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`
`EP 0 629 978 A1
`
`European Patent
`
`mm
`
`EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
`
`APP]i¢.finn Numb.
`
`EP 94 30 3963
`
`I)()(XJN1EPTTS (K)PiSII)EItEI)'T()lE]RFfl.E\hAPWT
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`Citation of dosfument'v.v'i:l:'indica;'on, where appropriate.
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`CLASSIFICATION OF THE
`APPLICATION 0nI.Cl.5)
`
`G07C5/08
`
`
`
`TECHNICAI. FIELDS
`SEARCIHED
`(Int.CL5)
`
`G07C
`
`X
`
`Y
`
`Y
`
`Y
`
`DE-A-31 47 314 (WESSER)
`* page 5, Tine 19 - page 9, Tine 26 *
`* page 10, Tine 15 - page 19,
`line 8;
`figures *
`
`EP-A-0 224 616 (GELHORN)
`* coiumn 3, Tine 29 - column 7, Tine 4;
`claims; figures *
`
`DE-A-32 21 399 (KIENZLE)
`* page 4, Tine 17 - page 7, Tine 26 *
`* page 8, Tine 30 - page 9, Tine 30; c1aim
`1; figures *
`
`GB-A-2 244 582 (BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS
`PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY)
`* abstract; c1aims; figures *
`* page 2, Tine 29 - page 3, Tine 18 *
`
`A
`
`GB-A-2 119 095 (GOLDCREST ELECTRONICS)
`
`* page 2, Tine 17 - page 3, Tine 26 :
`* page 3, Tine 56 - page 4, Tine 22
`* page 6, Tine 5 - Tine 51; figures *
`
`A
`
`W0—A-92 22043 (NB ELECTRONIC)
`* page 14, Tine 20 - page 15, Tine 29 *
`* page 19, Tine 13 - page 20,
`line 5;
`figures *
`
`_/__
`
`
`
`
`The present search report has been drawn up for all chi
`Hm: I! lath
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`THE HAGUE
`30 September 1994
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`CATEGORY OF CITED DOCUMENTS
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`after the filing {ate
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`D : locummt cited III the applluhon
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`
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`
`
`10
`
`Page 001537
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`_
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`3 E
`
`

`
`EP 94 30 3953
`
`An licatinn Number
`"
`
`CLASSIFICATION OF TH!’-.‘.
`APPLlCA'l10N (lnl.CI.5)
`
`TECHNICAL FIELDS
`SEARG-[ED
`(lnt.CI.5)
`
`EP 0 629 978 A1
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`EumP‘3“ P319“
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`EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
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`Citation of document will: indication, when appropriate.
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`
`W0-A-82 02785 (DYRDAK)
`* page 3, 1ine 10 - 1ine 34 *
`* page 5,
`line 5 - page 6,
`line 8 *
`* page 9, 1ine 22 - page 11,
`line 21;
`figures *
`
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`to chin
`
`1,7-11
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US-A-4 939 652 (STEINER)
`
`EP-A-0 495 104 (K.K. KOMATSU SEISAKUSHO)
`
`The present Search report has been drawn up for all clnirrs
`Plan of such
`D4: of mlfldlnnnflh nan-cl
`
`THE HAGUE
`
`
`30 September 1994
`CATEGORY OF CITED DOCUMENTS
`T : theory or prindple underlying the Invention
`
`E : earlier patent document, but publlshed on, or
`
`
`Inc the filing dlte
`pI‘l'fi¢lIlll’|y rele/ant if lnlwn nlona
`D : locnrnurl cited in the appliutinn
`: particularly relevant if combined with annlllu
`L: dncurnmt dud for other reasons
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`....................................................................................................
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`EPOFORMISM03.I2(PNCOI)
`
`11
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`Page 001538
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`

