Odometer Patents (Class 702/165)
  • Patent number: 11847862
    Abstract: In one embodiment an inactive status indication and one or more exception criteria are received from a computing device of a driver associated with a transportation service. A transportation request from a passenger associated with the transportation service is received. In response to a determination based on information included in the transportation request that the exception criteria is met, transportation request is directed to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Talmon Marco, Igor Magazinik
  • Patent number: 11551272
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a system or platform with machine learning capabilities configured to accurately predict in real-time a depreciation factor of a vehicle associated with a customer and further accurately predict a present value of the vehicle based at least in part on card transaction data associated with the customer. Based on one or more factors, such as a determination that the present value of the vehicle falls below a predefined threshold value, one or more auto financing products may be generated and provided to the customer by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Viraj Chaudhary, Cruz Vargas, Jennifer Kwok
  • Patent number: 10899338
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle and method for controlling the same, by which a driving condition of the vehicle is determined and the distance to empty (DTE) of the vehicle is estimated based on the driving condition, thereby providing the driver with more accurate and practical DTE. The vehicle includes a power source that supplies power to a vehicle and a sensor that detects a driving condition of the vehicle. A controller estimates the DTE of the vehicle based on the detected driving condition and the power, and outputs the DTE of the vehicle through an output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kyujin Lee
  • Patent number: 10154509
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a group call method and device. The method includes: configuring a group context for a user equipment according to channel resource information or according to network side capability information and channel resource information; sending a message carrying a group call parameter in the group context to the user equipment, where the group call parameter is used to receive a group call message and send a response; sending a group call message to the user equipment according to the group context; and receiving a response, to the group call message, sent by the user equipment according to the group call parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yue Li, Zhenxing Hu, Song Zhu
  • Patent number: 10104094
    Abstract: An Electric Control Unit (ECU) device connected to an on-vehicle network and a network outside a vehicle. The ECU generating an ECU receiver code using an encryption key upon receipt of a message data frame, the encryption key being shared among ECUs communicable with the ECU, successfully authenticating the message data frame received the ECU, when the ECU receiver code matches a receiver code extracted from the message data frame received by the ECU, and when the message data frame received by the ECU is successfully authenticated, generate an ECU transmitter code using the encryption key, and transmit a message data frame that includes the generated ECU transmitter code to the on-vehicle network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Ichihara
  • Patent number: 9721306
    Abstract: A data linkage support system is disclosed that includes a storage device storing a process object table and a specification table, and an arithmetic device that displays a screen including display of a data item prescribed by specification information of the specification table and an item selection interface accepting selection of a corresponding data item in the process object table to be correlated with the data item and that correlates the corresponding data item selected in the item selection interface with the data item prescribed by the specification information to generate and store a conversion parameter of accounting data between the consolidated subsidiary company and the parent company into the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Sakata, Junichi Morita, Atsushi Aono, Hiroki Saito
  • Patent number: 9361739
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a computer and logic executable by the computer. The logic is configured to read an odometer value from a storage system. The odometer value corresponds to an accrued mileage obtained from an odometer. The accrued mileage is determined at a beginning of a current driving event. The logic is also configured to read an odometer value for the vehicle from another storage system. The odometer value from the other storage system corresponds to an accrued mileage obtained from the storage system at the beginning of a driving event that precedes the current driving event. The logic is further configured to compare the odometer value from the storage system to the odometer value from the other storage system and calculate a reduction value from the difference, upon determining the odometer value from the other storage system is greater than the odometer value from the storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke, Kevin E. Fondaw
  • Patent number: 9141996
    Abstract: A system and method may create auto insurance quotes using data collected from a device that tracks vehicle usage data and other data. Usage data may be tracked by an On Board Diagnostic (OBD) device or other portable computing device such as a smart phone. Based on a received coverage type, the usage data and other data may be analyzed to determine auto insurance quotes. A potential customer may then purchase an auto insurance policy. Once the purchased policy has been determined to have expired, new usage data will be collected, and new quotes will be created for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott T. Christensen, Gregory Hayward, Christopher E. Gay, Steven Cielocha, Todd Binion
  • Patent number: 8731763
