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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system
comprising:
(a) a plurality of sensors positioned for sensing operating parameters of
said vehicle and for generating data signals corresponding to values of
said operating parameters in response thereto;
(b) a data processing and recording device positioned on-board said vehicle
and comprising:
(i) computing means including a central processing unit (CPU) for
processing said data signals;
(ii) program memory storage means for storing an operating program for said
CPU;
(iii) said CPU operating in accordance with said operating program to
compare said operating parameter values to predetermined threshold values
corresponding to each operating parameter and to select said operating
parameter values which exceed their respective threshold values for
processing same in accordance with predetermined criteria as stored in
said program memory storage means;
(iv) data memory storage means for receiving and storing data
representations corresponding to said selected and processed operating
parameter values from said CPU; and
(c) power supply means associated with said vehicle for providing power to
said CPU, said program memory storage means and said data memory storage
means;
(d) a portable data link comprising:
(i) a non-volatile memory of substantially larger memory capacity than said
data memory storage means;
(ii) power generating means, independent of said vehicle, for operating
said non-volatile memory;
(iii) means for connecting said non-volatile memory to said data memory
storage means;
(iv) means for reading the selected, processed and stored data
representations from said data memory storage means into said non-volatile
memory; and
(v) means for disconnecting said non-volatile memory from said data storage
memory means;
(e) a remote computing apparatus comprising:
(i) means for reading said selected, processed and stored data
representations from said non-volatile memory;
(ii) means for analyzing said selected, processed and stored data
representations; and
(iii) means for printing said analyzed data representations.
2. A vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system as
recited in claim 1 wherein said data memory storage means comprises a
random access memory and said non-volatile memory comprises magnetic tape
means.
3. A vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system as
recited in claim 1 wherein said analyzing means of said remote computing
apparatus comprises means for analyzing said selected stored data to
provide a vehicle utilization analysis for printing by said printing
means.
4. A vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system as
recited in claim 1 wherein said CPU is operable in accordance with said
operating program to:
(a) select a first group of operating parameter values which exceed said
threshold values for some of said operating parameters, and select a
second group of said operating parameter values which fall below said
threshold values for others of said operating parameters;
(b) select the maximum operating parameter value among said selected first
group of operating parameter values;
(c) select the minimum operating parameter value among said selected second
group of operating parameter values;
(d) measure the cummulative time intervals during which said operating
values exceed and fall below their respective threshold values; and
(e) count the number of times each operating parameter value exceeds and
falls below its respective threshold value; and
wherein said data memory storage means stores data representations
corresponding to:
(a) said maximum and minimum selected operating parameter values;
(b) said cummulative time interval associated with said selected operating
parameter values; and
(c) the total number of times said selected operating parameter values
exceeds and falls below their respective threshold values.
5. A vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system as
recited in claim 1 wherein said analyzing means of said remote computing
apparatus comprises means for analyzing said selected stored data to
provide a vehicle parameter profile analysis for printing by said printing
means.
6. A method for monitoring, recording and analyzing vehicle data comprising
the steps of:
(a) sensing a plurality of vehicle parameters;
(b) generating data in response to said sensed parameters;
(c) processing said data on-board said vehicle in a data processing means
by comparing said generated data to predetermined threshold values;
(d) powering said data processing means from a vehicle power supply source;
(e) selectively storing said processed data which exceed their respective
threshold values in memory means positioned on-board said vehicle;
(f) reading said selected, stored data from said on-board memory means into
a portable non-volatile memory device;
(g) powering said portable non-volatile memory device by generating
electrical power independently of said vehicle;
(h) removing the non-volatile memory of said non-volatile memory device
from said device;
(i) loading said non-volatile memory into reading means of a remote
computer;
(j) analyzing said selected, stored data in said remote computer; and
(k) printing said analyzed data.
7. A method for monitoring, recording and analyzing vehicle data as recited
in claim 6 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing said selected
stored data for providing a vehicle utilization analysis thereof.
8. A method for monitoring, recording and analyzing vehicle data as recited
in claim 6 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing said selected
stored data for providing a vehicle performance exceptance analysis
thereof.