`
`PCI‘
`
`International Bureau
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
` (51) International Patent Classification 5 :
`
`
`W0 93/21583
`(11) International Publication Number:
`G06]? 13/00
`
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`28 October 1993 (28.10.93)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US92/02968
`
`
`
`(81) Designated States: AU, BR, CA, JP, US, European patent
`(AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IT, LU, MC,
`NL, SE).
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`13 April 1992 (l3.04.92)
`
`
`Published
`(71) Applicant (far all designated States except US): VEHICLE
`COMPUTER CORPORATION [US/US]; 8200 N.W.
`mm international search report.
`27 Street, Suite 114, Miami, FL 33122 (US).
`(72) Inventor; and
`
`(75) Inventor/Applicant (for US’ only) : PARRA, Pedro, S. [US/
`US]; 8200 N.W. 27 Street, Suite 114, Miami, FL 33122
`(US).
`
`
`
`(74) Agent: SANCHELIMA, Jesus; Sanchelima and Asso-
`ciates, 235 S.W. Le Jeune Rd., Miami, FL 33134 (US).
`
`
`
` (54) Title: A SYSTEM FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING DATA FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
` IBM PC AT
`
`DR
`
`C OMDAT IBLE
`STD. RS 232
`7.5 PIN BB CONNECTOR
`
`
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`A device (10) for measuring and recording accurate, complete, dated and timed history for the moving speed of a specific
`motor vehicle. The device (10) includes a removable section (12) and a fixed section (14) identified by a unique code number
`stored in memory. Device (10) is micro-processor based, bus compatible with personal computers and features low power con-
`sumption to allow back-up battery operation during vehicle power source interruptions. Transducer interface circuit (20) picks up
`pulses that are proportional to the distance traveled. Speed and distance counters receive these pulses and send this information
`to the data bus. Memory (156) and processor (150) process and store the speed history of the vehicle being monitored, along with
`other information such as when and for how long the ignition circuit of the vehicle is activated.
`
`
`
`
`"i
`
`Page 001539
`
`

`
`V
`
`Auxlria
`AT
`Australia
`AU
`Barbuda:
`BB
`Belgium
`BE.
`Burkina Faso
`BF
`Bulgaria
`BC
`Benin
`BJ
`Bratil
`BR
`(Iunadu
`CA
`(funlral Africzm Republic
`CF
`(Tonga
`CG
`Swimzrland
`CH
`(Bu: d‘lvuirc
`Cl
`('umcroun
`CM
`$ (,‘7.i:L'hu:.luv.|Ll.1
`CZ
`("4.uL‘lI R1.-puhlir
`DB
`Germany
`DK
`Denmark
`ES
`Spain
`Fl
`Finland
`
`' Fr.xm:I;
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Guinea ’
`Gruucc
`Hungary
`In.-land
`lluly
`,
`7
`Japam
`Democratic People‘:-Republic
`of Kurua
`Republic ul' Korea
`KZTIJIHISLHII
`,
`Lll.'I£hlI.'flSl(:lll
`Sri l.mL:1
`Luau.-mbuurg
`Mun;u:o
`Madaigaacur
`Mali
`Mongolia
`
`'
`
`'
`
`'
`
`F’OR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify Stains party to the PCT on the frunl pages of pamphlets publishing international
`applications under the PCT.
`
`:
`
`'
`
`,
`
`'
`
`.
`
`—
`
`7
`
`Muurilzluia
`Malawi
`Nu-lhcrlamla
`Norway
`New Zculalld
`Poland
`Portugal
`Rumunia
`Russian: Fcdcraliun
`Sudan
`Swudcu
`Slovak Republic
`Suncgal
`Soviet Union
`(‘had
`‘Yugo
`Ukraine
`Unilud Sunus ul' America
`Vicl Nam
`
`V
`
`'
`
`Page 001540
`
`

`
`W0 93/21583
`
`PCT/US92/02968
`
`
`
`I. TITLE:
`
`"A SYSTEM FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING DATA FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE"
`
`
`II. TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to a low power portable device for
`
`measuring and recording date, time, motor vehicle speed, distance
`traveled and identifying vehicle code number over a continuous basis
`
`over an extended period of time to document the activities of the
`
`vehicle.
`
`
`
`III. BACKGROUND ART
`
`Applicant believes that the closest reference correspond to U.S.
`Patent N0. 4,344,136 issued to Panik and N0. 4,697,278 issue to
`
`Fleischer. However, Panik differs from the present invention because
`it fails to record the date and time of events, namely, the speed of the
`vehicle, in continuous manner as to provide a complete history of the
`speed of the vehicle. Further, it does not record the identity of a
`vehicle being monitored.
`
`Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a
`number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the
`
`problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents
`suggest the novel features of the present invention.
`
`Page 001541
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`

