Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SYSTEM FOR RECORDING EXPENSE-TYPE INFORMATION
IN COMBINATION ~ITH INFORMATION PERTAINING TO
ONE OR MORE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF A VEXICLE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
S This invention relates to a system for use in
combination with a vehicle to monitor and record certain
information pertaining to operation of the vehicle along
with other information manually input by the operator,
such as for use in tracking expenses.
Generally, it is beneficial for persons who use
a vehicle in connection with a business to keep track of
the number of miles traveled by the vehicle for business
purposes. ~hen the vehicle owner is an individual using
his or her personal vehicle for business purposes, this
information can typically be used to generate a deduction
on the person's income tax returns. When the owner of
the vehicle is an employer, it is important to keep track
of the amount of miles logged by the employee both for
business and personal purposes.
In the past, a typical method of keeping track
of business and personal use of a vehicle has been to
maintain a written log in which the operator enters by
hand the date of operation and information allowing the
operator to calculate the number of business miles trav-
eled, typically start and stop readings taken from the
vehicle's odometer. One drawback to this type of system
is ~hat it relies on the operator to accurately record
the necessary information. Another drawback is that, if
the operator wishes to keep track of other expenses, such
as meals, lodging, entertainment or the like, the opera-
tor must keep a separate log of such information, thus
generating separate sets of records for related expense
information. Another drawback is that the operator must
diligently record expense information including vehicle
mileage in order to keep an accurate record, which is
often easily overlooked.
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It is an object of the present invention to
provide a system for monitoring and recording information
pertaining to vehicle operation for assisting an operator
to accurately track and record business or personal use
of the vehicle. It is a further object of the invention
to provide a system enabling the operiàtor to input and
record other information, such as expenses pertaining to
meals, lodging and entertainment. It is a further object
of the invention to provide such a system which is user-
friendly, making it as easy as possible for an operatorto provide an accurate and reliable record of information
pertaining to expenses and vehicle operation. A further
object of the invention is to provide such a system which
is relatively simple in its components and operation, yet
which provides highly satisfactory performance.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention,
a vehicle monitoring and data recording system includes a
vehicle interface unit adapted for interconnection with
the electrical system of the vehicle for sensing one or
more operating characteristics of the vehicle, and for
outputting a first set of data signals indicative of the
sensed vehicle operating characteristic. The system
further includes a portable recorder unit adapted for
removable interconnection with the vehicle interface
unit. The portable recorder unit includes a memory, an
input for receiving the first set of data signals from
the vehicle interface unit, and a manually operable data
entry device. The input provides the first set of data
signals to the memory, and the manually operable data
entry device allows an operator to input data, to thereby
output a second set of data signals to the memory in
response thereto. A processor is interconnected with the
memory, and the recorder unit is disconnectable from the
vehicle interface unit and connectable to an external
device, such as a computer or printer, for outputting to
the external device a third set of data signals from the
memory which includes the first and second sets of data
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signals. The vehicle interface unit is in the form of a
module interconnected via a series of buses with the
electrical system of the vehicle, with each bus providing
a signal to the module indicative of the status of one of
the vehicle's operating characteristics. The vehicle
interface unit includes a processor interconnected with
the buses for processing signals provided thereby and for
generating the first set of data signals in response
thereto. The vehicle interface unit may be interconnect-
ed with the ignition system of the vehicle, so as toprevent vehicle ignition unless the portable recorder
unit is connected to the vehicle interface unit. The
vehicle interface unit receives signals from the vehicle
indicative of distance traveled by the vehicle, such as
the signals provided to the vehicle's odometer. The
manually operable data entry device is preferably in the
form of a keypad, which allows an operator to input a
signal to the memory indicative of the business or per-
sonal nature of the vehicle mileage. In addition to
vehicle mileage, the vehicle interface unit may be inter-
connected with the electrical system of the vehicle to
monitor other vehicle op~rating characteristics, such as
brake operation, directional signal operation, seat belt
use and headlight operation.
The invention further contemplates a method of
monitoring vehicle operating characteristics and record-
ing data. The method involves sensing one or more vehi-
cle operating characteristics, and generating a first set
of data signals indicative of the one or more sensed
vehicle operating characteristics. The first set of data
signals are stored in a portable recorder unit removably
interconnected with the vehicle. The method further
involves generating a second set of data signals by
manual operation of a data entry device; storing the
second set of data signals in the portable recorder unit;
disconnecting the portable recorder unit from the vehicle
and interconnecting the portable recorder unit with an
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external device such as a printer or computer; and out-
putting to the external device a third set of data sig-
nals which includes the first and second sets of data
signals. The particulars of the method are substantially
in accordance with the foregoing summary.