9. A method for monitoring, recording and analyzing vehicle data as recited
in claim 6 wherein said analyzing step comprises analyzing said selected
stored data for providing a vehicle parameter profile analysis thereof.
10. A device parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system
comprising:
(a) a plurality of sensors positioned for sensing operating parameters of
said device and for generating data signals corresponding to values of
said operating parameters in response thereto;
(b) a data processing and recording device positioned on-board said device
and comprising:
(i) computing means including a central processing unit (CPU) for
processing said data signals;
(ii) program memory storage means for storing an operating program for said
CPU;
(iii) said CPU operating in accordance with said operating program to
compare said operating parameter values to predetermined threshold values
corresponding to each operating parameter and to select said operating
parameter values which exceed their respective threshold values for
processing same in accordance with predetermined criteria as stored in
said program memory storage means;
(iv) data memory storage means for receiving and storing data
representations corresponding to said selected and processed operating
parameter values from said CPU; and
(c) power supply means associated with said device for providing power to
said CPU, said program memory storage means and said data memory storage
means;
(d) a portable data link comprising:
(i) a non-volatile memory of substantially larger memory capacity than said
data memory storage means;
(ii) power generating means, independent of said device, for operating said
non-volatile memory;
(iii) means for connecting said non-volatile memory to said data memory
storage means;
(iv) means for reading the selected, processed and stored data
representations from said data memory storage means into said non-volatile
memory; and
(v) means for disconnecting said non-volatile memory from said data storage
memory means;
(e) a remote computing apparatus comprising:
(i) means for reading said selected stored data representations from said
non-volatile memory;
(ii) means for analyzing said selected stored data representations; and
(iii) means for printing said analyzed data representations.
11. A method of compressing data in a device monitoring and recording
apparatus comprising the steps of:
(a) sensing a plurality of data parameters indicative of operating
conditions of said device;
(b) generating data signals in response to said sensed parameters;
(c) feeding said data signals to computing means having a central
processing unit and memory storage means;
(d) comparing values represented by said sensed data signals to threshold
limits stored in memory storage means of said computing means;
(e) selectively storing in said memory storage means data signals having
values which exceed said threshold limits;
(f) additionally monitoring in said central processing unit the time
interval during which at least two parameters represented by selected data
signals exceed their threshold limits; and
(g) storing values of all of said data signals in said memory storage means
if said monitored time interval exceeds a predetermined criteria.
12. A method of compressing data as recited in claim 11 further comprising
the steps of:
manually operating a switch means for generating a snapshot command signal
to said central processing unit, and
storing all of said data signals in said memory storage means in response
to said snapshot command signal.
13. A vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system
comprising:
(a) a plurality of sensors positioned for sensing operating parameters of
said vehicle and for generating data signals corresponding to values of
said operating parameters in response thereto;
(b) a data processing and recording device positioned on-board said vehicle
and comprising:
(i) computing means including a central processing unit (CPU) for
processing said data signals;
(ii) program memory storage means for storing an operating program for said
CPU;
(iii) said CPU selecting some of said operating parameter values in
accordance with predetermined criteria as stored in said program memory
storage means;
(iv) data memory storage means for receiving and storing data
representations corresponding to said selected operating parameter values
from said CPU; and
(c) power supply means associated with said vehicle for providing power to
said CPU, said program memory storage means and said data memory storage
means;
(d) a manually operable switch positioned on-board said vehicle to generate
a snapshot command signal upon actuation by an operator of said vehicle,
said CPU responsive to said snapshot command signal for immediately
storing data representations of all of said data signals from said
plurality of sensors;
(e) a portable data link comprising:
(i) a non-volatile memory of substantially larger memory capacity than said
data memory storage means;
(ii) power generating means, independent of said vehicle, for operating
said non-volatile memory;
(iii) means for connecting said non-volatile memory to said data memory
storage means;
(iv) means for reading the selected stored data representations from said
data memory storage means into said non-volatile memory;
(v) means for disconnecting said non-volatile memory from said data storage
memory means; and
(vi) said non-volatile memory adapted for removal from said data link; and
(f) a remote computing apparatus comprising:
(i) means for reading said selected stored data representations from said
non-volatile memory;
(ii) means for analyzing said selected stored data representations; and
(iii) means for printing said analyzed data representations. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of data monitoring and recording systems
particularly adapted for use on vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior data recording apparatus has been utilized for recording various
engine parameters for use as diagnostic and maintenance tools for land
vehicles and aircraft. Additionally, recording devices have been utilized
in connection with interstate truck travel to keep track of gasoline
purchases in various states to take advantage of tax rebates and the like.