    Abstract: A method for controlling battery replacement based on distance data and a system thereof are provided. The method includes: reading current distance data of an electric vehicle, wherein the current distance data indicates the total distance that the electric vehicle has traveled; receiving related recharge information for the electric vehicle submitted by a user, wherein the related recharge information includes a distance account, and the distance account indicates that the user currently adopts a billing policy in which the user is credited with a fixed amount of distance in a fixed period of time; and determining whether to perform an operation of replacing a battery of the electric vehicle according to the distance data and the billing policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Hangzhou Electric Power Bureau, Hangzhou Da You Science Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin Cai, Quan Wang, Fan Zhang, Liang Nie, Zhengxian Zheng, Bo Li
  • Patent number: 8712725
    Abstract: One disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically measure amounts of time taken by the user to complete respective distance intervals. During the outing, data representing the automatically measured amounts of time may be automatically stored in memory of the least one device. Another disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically identify occasions on which a user completes respective distance intervals. During the outing, the at least one device may display at least one of an average pace of the user since a most recently completed distance interval, an average speed of the user since the most recently completed distance interval, and a projected time to complete a current distance interval based on monitored performance since the most recently completed distance interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Thomas P. Blackadar
  • Publication number: 20120179420
    Abstract: A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Gilman, Paul Aldighieri, David L. Watson, Craig Sandvig, Leslie Bodnar, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Angela L. Watson
  • Publication number: 20120158356
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a system and related method of validating a distance based on a plurality of sensor measurements in a vehicle. A tamper-proof odometer system may comprise an odometer and a tamper-proof sensor that independently determine distances based on measurements of vehicle components. The tamper-proof sensor may maintain a non-modifiable count based on the angular rotation of a target wheel from which to calculate a vehicle's distance traveled. An odometer may maintain a count based on the rotation of a wheel mounted to the transmission. An electronic control unit (ECU) or dashboard control unit (DCU) may compare the distance derived from the odometer with the distance derived from the tamper-proof sensor by comparing the error to a defined threshold. When the error value is above the defined threshold, this may indicate that one or more of the components of the odometer system have been manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: NXP. B.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Prochaska, Nils Kolbe
  • Patent number: 8078426
    Abstract: A display system for exercise equipment in accordance with the present invention includes a processor, a memory, a metric sensor and a metric display. The memory in communication with the processor. The metric sensor operably coupled to the processor. The metric sensor senses an extent of a metric of a user of the exercise equipment. The metric display is operably coupled to the metric sensor and displays the user metric in a generally oscillating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Pipinich, Robert Silbernagel, Sean Horita
  • Publication number: 20110205012
    Abstract: A system and method for determining characteristics of a physical environment with simple motion patterns are provided. A plurality of raw orientation readings are received from a simple motion pattern. A distribution of possible wall orientations upon each raw reading is determined. Wall direction is determined as the mean value of the distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Qingfeng Huang, Ying Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110166825
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the mileage of a tire, include measuring a first current mileage over a limited period a first time, measuring a second current mileage over a limited period a second time, providing a measurement-free rest period between the first measurement and the second measurement, and estimating the mileage during the rest period on the basis of the first current mileage and/or the second current mileage. In addition, the method is repeated, with the already performed second measurement replacing the first measurement. Since a supply of power is not needed or at least can be significantly reduced during the rest period, the power requirement for mileage determination during the life of the tire can be significantly reduced, which allows simplified supply of power for mileage determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: STEFAN KAMMANN
  • Publication number: 20110161037
    Abstract: An inline inspection system and method for calibrating an acoustic monitoring structure installed along a pipe. The system includes a pipe inspection vehicle; a microprocessor configured to attach a time stamp to a measured distance traveled by the pipe inspection vehicle; an acoustic source attached to the pipe inspection vehicle and configured to generate sound waves inside the pipe, the sound waves having predetermined frequencies and predetermined amplitudes; plural sensors disposed along the pipe and configured to record time of arrivals and intensities of the sound waves generated by the acoustic source; and a processing unit configured to communicate with the plural sensors and receive the time of arrivals, intensities and frequencies of the sound waves from the plural sensors. The processing unit calibrates the acoustic monitoring structure by calculating a distance between the acoustic source and a first sensor of the plural sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Jeff Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7962312
    Abstract: A method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically measure amounts of time taken by the user to complete respective distance intervals. During the outing, data representing the automatically measured amounts of time may be automatically stored in memory of the least one device. Another method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically identify occasions on which a user completes respective distance intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Thomas P. Blackadar