`
`WO 93/21583
`
`'
`
`7
`
`'
`
`_
`
`PCT/US92/Q2968
`
`2
`
`IV. SUMMARY or THE INVENTION
`
`It is one of the main purposes of the present invention to provide
`
`a device that can document the speed of a vehicle along a continuous
`
`period of time and continuously providing said speed value at any
`
`given time.
`
`It is another object of thisginvention to store the information
`
`stated in the previous’ paragraph in a digital storage memory
`
`assembly.
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
`
`device that can accurately and reliable document the speed of a motor
`
`vehicle at any time during a predetermined period of time.
`
`It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device that
`can be used to study and compare the driving habits of drivers and to
`
`more accurately derive inferences from the information obtained.
`
`It is another object of this invention to provide a device that can
`
`only be used on a particular vehicle, and through pre-assigned
`passwords; determines, and records who drove the vehicle.
`
`Page 001542
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`PC!‘/US92/02968
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`3
`
`It is another object of this invention to provide a device that
`
`includes a back-up battery assembly that permits it to be disconnected
`
`from the vehicle's battery circuit without losing the information.
`
`It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device that
`
`detects and records when electrical and / or mechanical connections
`
`and / or structures are interrupted or altered.
`
`V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`With the above and other related objects in view, the invention
`
`consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will
`
`be more fully understood from the following description, when read in
`
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
`
`Figure 1 is a block schematic representation of the present
`
`invention showing the portable and non-portable assemblies with the
`
`connections to the vehicle speed transducer, to the vehicle battery and
`
`to the ignition cable at the bottom and the connections to a personal
`
`computer serial port at the top.
`
`Figure 2 shows a block schematic of the vehicle and transducer
`
`interface shown in figure 1.
`
`Figure 3 illustrates a schematic of the circuit used for processing
`
`the signals from the digital and analog transducers as well as the
`
`vehicle ignition circuits.
`
`Page 001543
`
`

`
`W0 93/21583
`
`/US92/02968
`
`4" I
`
`.
`
`1 VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 01? THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10,
`as shown Figurel, and itbasically includes two assemblies, namely
`a portable removable assembly 12 and a non-portable fixed assembly
`14 that remains at all times attached to the motorized vehicle where it
`is installed. Portable assembly 12 is removably connected to a non-
`
`movable assembly 14 through connectors 115 and 15. Movable
`assembly 12 is alsocapable of being connected to personal computer
`P‘.C. In the preferred embodiment shown in figure 1 an RS232 serial
`
`portis used for this connection.
`
`For assembly convenience, the portable section should be
`separated [from the non-portable section of the black box. The non-
`portable section of the black box should be securely bolted to the
`vehicle chassis. Electrically, the non-portable section includes: a
`voltage regulator 13, non—volatjle identification memory. PROM 40,
`
`latch circuit 23, Serial Number LED 21, Contact LED 60 and 70,
`
`vehicle and transducer interface circuit 20, mating connector and
`
`socket 11 and 11' to the Vehicle wiring. Mechanically, itprovides a
`
`sturdy frame to which the portable section is securely attached.
`
`As best seen in figure 2, vehicle and transducer interface circuit
`20 includes transducer low pass filter 32, diode and schotby clamps 34,
`hysteresis comparator amplifier 36, debouncer circuit_3.8 providing a
`
`signal at point Z that is removably connected to speed and distance
`
`counter circuit 120.
`
`Page 001544
`
`

`
`W0 93/2] 583
`
`PCI‘/ US92/02968
`
`5 7
`Also, interface 20 includes vehicle ignition low pass filter 31,
`
`zener clamp 33 and diode 35. Furthermore, interface 20 includes in
`
`vehicle flag 37 which provides a signal to the portable section
`
`indicating that connection 15 and 115 are engaged. Finally, interface
`
`20 includes a closed loop that detects when the vehicle ignition circuit
`
`is being tampered with and they are labeled as ignition connections 1
`
`and 2 in figure 2.
`
`The portable section can be programmed to work only with a
`
`given fixed or non-removable section. To implement this, the serial
`
`number of the portable section is required to match the serial number
`
`of the non—portable section and a recognition signed is sent from micro-
`
`processor 150 to the serial number LED circuit 21 in the non-portable
`
`section. The decoder is the portable section allows micro-processor
`
`150 to enable the I.D. PROM, it learns the identity of the non-portable
`
`section. When micro-processor 150 enables latch circuit 23, the latter
`
`drives serial number LED circuit 21 making it flash for several
`
`seconds.
`
`The portable section is enclosed in a metallic box which fits into
`
`the non-portable section in a drawer-like fashion, being kept in place
`
`by a security lock; it provides a carry-on handle for ease of
`
`transportation. Electrically, it includes an eight—bit micro-processor,
`
`256K SRAM, 64K instruction PROM, real time clock and calendar,
`
`event counter, system static clock, serial controller interface, RS232
`
`driver/receiver, bus drivers /receivers, glue logic, four 1.25 volt re-
`
`chargeable batteries and mating connectors to the non-portable
`section and to the RS232 port of personal computer (P..C.).
`
`Page 001545
`
`