Representative examples of these prior art devices as shown in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,099,817; 3,964,302; 4,050,295; 3,864,731; 3,938,092; 3,702,989; and
3,792,445. Typically, these prior art devices utilize either singly or in
combination various display means, manual input means, and recording means
in the form of either paper or magnetic tape. In some instances only alarm
indications are provided or pertinent data is displayed as shown, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,050,295 and 3,964,302. In other cases entire
vehicle performance data is recorded as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,099,817. Attempts have been made to reduce the amount of recording and
consequent tape usage by means of hardware and software selective data
recording such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,792,445 and 3,702,989.
A particular disadvantage of these prior art devices is their lack of
versatility with regard to usage and recording of data and a reliance upon
bulky and expensive magnetic or paper tape as a primary recording medium.
Of particular importance in utilizing data vehicle monitoring recording
apparatus is the necessity to keep accurate track of time so that various
malfunctioning engine parameters may be exactly correlated with the time
of occurrence. Although various clocking techniques have been developed in
the prior art, such as, for example, apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,031,363, 4,022,017 and 3,889,461, these systems do not provide the
necessary time tracking accuracy and reliability coupled with power
conservation needs required in land vehicles. In particular, when a
computing means such as a microprocessor is utilized to selectively filter
and store data as well as provide a real time clock function there is a
need for maintaining in high accuracy in the real time clock function
despite inoperability of the microprocessor when the vehicle engine is
turned off. In this connection the prior art has not addressed itself to
the problem of shutting down the microprocessor in an orderly fashion to
protect data being processed in the event of power failure or engine
turnoff.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a versatile
vehicle monitoring and recording system for providing accurate data
parameters useful for record keeping, performance and maintenance
applications.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle monitoring and
recording system utilizing a computing means to read the various input
parameters and selectively store pertinent input parameters in a solid
state memory.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an onboard microprocessor
controlled vehicle monitoring and recording system for selectively
displaying and recording data in a random access memory also located
onboard the vehicle.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide both an automatic and
operator assisted vehicle monitoring and recording system controlled by
microprocessor means for selectively storing sensed data.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a computer controlled
vehicle monitoring and recording system wherein selected data is recorded
in solid state memory means onboard the vehicle. Specifically, a random
access memory may be utilized for storing only data selected by the
central processing unit of the computing means so that selective data
storage is obtained. A further object of the invention is to provide a
portable data link to extract data from the random access memory onto a
magnetic tape. The data link is utilized for extracting data from a large
number of vehicles and thus provides a composite tape for transmittal of
data for processing by a remote control computer.
The invention is further characterized as a device monitoring and recording
system comprising a plurality of sensors for sensing operating parameters
of said device and for generating data signals in response thereto, a data
processing unit for receiving said data signals and comprising a central
processing unit for processing said data signals and a random access
memory storage means for storing said processed data signals. The system
further comprises a portable data link comprising a magnetic tape drive
unit, means for powering said magnetic tape drive unit and means for
connecting said data link to said data processing unit for reading data
from said random access memory storage means.
Additionally, there is provided in accordance with the teachings of the
invention a method of compressing data in a device monitoring and
recording apparatus comprising the steps of: sensing a plurality of data
parameters indicative of operating conditions of said device, generating
data signals in response to said sensed parameters, feeding said data
signals to computing means having a central processing unit and memory
storage means, comparing said sensed data signals to threshold limits
stored in memory storage units of said computing means, selectively
storing in said memory storage means data signals which exceed said
threshold limits, additionally comparing at least two parameters
represented by selected data signals to a predetermined criteria, and
storing all of said data signals if said criteria is met.