Various other features, objects and advantages
of the invention will be made apparent from the following
description taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently
contemplated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the
vehicle monitoring and data recording system of the
invention, showing the vehicle interface unit intercon-
nected with the vehicle's electrical system and the
portable recorder unit interconnected with the vehicle
interface unit;
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation showing
interconnection of the portable recorder unit with an
external device such as a computer or printer;
Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the
components of the vehicle interface unit of the system of
Fig. l; and
Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the
components of the portable recorder unit of the system of
~ig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Fig. 1, a vehicle monitoring and
data recording system constructed according to the inven-
tion generally includes a portable data recorder unit
(DRU) 20 and a stationary vehicle interface unit (VIU) 22
connected via a connector 24 with the electrical system
of a vehicle. Typically, the vehicle's electrical system
includes an interface connector, shown generally at 26,
located within the interior compartment of the vehicle.
Interface connector 26 includes a series of terminals to
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which vehicle interface unit 22 is connected via a series
of buses interconnected with connector 24. Such termi-
nals include a power terminal 28 which supplies power to
VIU 22 from the vehicle via a bus 30; a ground terminal
32 providing ground potential to VIU 22 through connector
24 and a bus 34; a start terminal 36 and a start enable
terminal 38 providing signals to VIU 22 through connector
24 and buses 40, 42, respectively; an ignition terminal
44 providing an ignition signal to VIU 22 through connec-
tor 24 and a bus 46, and operating state terminals 48,
50, 52 and 54 providing input signals to VIU 22 through
connector 24 and buses 56, 58, 60 and 62, respectively.
State inputs A-D at terminals 48-54 may be that such as
the vehicle's headlights, directional signals, brakes,
seat belt indicators or the like.
Vehicle interface connector 26 further includes
an odometer sensor 64 which provides pulses to a terminal
66 which are communicated via a bus 68 and connector 24
to VIU 22. Each pulse generated by sensor 64 is indica-
tive of a predetermined distance traveled by the vehicle,
which enables the vehicle odometer to output a mileage
reading and the vehicle speedometer to output an instan-
taneous indication of the speed at which the vehicle is
traveling.
DRU 20 includes a housing 70 having a front
panel 72. A standard QWE~TY keypad, shown generally at
74 is mounted to front panel 72, along with a numeric
keypad 76, a power key 78, an "enter" key 80, and a
personal/business/commute (P/B/C) key 82. A series of
cursor movement keys 84, 86, 88 and 90 are also mounted
to housing front panel 72. A display 92, such as an LCD
display, is mounted to housing front panel 72 above
keypad 74.
DRU 20 and VIU 22 are interconnected with each
other via a conventional six-wire RJll/14 shielded power
and communications cable 94. RJll/14 connectors or ports
96, 98 are provided on VIU 22 and DP~U 20, respectively,
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for receiving the ends of cable 94. Cable 94 can be
disconnected from either or both of connectors 96, 98,
enabling DRU 20 to be removably connected to VIU 22.
As shown in Fig. 2, DRU 20-~an be interconnect-
ed with external devices, such as a computer 100 or a
printer 102, equipped with communication ports lj4, 106,
respectively. Computer 100 and printer 102 are adapted
for interconnection with DRU 20 by communication links
108, 110, respectively. Preferably, DRU 20 is connect-
able to either one or the other of computer 100 or print-
er 102, so as to enable information contained within DRU
20 to either be downloaded into a data storage device
associated with computer 100 or to be printed through
printer 102.
The components of VIU 22 are illustrated in
Fig. 3. As noted previously, VIU 22 is interposed be-
tween vehicle interface connector 26 and DRU 20, with DRU
20 being removably connectable to VIU 22 through communi-
cation ports 96.
VIU 22 concludes a programmable microcontroller
112. Microcontroller 112 receives power from the vehicle
through voltage and current protection circuit 114 inter-
connected with the vehicle's power source, such as a
battery, via line 30, and ground potential through line
32; a voltage regulator 116 interconnected with voltage
and current protection circuit 114 via a line 118; and a
power conditioning circuit 120 interconnected with volt-
age regulator 116 via a line 122, and with microcon-
troller 112 via a line 124. Microcontroller 112 receives
input voltage signals through a signal voltage condition-
ing circuit 126, which is interconnected with start
terminal line 40, start enable terminal line 42, ignition
line 46, and vehicle operating state input lines 56, 58,
60 and 62. These input voltage signals are provided to
microcontroller 112 through lines 128, 130, 132, 134,
136, 138 and 140, respectively.