`
`W0 93/21583
`
`'
`
`,
`
`7
`
`7
`
`PCT/US92/02968
`
`6
`
`When the batteries of the portable section are charged and a
`vehicle is ready for installation, the proper date and time, speed and
`distance equivalence factors’,einitial vehicle odometer mileage non-
`portable section and portable section identification numbers, and
`memory initialization conditions can be set using the appropriate
`
`software with the AT type PC.’
`
`A properly initialized portable section will recognize and store 7
`the I.D. number of a non-portable section at the time and date that a
`
`mating occurs. Alternatively, with appropriate changes in the PROM
`software, it can be made to recognize a given I.D. number of the non-
`portable section before any recording of events begin. Recognition is
`signaled by means of a flashing LED for approximately 10 seconds.
`
`d When the portable section is plugged into the non-portable
`section, the former's batteries are being charged, preferably with the
`
`Trickle Charge Method, through a battery charging network driven by
`
`the voltage regulator in thenon-portable section fed by the vehicle
`
`battery.
`
`The portable section "recognizes" when it is connected to the non—
`
`portable section or to the P.C. RS232 terminal. It also "recognizes"
`
`when the vehicle battery orthe ignition wire are disconnected and
`reconnected. The portable section can also inferlwhen the vehicles's
`
`transducer terminals are disconnected. When plugged into the non-
`
`portable section in the proper manner, two LED's are lit on a
`continuous basis. Whenever a disconnection or re-connection is
`detected, the corresponding time and date are stored. W In addition, the
`
`Page 001546
`
`

`
`wo 93/21583
`
`PC!‘/US92/02968
`
`7
`
`non-portable section I.D. number is fetched after reconnection for
`
`storage and/ or comparison, depending on the instructions in the
`
`software used.
`
`When the portable and non-portable section are properly mated
`
`in the vehicle, all motion events (or lack of motion) will be detected,
`
`analyzed, evaluated, timed and dated to provide interpreted
`
`information relevant for management and supervision of vehicle and
`
`driver activities. Only data which is considered of management
`
`interest will be stored; the remaining data will be discarded to save
`
`storage memory space. In general, one month's worth of data will be
`retained in RAM memory. Long range historical Data can be stored in
`
`P.C. memory and hard disk. Information is retrieved and stored into
`
`P.C. by unplugging the portable section from the non—portable section
`
`and connecting it to the RS232 terminal of a P.C. through the
`
`appropriate interface cable. Suitable P.C. software can be used to
`
`organize and display the information in a meaningful format.
`
`If the batteries contained in the portable section must be
`
`replaced, all information contained in this section's memory must be
`transferred to P.C. (personal computer) memory. Otherwise, data not
`
`previously transferred and stored in the P.C. recorded will be
`
`permanently lost. After battery replacement, the clocl</ calendar and
`
`SRAM in the portable section must be reset with the appropriate P.C-
`
`based initial installation s;.;.tware.
`
`The operation of the present invention can be generalized to
`
`work in the following manner. When the vehicle where the present
`
`invention is utilized is in motion, analog speed transducer T produces
`
`Page 001547
`
`