In accordance with the principles of the invention there is provided a
vehicle parameter monitoring, recording and analyzing system comprising a
plurality of sensors, a data processing and recording device, a portable
data link and a remote computing apparatus. The plurality of sensors are
positioned for sensing operating parameters of the vehicle and for
generating data signals in response thereto. The data processing and
recording device is positioned on-board the vehicle and comprises a
computing means including a central processing unit for processing the
data signals, a program memory storage means for storing an operating
program from the central processing unit, the central processing unit
selecting some of the data signals in accordance with predetermined
criteria as stored in the program memory storage means and a data memory
storage means for receiving and storing the selected data signals from the
central processing unit. The portable data link comprises a non-volatile
memory of substantially larger memory capacity than the data memory
storage means, a power generating means independent of the vehicle for
operating the non-volatile memory, means for connecting the non-volatile
memory to the data storage means, means for reading the selected stored
data signals from the data storage means into the non-volatile memory,
means for disconnecting the non-volatile memory from the data storage
means, said non-volatile memory storage means adapted for removal from the
data link. The remote computing apparatus comprises means for reading the
selected stored data signals of the non-volatile memory, means for
analyzing the selected stored data signals and means for printing the
analyzed data.
There is also disclosed a method of monitoring, recording and analyzing
vehicle data comprising the steps of: sensing a plurality of vehicle
parameters, generating data signals in response to the sensed parameters,
processing the data on-board the vehicle, selectively storing the
processed data in memory means positioned on-board the vehicle, reading
the selected stored data from the on-board memory means into a portable
non-volatile memory device, powering the portable non-volatile memory
device by generating electrical power independently of said vehicle,
removing the non-volatile memory of said non-volatile memory device from
the device, loading the non-volatile memory into reading means of the
remote computer, analyzing the selected stored data in the remote computer
and printing the analyzed data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects of the invention will become clear in connection
with the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of the vehicle monitoring and recording
system;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the on-board subsystem in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the analog interface;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the digital interface;
FIG. 5 shows a detailed schematic diagram of the digital interface and the
real time clock circuit;
FIG. 6 is a block schematic diagram of the power supply circuit; and
FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic diagram of the voltage sensing and control
circuit of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
System Overview
A block diagram of the vehicle monitoring and recording system 1 in
accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The system has
three major components, namely, an on-board subsystem 2, a portable data
link 4 and a remote data processing subsystem 6. The on-board subsystem 2
is indicated as being housed within a vehicle such as the cab of truck 8
and is seen to comprise a plurality of sensors generally indicated at 10,
a data recorder 12 and a data monitor 14. The sensors 10 are positioned in
various locations throughout the vehicle and typically provide both
analogue and digital signals to the data recorder 12. The data recorder 12
is in turn interconnected to the data monitor 14 so that the operator of
the vehicle may have access to the sensor data on a real time basis. An
input means such as a plurality of switches 16 are provided on the data
monitor to allow the operator to select particular data for display on
display means 18. The display means 18 may comprise, for example, a seven
segment LED display. The data recorder 12 may also comprise a plurality of
switches 20 for manual input of data to be recorded. Switches 20 may in
fact comprise an entire keyboard so that digital data or coded data may be
fed into the data recorder 12. For example, when the vehicle passes across
a state line the operator may enter a code representing the new state
entered which will automatically effect recordation of the time of day and
odometer reading to form a record for tax rebate purposes. Further,
switches 20 may comprise designated input keys such as a "snapshot" key 22
which effectively enables the data recorder to record all sensed data at
that particular instant of time. In this manner, the vehicle operator may
override automatic data recording at will as, for example, upon the
occurrence of an abnormal operating condition. The snapshot key 22 thus
permits recording of data at the instant the operator notices an abnormal
condition, thus permitting a correlation of the time at which the
condition occurred thus allowing for proper reconstruction of the
malfunction during off-line processing. The data monitor 14 is not
required for operation of the system 1 and indeed, the apparatus may be
employed only utilizing the sensors 10 and data recorder 12.