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A manually operable bypass switch 142 is inter-
connected between start line 40 and start enable line 42.
A start enable relay 144 receives power from a line 146
- interconnected with line 118, and is interconnected with
start enable line 42 and with start line 40 through a
line 148. Start enable relay 144 is interconnected with
microcontroller 112 through a line 150.
Vehicle mileage pulse line 68 is interconnected
with microcontroller 112 through a low level signal
conditioning circuit 152 having an enabling circuit 153,
and a line 154. An RS-232 communications transceiver 156
including an enabling circuit 158 transmits signals to
microcontroller 112 through a line 160, and receives
signals from microcontroller 112 through a line 162.
Enabling circuit 158 of transceiver 156 is interconnected
with microcontroller 112 via a line 164, which in turn is
interconnected with enabling circuit 153 of low level
signal conditioning circuit 152 via a line 166. A con-
ventional resonator 168 is interconnected with microcon-
troller 112 through lines 170, 172.
Through communication port 96, protected volt-
age and ground potential is provided to DRU 20 through
lines 174, 176, respectively. Cable 94 includes a line
178 which transmits signals from microcontroller through
transceiver 156 to DRU 20, and a line 180 which transmits
signals from DRU 20 to microcontroller 112 through trans-
ceiver 156.
Fig. 4 illustrates the components of DRU 20.
DRU 20 includes a programmable microcontroller 184 inter-
connected with a conventional resonator 186 via a line
188. DRU 20 further includes an RS-232 transceiver 190,
which is interconnected with lines 178, 180 from VIU 22
through DRU communication port 98. Transceiver 190
transmits signals to microcontroller 184 through a line
192, and receives signals from microcontroller 184
through a line 194. Transceiver 190 further includes an
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enabling circuit 196, which is interconnected with micro-
controller 184 through a line 198.
DRU 20 is further equipped with a rechargeable
battery 200, which is charged by a charge circuit 202 and
lines 204, 206 and 208. Charge circui~ 202 is intercon-
nected with power line 210, which i~^~urn is intercon-
nected with lines 174, 176 from VIU 22 for transmitting
power to DRU 20. Line 208 further provides power to an
LCD intensity control 212. Power is supplied from bat-
tery 200 or charge circuit 202 to a voltage drop circuit
214 and to microcontroller 184 through a line 216.
Similarly, power is supplied from charge circuit 202 to a
voltage regulator circuit 218 including an enabling
circuit 220. A line 222 extends between voltage regula-
tor 218 and a program memory 224, and a line 226 extends
between voltage regulator circuit 218 and microcontroller
184. A line 228 interconnects voltage regulator enabling
circuit 220 with microcontroller 184.
A line 230 extends between power line 222 and
transceiver 190.
Microcontroller 184 is further interconnected
with a contrast control circuit 232 through a line 234,
and contrast control circuit 232 in turn is interconnect-
ed with transceiver 190 through a line 236 and with an
LCD controller/driver circuit 238 through a line 240.
Power is supplied to LCD controller/driver circuit 238
through a line 242 from power line 222. Microcontroller
184 is interconnected with intensity control circuit 212
through a line 244.
Power-is supplied to microcontroller 184 from
battery 200 through line 216, or from charge circuit 202
through voltage regulator 218 and a line 246 extending
between microcontroller 184 and power line 222.
Program memory 224 is interconnected with
microcontroller 184 through a line 248, and a nonvolatile
RAM 250 is interconnected with microcontroller 184
through lines 252, 254. A clock 256 having a crystal 258
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is interconnected with RAM 250 through a line 260, and
with microcontroller 184 through a line 262.
An audible beeper 264 is interconnected with
microcontroller 184 through a line 266. Microcontroller
184 is interconnected with LCD controller/driver circuit
238 through a line 268, and LCD 92 is interconnected with
LCD controller/driver circuit 238 through a line 270.
LCD back light intensity control circuit 212 is intercon-
nected with an LCD back light 272 through a line 274.
In operation, the above-described components
function as follows. Initially, VIU 22 is interconnected
with vehicle interface connector 26, and is mounted in an
inconspicuous location within the interior of the vehi-
cle. To operate, DRU 20 is connected to VIU 22 using
communication and power cable 94, and DRU power key 78 is
depressed to provide power to DRU 20 through VIU 22, or
fro~. battery 200. Upon power-up of DRU 20, a unique
identifying signal is communicated from DRU 20 to VIU 22,
and VIU microcontroller 112 is programmed so as to allow
vehicle operation only by a person (or persons) possess-
ing a DRU 20 having an acceptable identifying code. When
the code of DRU 20 and the preprogrammed acceptable
code(s) of VIU 22 match, VIU microcontroller 112 sends a
signal through line 150 to start enable relay circuit
144, which functions to interconnect start terminal 36
and start enable terminal 38 of vehicle interface connec-
to, 26, thls allowing ignition of the vehicle.