  • Publication number: 20100211354
    Abstract: An apparatus to acquire 3-dimensional geographical information of an underground pipe includes an in-pipe transfer unit which moves along the inside of the underground pipe, a sensing unit which senses 3-dimensional location information of the in-pipe transfer unit, and an information storage unit which stores a value measured by the sensing unit. Accordingly, the depth at which the underground pipe is located as well as 2-dimensional location information of the underground pipe is stored in the information storage unit so that maintenance and repair of the underground pipe can be carried out with greater efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Hyuk-sung Park, Kyung-Soo Min, Sang-Bong Park, Dong-Hyun Kim, Mun-Suk Cheon, Jum-Soo Sun, Hyun-Seok Yang, Dong-Jun Hyun, Jing-Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7761256
    Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing vibrations of a variable speed rotating body. The method includes producing a signal that is proportional to an acceleration of the rotating body and producing a plurality of pulses. Each pulse represents a revolution of the rotating body and is indicative of a vibration sample at a rotational position of the rotating body. The signal is converted to a numeric value that is indicative of a vibrational amplitude of the rotating body. The plurality of pulses are converted to revolution time periods indicative of a rotational rate of the rotating body. The method also includes producing a harmonic vibrational amplitude at a harmonic of the rotational rate of the rotating body, and representing a phase of the harmonic vibrational amplitude relative to the rotational position of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Henry Studer, John Lynn Abbott
  • Patent number: 7617071
    Abstract: A user in locomotion during an outing may support at least one device to automatically measure amounts of time taken by the user to complete one or more distance intervals. The user device may automatically identify occasions on which a user completes respective distance intervals. The user device may display at least one of an average pace of the user, an average speed of the user, and a projected time to complete a current distance interval based on monitored performance, each measured since the most recently completed distance interval. The device may also monitor a distance traveled by the user. The user device may determine a remaining distance to be traveled to complete one of the specified goal distances for the outing and a calculated fraction of the specified goal distance for the outing. Data relating to the calculations may be received by a user device input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Thomas P. Blackadar
  • Publication number: 20090150118
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a secondary mileage estimate for a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes measuring a travel speed of the vehicle over a period of time; integrating the current speed over said period of time to generate a secondary mileage estimate; and at least one of storing said secondary mileage estimate or transmitting said secondary mileage estimate to a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Reza Naima
  • Patent number: 7529612
    Abstract: A speedometer includes a function storage device, which has stored therein four conversion functions, a selector, which provides four options corresponding to the four conversion functions in the function storage device, and a microprocessor, which counts pulse signals sent by the sensor device of the motor vehicle to obtain a counted total value, selects the corresponding conversion function from the function storage device corresponding to the option selected through the selector according to the quantity of poles (two, four, eight or sixteen) on the drive shaft of the motor vehicle, and puts the counted total value into the selected conversion function for calculation to obtain a car speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Sin Etke Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Rong Chen, Chun-Chung Lee, Cheng-Hung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080294312
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at securely calculating and storing odometer data associated with a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that checks the integrity of odometer data being received from a vehicle's engine. More specifically, the method includes receiving a first and second engine odometer values for an engine. Then, these odometer values are compared to determine whether data indicative of tampering was received. In this regard, if data indicative of tampering was received, aspects of the present invention adjust the official vehicle odometer value to account for the tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Ian David O'Connor, Martin Jay Caspe-Detzer, Ted Joseph Scherzinger, William Michael Creel, Wayne Michael Winch
  • Patent number: 7353137
    Abstract: A shoe-based weight measuring system, comprising: a shoe; one or more weight sensitive detectors constructed and arranged with the shoe to sense weight of a person wearing the shoe and walking or standing; a processor for processing signals from the detectors to determine a weight of the person; a remote receiver; and a communications port for wirelessly communicating the weight to the remote receiver. An on demand weight system, comprising a weight detector coupled with a shoe for sensing weight of a person on the detector, a processor processing information from the detector for determining applied weight, a personal data display, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the applied weight to the data display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: PhatRat Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Burl W. Amsbury, Eric R. Edstrom, Robert Muir Holme, Paul Jonjak, Adrian F. Larkin, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 7050926
