Motor vehicle data processing apparatus

• US 6,445,985 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Maienberg, Uwe, Bitzer, Rainer, Grosse, Christian, Bauer, Juergen, Bolz, Martin-Peter, Diehl, Udo, Poljansek, Marko, Mayer, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US09/273,183
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/32, 701/35, 701/49, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/5.1, 309/9.1, 309/10.1
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A motor vehicle data processing apparatus includes an operating data acquisition device for acquiring at least one operating data value, in particular engine speed, engine load, and the like, while the vehicle is in operation. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus also includes an operating data processing device for processing the acquired operating data and storing corresponding processed operating data in an associated storage device, and an action determination device for examining the stored processed operating data and determining the need to execute a predetermined action as a function of an examination result according to a predefined criteria.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle data processing apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an operating data acquisition device for acquiring at least one operating data value when a vehicle is operating;

an operating data processing device for processing the at least one acquired operating data value and storing the at least one processed operating data value in a corresponding storage device;

an action determination device for analyzing the at least one stored operating data value and providing an analysis result, the action determination device determining as a function of the analysis result, whether a predetermined action needs to be performed according to a predetermined criteria;

a display device for displaying information for notifying a user of the need to perform the predetermined action; and

an identification device for recording when at least one of at least one engine control device and at least one further control device is replaced.

4. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined action is a vehicle service.

5. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification device identifies at least one of:

the at least one engine control device, the at least one engine control device being is connected to the motor vehicle data processing apparatus, and

the at least one further control device, the at least one further control device being is connected to the motor vehicle data processing apparatus.

6. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one further control device includes a transmission control device.

7. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display device displays data stored in the motor vehicle.

10. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one operating data value includes at least one of an engine speed gradient, an engine speed value, an acceleration, a vehicle speed, a shift frequency and shift ranges.

11. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle data processing apparatus is provided in a dashboard computer.

12. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one operating data value is indicative of at least one of an engine speed and an engine load.

2. A motor vehicle data processing apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an operating data acquisition device for acquiring at least one operating data value when a vehicle is operating;

an operating data processing device for processing the at least one acquired operating data value and storing the at least one processed operating data value in a corresponding storage device;

an action determination device for analyzing the at least one stored operating data value and providing an analysis result, the action determination device determining, as a function of the analysis result, whether a predetermined action needs to be performed according to a predetermined criteria;

a display device for displaying information for notifying a user of the need to perform the predetermined action;

an action recording device recording an execution of the predetermined action in a memory device and resetting the action determination device; and

an access protection device protecting a write access to the memory device using a predetermined authorization function.

3. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the access protection device protects the write access to the memory device as a function of an action record and the at least one stored operating data value.

8. A motor vehicle data processing apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an operating data acquisition device for acquiring at least one operating data value when a vehicle is operating;

an operating data processing device for processing the at least one acquired operating data value and storing the at least one processed operating data value in a corresponding storage device;

an action determination device for analyzing the at least one stored operating data value and providing an analysis result, the action determination device determining, as a function of the analysis result, whether a predetermined action needs to be performed according to a predetermined criteria;

a display device for displaying information for notifying a user of the need to perform the predetermined action; and

a driver identification device identifying a particular driver for generating a driver identification data, the driver identification device enabling the driver identification data to be stored with the at least one operating data value.

9. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

a further apparatus collecting a driver profile as a function of the at least one stored operating data value and the stored driver identification data, wherein the predetermined action includes at least one of;

a preparation of predefined driving recommendations, and an adaptation of the at least one operating data value of at least one engine control device for the particular driver having a predetermined driver profile.

13. A motor vehicle data processing apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

means for acquiring at least one operating data value when a vehicle is operating;

means for processing the at least one acquired operating data value and storing the at least one processed operating data value in a corresponding storage device;

means for analyzing the at least one stored operating data value and providing an analysis result, and for determining as a function of the analysis result whether a predetermined action needs to be performed according to a predetermined criteria;

means for displaying information for notifying a user of the need to perform the predetermined action; and

at least one of;

means for recording when at least one of at least one engine control device and at least one further control device is replaced;

means for recording an execution of the predetermined action in a memory device and for resetting the action determination device;

means for protecting a write access to the memory device using a predetermined authorization function; and

means for identifying a particular driver for generating a driver identification data, and for enabling the driver identification data to be stored with the at least one operating data value.

14. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the motor vehicle data processing apparatus includes the means for recording when at least one of at least one engine control device and at least one further control device is replaced.

15. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the motor vehicle data processing apparatus includes at least one of the means for recording an execution and the means for protecting a write access.

16. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the motor vehicle data processing apparatus includes the means for identifying a particular driver.

17. The motor vehicle data processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the motor vehicle data processing apparatus includes the means for identifying a particular driver and at least one of the means for recording an execution and the means for protecting a write access.