`
`W0 93/21583
`
`PCF/US92/02968
`
`8 —.
`
`a number of wave forms per unit of time which is proportional to the
`
`rotational speed of the drive shaft which are in turn proportional to
`the speed of the vehicle. The output of transducer T is sent to
`transducer interface circuit 120 in non—movable assembly 14 which
`
`amplifies and provides predetermined suitable voltage levels for
`
`subsequent processing of this information. When a digital transducer
`
`is used, its output is directly wired to a debouncing circuit, bypassing
`the amplifiers clamping circuit and filter. Thirty-two bit speed and
`
`distance counter 120 is connected to the output of transducer interface
`
`circuit 20 through connectors 15 and 115 to count the number of pulses
`
`generated within a predefined sampling period. In thislmanner, the
`speed value at a particular moment is obtained, by counting the
`number of pulses detected in a short time intervals (normally every
`
`second).
`
`In addition, the change in pulse count between predefined events
`and the cumulative count of the distance counter yields the distance
`
`traveled between events by the vehicle being monitored and its
`
`cummulative odometer reading respectively.
`
`When presence or absence of the motion induced pulses
`described above are used in conjunction with the voltage sensed by the
`ignition wire connection, accurate conclusions can be reached
`1
`regarding a driver‘s habits and usage of the vehicle being monitored.
`Precision, real time clock and calendar circuit 140 is implemented,
`
`preferably with OKI Semiconductor M6242B (Real Time
`Clock/Calendar l.C.), which is micro-processor compatible. The p
`function of circuit 140 is to provide the appropriate date and time
`
`Page 001548
`
`

`
`W0 93/21 583
`
`PCT/ US92/02968
`
`9
`
`when events pertinent to the vehicle's movement occur. It also
`
`identifies the time at which other events occur such as the removal and
`
`reconnection of portable section 12, or the interruption of the electrical
`
`connections of the vehicle. Time and date are also cross-referenced
`
`with total mileage and non—portable unit I.D. number is also stored
`
`and memory in compared for a match upon plug-in of the portable
`
`section to the non-portable section in the vehicle, as previously
`
`described. The non—portable section 14 is preferably assigned a unique
`
`identification number or information that can be required to match an
`
`interrogation from portable section 12 before it operates.
`
`Micro-processor 80c88 150 is paced by an 82c85 static clock 160
`
`and provides the "decision making" capability within the system. It
`
`takes Initial and subsequent instruction from a non-volatile 64K
`
`EPROM circuit 154 and stores/retrieves data and instructions
`
`into /from a 256K SRAM (static RAM) memory circuit 156.
`
`The RS232 computer interface is implemented with an 82c52
`
`UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter) 158 and a
`
`MAX 235 device 159 (manufactured by Maxim Co) both of which
`
`provide the required capability for exchanging serial information
`
`between portable assembly 12 and a personal computer.
`
`Low power dissipation is critical for proper performance of this
`
`system because of its bacl<—up battery operation requirement.
`
`Accordingly, CMOS is the preferred technology due to its static
`
`operation capability and its inherent low power performance.
`
`Page 001549
`
`

`
`wo 93/21583
`
`PCI‘/US92l02968
`
`ASSEMBLY AND START-UP PI-LIASE
`
`010'-_
`
`Transducer T is connected to the vehicle transmission or to the
`speedometer cable in a manner well known in the vehicle
`
`instrumentation industry so that electrical pulses are generated as the
`vehicle drive shaft
`The output terminal of the speed/distance
`
`transducer T is connected to either the digital input terminal or the
`
`analog input terminal in connector assembly 11 depending on the
`nature of the transducer. Wires connected to the vehicle's battery
`
`terminals are also connected through connector 11, to non-portable
`
`section 14 to power up the voltage regulator 13. This regulator 13
`
`provides regulated power to all electronic components under normal
`operating conditions.’ The last connections made to non-portable
`
`section 14 are the ignition line voltage and the ignition disconnect
`
`sensing wire. Good engineering practice dictates the use of
`
`appropriate shielding techniques to minimize unwanted electrical
`
`noise disturbance of the desired signal.
`
`g
`
`VII.
`
`INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
`
`The availability of a device for continuously and selectively
`recording the speed history of a vehicle and the distance traveled by
`such vehicle is quite desirable. Such a device is- useful for individuals
`
`responsible for the operation of large fleets who could then
`characterize the actions of the drivers over predetermined periods of 2
`time. The information can also be processedin order to make
`I
`pertinent statistical inferences.
`
`E}:
`
`Page 001550
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`

`
`W0 93/21 583
`
`PCI‘/ US92/02968
`
`1 1 4
`
`Z The foregoing description is believed to convey the best
`understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present
`
`4)
`
`invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive
`
`concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter
`
`disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a
`
`limiting sense.
`
`Page 001551
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`