    Abstract: In a method of surveying a track (9), a first or mobile measuring vehicle (1) and a second or stationary measuring vehicle (2) are placed at a distance apart from one another on a track section to be measured. A reference line (14) is formed by a laser beam emitted from the stationary measuring vehicle (2). At the start of each measuring cycle, by using a GPS receiver (19), the relative position of the stationary measuring vehicle (2) with reference to a fixedly installed GPS reference station (29) located adjacent to the track section is determined, the said GPS reference station being known within a terrestrial coordinate system. The reference line (14) is aligned with the mobile measuring vehicle (1) on the basis of the determined position data, and the track surveying operation is carried out by advancing the mobile measuring vehicle (1) while changes of the actual track position relative to the reference line (14) are registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 6980923
    Abstract: A system and method to prevent odometer fraud in a vehicle are described, including determining whether the vehicle is driven for a predetermined period of time, such as an hour, and checking whether input to the odometer is consistent with such determination. For example, if an insufficient number of vehicle speed pulses have been received during the period of time that the vehicle has been driven, then it can be concluded that the vehicle speed pulse input has been removed from the odometer and various fraud prevention actions can be taken, such as changing the odometer display to output “ERROR” or disabling the odometer from working, even after the vehicle speed pulse input is reconnected to the odometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Raj Manakkal
  • Patent number: 6912478
    Abstract: A system is provided for the collection of measurements for use by a surface profiling processing scheme. A movable platform is equipped to: (i) generate a measurement of inclination of a surface when the platform is and stationary thereon, (ii) generate measurements of surface curvature as the platform traverses the surface, (iii) monitor distance that the platform traverses during a measurement run, (iv) generate a signal each time the platform traverses a predetermined amount of distance during a measurement run where the signal is such that the user is alerted to stop the platform, (v) collect measurements of curvature while the platform traverses the surface, and (vi) collect measurements of inclination at the starting position, stopping position, and each time the platform is stopped during the measurement run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Allen Face and Company, LC
    Inventor: S. Allen Face, III
  • Patent number: 6856933
    Abstract: A mileage tracking system including an input device mounted in the vehicle for receiving one of a first and second door unlock signals, and a tripmeter. The tripmeter is coupled to the input device and to a vehicle odometer sensor for accumulating a first accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the first door unlock signal, and for accumulating a second accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the second door unlock signal. The tripmeter does not accumulate the first accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the second door unlock signal. The mileage tracking system also preferably includes a display coupled to the tripmeter for selectively displaying the first and second accumulated travel distance. The input device is preferably a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Terry S. Callaghan
  • Publication number: 20040221790
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical odometry are disclosed which inexpensively facilitate diverse applications including indoor/outdoor vehicle tracking in secure areas, industrial and home robot navigation, automated steering and navigation of autonomous farm vehicles, shopping cart navigation and tracking, and automotive anti-lock braking systems. In a preferred low-cost embodiment, a telecentric lens is used with an optical computer mouse chip and a microprocessor. In a two-sensor embodiment, both rotation and translation are accurately measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Sinclair, Pace Gaillard Willisson, Jay Loring Gainsboro, Lee Davis Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6801873
    Abstract: System and method for analyzing an input signal acquired from a physical system with a rotating element. A tachometer signal is received comprising rotation speed information for the rotating element. A time sequence is determined using the tachometer signal, comprising time values for the rotating element at substantially equal angle increments, e.g., by edge detection software or timer/counter. A software-based first digital interpolation filter, e.g., a Cascade-Integrator-Comb filter, is applied to the time sequence, generating a modified time sequence. A digitized data signal is received comprising data for the rotating element at substantially equal time increments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Jin, Shie Qian
  • Patent number: 6772090
    Abstract: An improved vehicle odometer is provided with an encoder and a microcontroller. The encoder has a unique key that configures an encryption algorithm. The encryption algorithm can be in the form of circuitry or software or any combination there between. The encoder receives a increment signal from the vehicle indicating that the vehicle has traveled a pre-determined distance. The encoder then increments the odometer-related value and then encrypts it with the encryption algorithm. The encoder then wraps the encrypted odometer-related value into a data packet with a serial number. Only a suitably equipped computing device, such as a microcontroller, identify and correctly decrypt and process the encrypted odometer-related value, thereby preventing the tampering of the vehicle's odometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Hutton, Fanie Duvenhage
  • Patent number: 6768966
    Abstract: A method for storing odometer reading data in a vehicle having control units which are connected via a data bus. The odometer reading data, which is determined at a particular time by an odometer, is stored in a storage means of a first control unit. This provides an alternative method for tamper-proof storage of odometer reading data and, in particular, improved protection against errors during the transmission of the odometer reading data. The current odometer reading data of at least one further control unit is then stored on the data bus in a storage means. The control units transmit the odometer reading data, which is stored at a particular time, onto the data bus at specific time intervals, and a control unit accepts the odometer reading transmitted onto the data bus if that reading is higher than its stored value, and uses that value for the further counting and storage in the particular control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jörn-Marten Ohle, Martin Rahm, Eckard Unseld