The portable data link 4 is utilized to extract data from the data recorder
12 and store same onto a magnetic tape means 24. A flexible cable 26 is
provided with pin connected terminals to allow simple connect/disconnect
capabilities of the data link 4 to the data recorder 12. Transmission of
data from the data recorder 12 to the data link 4 is achieved by a read
command provided by switches 20. The data link 4 may also comprise display
means generally indicated at 28 for displaying data stored on the magnetic
tape means 24. Typically, the data link 4 operates on its own battery
source (not shown).
Vehicle data on tape 24 is transmitted to the remote computing subsystem 6
for detailed processing of the data originally stored in memory means of
the data recorder 12. A number of different paths for data processing are
illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the magnetic tape means 24 may be fed
to input means of a central computer 30 where data may be sorted and
formated for printing on printer 32. Alternately, the data from the
magnetic tape means 24 may be fed into input means of a diagnostic console
34 where the data may be sequentially viewed on display means thereof. For
example, data associated with a particular day's operation may be scanned
without any prior sorting and utilized by mechanics as a diagnostic tool.
The diagnostic console 34 may additionally be utilized to provide the tape
data to a printer 36 to provide hard copies of the daily operating
parameters. Yet additionally, data from the magnetic tape means 24 may be
applied to a modem communication link M for transmission over telephone
lines T for subsequent feeding to a distantly located computer 38 and
printer 40. It is clear that the cable 26 of the data link may alternately
serve as a means for reading the data from tape means 24 into any of the
processing channels set forth in FIG. 1.
The particular type of data that may be provided as an output from the
remote data processing subsystem 6 is illustrated hereinbelow. A
particular example of a truck fleet report may comprise three major
sections, namely, a vehicle utilization report, a performance exception
report and a parameter profile report. The vehicle utilization report may
comprise a summary of information which is related to the modes of vehicle
use over the reporting period and is typically reported on a daily basis.
Such information may be provided, as, for example, vehicle mileage, fuel
consumption, engine operating hours, average MGP, average speed etc. The
information thus provided at the output of the remote data processing
subsystem 6 for this type of report is illustrated in Table I. Thus, it is
seen that on Apr. 20, 1977 vehicle No. 1234 consumed 0.1 of a gallon of
fuel when the engine was in idle and 0.3 of a gallon of fuel when the
engine was operating at road speeds. The relative inactivity of the
vehicle on the day in question is thus easily apparent. In this fashion, a
truck fleet manager has easy access of the daily activity of each of a
large number of vehicles. Total figures for the period of time in question
may also be provided. Vehicle status codes are used to indicate which
sensed parameters exceeded their corresponding threshold values and the
correspondence of the vehicle status code with the sensed operating
parameters are indicated in Table II.
TABLE I
__________________________________________________________________________
Vehicle No. 1234 Vehicle Trip Report 4/20/77 Thru 4/22/77
ENG FUEL
TOTAL
AVE AVE VEHICLE
DATE HRS GAL MILES
SPD MPG STATUS
__________________________________________________________________________
4/20/77
Idle
.21 .1
WED Road
.12 .3 .3 2.5 1.2 --
4/21/77
Idle
6.10
1.9
Road
17.67
211.6
951.0
53.8 4.5 D
4/22/77
Idle
3.15
1.0
Road
7.49
79.2
405.8
54.2 5.1 DE
__________________________________________________________________________
Total
9.46
25.28
294.1
1357.1
53.7 4.6 DE
__________________________________________________________________________
A representative example of the performance exception report is shown in
Table II. In this type of report only abnormal vehicle operating
parameters are recorded. For example, on Apr. 21, 1977 the battery voltage
was seen to reach a peak value of 13.5 volts which is above the normal or
threshold value in this case of 12.7 volts. The number of times the
battery exceede | | |
