Method of monitoring vehicular mileage

• US 6,393,346 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Computracker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Computracker Corporation
• Inventors: Keith, W. Curtis, Evans, Paul H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US09/522,555
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 701/35, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211, 701/201, 701/214, 701/207, 701/208, 340/990, 340/988, 340/438, 342/357.01, 342/357.06
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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 navigational system and a computer-based datalogger are used to store data on the distances traveled by and places visited by a monitored vehicle. The datalogger includes a clock and an on-board memory that can store time-stamped records of the latitude and longitude of places visited by the vehicle. In some such systems the vehicle operator can assign a label or a location classification to selected places that he or she visits. Additionally, in some versions of the system an administrator can use a central computer located at the vehicle'"'"'s home base to assign labels to locations where the vehicle is expected to make a stop. The central computer generates a map-like graphical output that displays a point corresponding to each of the places visited. This display may also show the time spent at each place visited during an operational period.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a trip traveled by a vehicle having a base computer from a fixed base to a plurality of destinations, the vehicle carrying monitoring equipment that includes a navigational receiver for receiving location data identifying the location of the vehicle, and means for storing data, including the received location data and the time it was received, in a log file, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) driving the vehicle away from the fixed base;

(b) inputting a waypoint identifier representing a destination into the monitoring equipment;

(c) storing the waypoint identifier, the location data received at the time the waypoint identifier was inputted, and the time the location data was received in the log file as a record;

(d) starting a clock at the time location data is received;

(e) storing the received location data and the time it was received in the log file as a record, after the clock has run for a predetermined time period without input of a waypoint identifier;

(f) using the stored log records to calculate a sequence of destinations at which the vehicle stopped for longer than a predetermined minimum time interval and calculate the corresponding distances between the sequential destinations.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after step (f), the step of (g) using the stored log records to identifier associated therewith, or the distance between two destinations having waypoint identifier associated therewith, or the distance between tow destinations having waypoint identifiers associated therewith, as a trip of a first type.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after step (f), the steps of:

(g) using the stored log records to identify each distance between the fixed base and a destination having a waypoint identifier associated therewith, or the distance between two destinations having waypoint identifiers associated therewith, as a trip of a first type;

(h) using the stored log records to identify each distance between the fixed base and a destination not having a waypoint identifier, or the distance between two destinations wherein one of them does not have a waypoint identifier, as a trip of a second type;

(i) generating a graphic representation depicting each of the trips of the first type in a first fashion, and each of the trips of the second type in a second fashion.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first fashion graphical representation comprises a line having a first color and the second fashion graphical representation comprises a line having a second different color.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of calculating the amount of time that exceeded the predetermined time period the vehicle was at each of the destinations having waypoint identifiers.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing textural data inputted into the monitoring equipment.