`
`W0 93/21583
`
`I
`
`'
`
`PCT/US92/02968
`
`12”
`
`VIII. CLAIMS
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A rnicro-processor based system for measuring and recording
`
`dated and timed history for the_moving speed of a specific motor
`vehicle having first battery means and an ignition circuit and a drive
`axle and including a fixed section having sensing means to detect the
`
`rotation of the drive axle in said vehicle and including an output that
`
`proportion to the rate of rotation and
`generates electrical pulses
`said fixed section having interface means for shaping and filtering
`said pulses having an input connected to the output of said sensing
`
`means and also including an interface means output so that said
`
`pulses produce a signal on the output of said interface means and said
`
`interface means being powered by said first battery means and said
`
`system further including a removable section, comprising:
`
`A means for counting the pulses on said interface means‘ output
`and being connected to the output of said interface means and
`including a counting means’ output}
`
`B . rnicro-processor means including clock means and data bus
`
`means connected to said counting means output so that the
`
`outputs from said means for counting said pulses can be
`
`processed by said micro-processor means;
`
`C . real time clock and calendar means including a real time clock
`
`means‘ output connected to said data bus means;
`
`Page 001552
`
`

`
`WO 93/21583
`
`Pcr/US92/02963
`
`13 ‘
`
`D.first memory means for storing data and programming
`
`instructions having a memory means‘ output connected to
`
`said data bus and connected to said rnicro—processor means
`
`and having sufficient capacity to store the necessary program
`
`instructions to cause said micro-processor means to read the
`
`outputs of said means for counting said pulses and real time
`
`clock means selectively and to periodically record the
`
`information obtained from said means for counting said
`
`pulses and real time clock means over a given time period
`
`thereby storing a measurement for traveled distance and
`
`speed at a given time;
`
`E. second battery means for powering said means for counting,
`
`micro-processor means, real time clock and calendar means
`
`and first memory means; and
`
`F. means for accessing and transferring said stored information
`
`wherein said interface means is permanently mounted to said
`
`vehicle thereby defining a fixed section of said device and said
`
`means for counting said pulses, micro-processor means, real
`
`time clock means, first memory means, means for accessing
`
`and transferring said stored information are removably
`
`mounted and connected to said interface means thereby
`
`defining a removable section of said device.
`
`2. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said fixed section
`
`includes second memory means for storing predetermined
`
`identification information and said removable section including
`
`means for detecting said predetermined identification information.
`
`Page 001553
`
`

`
`W0 93/21583
`
`PCTIUS92/02968
`
`1 4 ‘
`
`Z 3. The device set forth in claim 2 wherein said first memory
`means includes non-volatile means for storing program instructions.
`
`4. The device set forth in claim 3 wherein said second imemory
`
`means includes non-volatile means for storing said identification
`
`ml
`
`information.
`
`5. The device set forth in claim 4 wherein said removable section
`
`further includes means for detecting engagement and ‘disengagement
`
`from said fixed section and means" to record in said first memory
`
`means when said engagement and disengagementoccurred.
`
`6. The device set forth in claim 5 wherein said removable section
`
`includes means for detecting the activation of the ignition circuit in
`
`said vehicle and means to record in said first memory means when
`
`said activation occurred and ceased.
`
`.
`
`7. The device set forth in claim 6 wherein said first memory
`
`means includes further program instructions that cause said micro g
`-processor to store insaid first memory means non-zero outputs and a
`
`predetermined number of zero outputs before an at-rest code is stored
`thereby minimizing the use of storage capacity in said first memory
`
`means when said vehicle is idle over a predetermined amountiof time.
`
`8. The device set forth in claim 7 wherein said microprocessor
`
`can be programmed to selectively store non-zero within
`
`predetermined treshold.
`
`Page 001554
`
`

`
`WO 93/21583
`
`PCT/ US92/02968
`
`1/35
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`PCT/ US92/02968
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`
`
`