As an alternative, bypass switch 142 can be
operated to interconnect start terminal 36 with start
enable terminal 38.
Upon ignition of the vehicle, DRU microcon-
troller 184 sends a signal through line 266 to actuate
beeper 264, to provide an audible prompt to the operator.
The operator then depresses P/B/C key 82 to sel.ect wheth-
er the milcage to be driven is personal, business or forcommuting, and such information is communicated to DRU
microcontroller 184 and a corresponding legend appears on
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display 92. As the vehicle is operated, the distance
pulses from vehicle interface connector terminal 66 are
communicated to VIU microcontroller 112 through pulse
signal conditioning circuit 152 and line 154. This
information is then communicated;to DRU microcontroller
184 through VIU transceiver 156~ ~nd DRU transceiver 196,
and DRU microcontroller 184 then converts such signals
into mileage information, which is communicated to and
stored in RAM 2S0. Simultaneously, date and time infor-
mation is communicated to RAM 250 from clock 256.
Each time the operator changes the designationof the mileage traveled by depressing P/B/C key 82, such
information is communicated to DRU microcontroller 184
and to RAM 250, along with date and time information from
clock 256. This enables the operator to accurately keep
track of business, personal and commuting miles, along
with the dates and times such mileage was covered.
At the same time mileage information is commu-
nicated through DRU microcontroller 184 to RAM 250, other
information pertaining to vehicle operating characteris-
tics is communicated from state input terminals 48, 50,
52 and S4 of vehicle interface connector 26 to RAM 250
through DRU microcontroller 184 and VIU microcontroller
112. For instance, such information may pertain to
characteristics such as operation of the vehicle head-
lights, directional signals, brake lights or seat belt
indicator. This information is stored in RAM 250 for a
predetermined amount of time, e.g. five or ten minutes.
If desired, this vehicle operating characteristic infor-
mation can be extracted from RAM 250, so as to enable a
person to determine these vehicle operating characteris-
tics for the preceding five or ten minute time period,
which may be useful in accident investigations or the
like.
When the operator is finished operating the
vehicle, DRU 20 is disconnected from VIU 22, and the
operator can then carry DRU 20 along in a briefcase,
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purse or the like. Information pertaining to other
expenses incurred by the operator can be input into DRU
20 using QWERTY keypad 74 and numeric keypad 76. Such
information is displayed on display 92, and simultaneous-
ly stored in R~M 250 through DRU microcontroller 184.
Whenever desired, the operator interconnects
DRU 20 with either computer 100 or printer 102. By
depressing appropriate buttons of keypad 74, the informa-
tion stored in DRU RAM 250 is either downloaded into
10 computer 100 or communicated to printer 102 for printing
a hard copy of an expense report. When communicating
information to computer 100, such information can be
interfaced with an expense management program or the like
so as to enable such information to be incorporated
thereinto.
Appropriate software is loaded into program
memory 224 through DRU microcontroller 184 to carry out
the above steps. The software stored in program memory
224 can be modified or replaced as desired, permitting
DRU 20 to be field programmable for accommodating soft-
ware updates and/or custom programs for specific user
requirements.
Referring back to Fig. 1, other devices, shown
generally as future interface modules 280, can be inter-
connected with DRU 20 through a communication link 282
and a connector 284. For example, such devices may
include a portable communication device such as a radio
transmitter or a cellular telephone. A communication
device such as this enables an operator to relay informa-
tion contained within DRU RAM 250 to a remote receiving
device, such as a radio receiver or other cellular commu-
nication device, for communicating information from RAM
250 to a remote station. Representative applications for
this type of system include transmitting expense informa-
tion from traveling sales personnel to a central expensetracking facility, or transmitting transportation service
information to a central facility. For example, a trans-
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portation service for disabled individuals can input a
unique identifying code for each user, and information
pertaining to the distance the user was transported can
automatically be transmitted to a central processing
facility for enabling the transportation service to
rapidly generate a bill for such ~ansportation services
rendered to that individual. Nu:~erous other applications
for the system of the inventi~ are contemplated, utiliz-
ing either transmitting or receiving equipment.
Various alternatives and embodiments are con-
templated as being within the scope of the following
claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming
the subject matter regarded as the invention.
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