Vehicle customization, restriction, and data logging
US6430488B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07C5/0858
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method, article of manufacture and computer product is presented for a vehicle customization, restriction, and data logging capability. The invention leverages the increasing electronic content in vehicles by interconnecting these electronic devices with a controller. It further uses a storage device in the vehicle, to store vehicle customizations and/or restrictions, and to provide capability for defining and logging significant vehicle events. Combining the electronic vehicle components with a storage device (sometimes in the form of a smart card or floppy disk, etc.) and a controller in a vehicle network enables providing operator specific settings for each of a set of vehicle operators. These customizations add to operator and passenger comfort and safety. It also enables application of setting restrictions to and logging the vehicles use parameters. These add previously unavailable tools to entities as diverse as a parent monitoring a teen driver, a company or government agency regulating a truck driver, an operator training facility, a vessel captain or pilot, a rental car company setting terms for a car rental and handling returns off line, and a car owner relinquishing th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.