`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`1.
`
`Jultionxlilpplicstion No.
`PCT/U592/(72968
`
`CLASSIFICATION Ola‘ SUBJECT MATTER
`A.
`l'PC(5)
`:GO6F 13/00
`US CL 2364/424.03. 424.04; 377/24.1; 340/438
`According to lntermtionsi Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`B.
`FIELDS SEARCHED
`
`Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
`U.S.
`:
`364I424.03, 424.04; 377/24.1; 340/438 364/424.01,56l ; 377/24.26 ; 340/439
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the internltionsl search (name of dots base and, where practicable, search terms used)
`
`C.
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`_
`
`X
`
`US,A, 4,939,652 (Steiner) 03 July 1990 See the entire document.
`
`1-8
`
`US,A, 4,638,289 (Zottnik) 20 Jenusry 1987 SeeFig. 1.
`
`US,A, 4,853,856 (Hanwny) 01 August 1989 See Fig. 2.
`
`4,685,061 (Whiukcr) 04 August [987 See the entire document.
`
`5,046,007 (Mccrery et al.) 03 September 1991 See Fig. 2.
`
`4,992,943 (McCr|ckcn) 12 February 1991 See Fig. 4.
`
`D Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. B see patent family annex.
`Speeileuegmiaofciteddeeauumz
`llta-doumiaitpltblhhedefiertheintemniounlfilingdeteor priority
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`tohepunofputimhrreluvunee
`docuineutofputiculnrrelcvancettliechiined inveationannotbe
`conoiie-rul navel orennot be couidemdlo involve In inventiveltep
`vthqnhedoalnaitiukaiolone
`
`documuitwliicli Inytiuvwdoubtlonpl-iorityeh'ln(u) orvhiehie
`civerlnenhliulilhepubliendandnteof-sotherciniionorother
`special maIon(- qeeified)
`doeunnntieferrin;Iononld’uelonue.Iue.e:tliib'nionorothcr
`fill
`
`doannairpuhlimipriarlodseilnumtioulfilhgdnlehllhurdiln
`theprioriwdeteehilned
`
`Date of the actual completion of the international search
`
`doamuit of puticullr relevance; the ellimed invention euuiot be
`eoneiiemdto involveonhivaitivestep when thedocumenlin
`combined With one u’ Incl! otlleretrch documlmtl. ouch combination
`being obviom In I perlon skilled in the In
`doannuitmunberoftlieunnepumtfnmily
`
`Date of
`
`of the intenia,tiona1 search report
`@380."
`:~,:;.;
`
`07 AUGUST 1992
`
`Name and mailing address of the ISA!
`Coimnissioner of Patents and Tndemu-ks
`
`3°‘ F”
`Wuhington, D.C. 20231
`Facsimile No. NOT APPLICABLE
`Form PCTIISAIZIO (second sheet)(July 1992)t
`
`GARY CHIN
`_
`(703) 308-1394
`Tcl hone No.
`
`
`Page 001558
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`

`
`05104985 A
`
`http://www.delphion.com/cgi—bin/viewpat.cmd/JP05104985A2
`
`
`
`(19)
`
`(21) Application number: 03263862
`11.10.91
`
`(22) Application date
`
`Generated Document.
`
`(11) Publication number:
`
`1
`
`A
`
`PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN
`
`(51) Intl. Cl.: B60K 41/00 F02D 29/02 F02D 45/00
`
`
`
`
`(30) Priority:
`(71) Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
`
`(43) Date of application
`
`
`27.04.93 -
`publication:
`
`(72) Inventor:
`
`ISHIGANII KAZUHIRO
`
`
`
`(84) Designated contracting
`states:
`
`
`74) Representative:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1 of2
`
`‘
`
`10/7/04 11:02 AM
`
`Page 001559
`
`

`
`05104985 A
`
`http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/JP05 104985A2
`
`(54) DATA RECORDING
`DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE
`
`(57) Abstract:
`
`PURPOSE: To record data even in case of
`an accident by a driving error by detecting
`a car stoppage time before an engine
`stoppage by combination of at least two of
`a car velocity, an engine rotation number,
`and an ignition switch off, and recording
`and holding driving data before and afier
`car stoppage for about three times before
`the engine stoppage.
`
`CONSTITUTION: For a control unit 20,
`signals from a crank angle sensor 6, an
`accelerate-ion sensor 8 for detecting a
`stepped angle of an acceleration pedal, a
`car velocity sensor 10 to detect a car
`velocity based on an output shaft rotation
`of a transmission 9, and an ignition switch
`11 are inputted, and a CPU 21 detects
`these constantly for using them for control,
`and it records the data in a RAM 32. A car
`stoppage is determined when the car
`velocity becomes 0km/h, and afier
`recording the data till about 10sec. passes
`afier the car stoppage, the data in the RAM
`32 are transferred to an EPROM 23. An
`engine stoppage is determined by the
`ignition switch 11, and data for the engine
`stoppage are recorded and held in the
`EPROM 23.
`
`COPYRIGHT: (C)1993,JPO&Japio
`
`2of2
`
`10/7/04 11:08 AM
`
`Page 001560
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`

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