claim 9, further comprising:

an engine start/stop controller operably connected to the computer.

11. A system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a subscriber identity module operably connected to the computer.

12. A system according to claim 9, further comprising:

a subscriber identity module operably connected to the computer.

13-19. -19. (canceled)