  • Patent number: 6442505
    Abstract: An electronic trip meter for a bicycle is provided. The electronic trip meter for a bicycle includes a signal generator and a main unit. The signal generator is used for generating a signal each time the bicycle travels over a specific distance, and the main unit is used for receiving the signal, evaluating and displaying the riding data, and generating an alert signal to remind the rider to execute a maintenance operation when the riding distance or the riding time exceeds a preset riding distance or a preset riding time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Echowell Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: James Lee
  • Patent number: 6434510
    Abstract: A vehicle mileage tracking system including an input device mounted in the vehicle for receiving one of a first and second door unlock signals, and a vehicle tripmeter. The vehicle tripmeter is coupled to the input device and to a vehicle odometer sensor for accumulating a first accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the first door unlock signal, and for accumulating a second accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the second door unlock signal. The tripmeter does not accumulate the first accumulated travel distance during vehicle travel following receipt by the input device of the second door unlock signal. The vehicle mileage tracking system also preferably includes a display coupled to the vehicle tripmeter for selectively displaying the first and second accumulated travel distance. The input device is preferably a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Terry S. Callaghan
  • Publication number: 20020099517
    Abstract: An improved vehicle odometer is provided with an encoder and a microcontroller. The encoder has a unique key that configures an encryption algorithm. The encryption algorithm can be in the form of circuitry or software or any combination there between. The encoder receives a increment signal from the vehicle indicating that the vehicle has traveled a pre-determined distance. The encoder then increments the odometer-related value and then encrypts it with the encryption algorithm. The encoder then wraps the encrypted odometer-related value into a data packet with a serial number. Only a suitably equipped computing device, such as a microcontroller, identify and correctly decrypt and process the encrypted odometer-related value, thereby preventing the tampering of the vehicle's odometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Hutton Brendon, Duvenhage Fanie
  • Patent number: 6351717
    Abstract: A method for determining measurements of a surface includes determining a trend for a plurality of measurements and determining, for each of at least one of the plurality of measurements, an associated residual between the trend and the measurement and determining, for each of at least one of the associated residuals, an interpolated value for the residual. The method also includes comparing, for each of the at least one associated residuals, the residual to the interpolated value of the residual to determine whether a measurement associated with the residual is anomalous. In response to determining that a measurement associated with the residual is anomalous, the anomalous measurement is discarded. The remaining measurements then represent the surface of interest. The system includes a processor for executing a program of the method. Further, the system includes memory, an input device, and an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 6188972
    Abstract: An integrating device includes: a non-volatile memory for storing a value of an integrated running distance of a vehicle; an arithmetic processor for calculating a new integrated running distance by a signal generated at each predetermined running distance and also by the integrated running distance stored in the non-volatile memory; and a display unit for displaying the integrated running distance. The non-volatile memory stores a positive value lower than a predetermined reference value as an initial value of the integrated running distance, and the arithmetic processing means outputs a value obtained when the predetermined reference value is subtracted from the integrated running distance, to the display means as the integrated running distance in the case where a value of the integrated running distance stored in the non-volatile memory is not less than the predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Kansei Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masakazu Kobayashi, Yoshihito Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6185512
    Abstract: A method for determining measurements of a surface includes determining a trend for a plurality of measurements and determining, for each of at least one of the plurality of measurements, an associated residual between the trend and the measurement and determining, for each of at least one of the associated residuals, an interpolated value for the residual. The method also includes comparing, for each of the at least one associated residuals, the residual to the interpolated value of the residual to determine whether a measurement associated with the residual is anomalous. In response to determining that a measurement associated with the residual is anomalous, the anomalous measurement is discarded. The remaining measurements then represent the surface of interest. The system includes a processor for executing a program of the method. Further, the system includes memory, an input device, and an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 5924057
    Abstract: A method is provided for preventing odometer fraud on a vehicle having a multiplex ring including a plurality of vehicle control modules in electrical communication with each other. The multiplex ring includes a cluster control module with an odometer display. The method includes: a) displaying an odometer mileage variable; b) periodically storing the displayed odometer mileage variable in a non-volatile memory location in the cluster control module; and c) periodically storing the displayed odometer mileage variable in a non-volatile memory location in at least one of the vehicle control modules other than the cluster control module, thereby increasing the level of difficulty of odometer tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Howard A. Kell