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Method and apparatus for measuring and accumulating critical automobile warranty statistical data
| Details |
Inventors: Osborn, Brock Estel; Hershey, John Erik; Welles, Kenneth Brakeley; Irving, Russell Robert; Van Stralen, Nick Andrew;
Assignee: General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY)
Primary Examiner: Pope; Daryl
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Goldman; David C., Breedlove; Jill M.
A system is provided for monitoring operating parameters relating to vehicle usage and using the operating parameter information to derive warranty statistical data. In one embodiment, an operating parameter monitoring unit includes a microprocessor and a sensor interface mounted within a housing. The sensor interface includes a number of leads for receiving sensor input signals from sensors that monitor various vehicle operating parameters. The microprocessor receives parameter information via the sensor interface that is indicative of various input sensor signals and stores corresponding parameter information in memory. The stored parameter information can be accessed via a data interface such as a data port or a RF interface. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore desirable to measure and accumulate operating parameter information based on vehicle usage and for analyzing the resulting information to yield critical automobile warranty statistical data.
The present invention provides valuable information regarding vehicle usage patterns that can improve risk assessment and allow for improved warranty contract management.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for use in monitoring one or more operating parameters related to vehicle wear.
The apparatus includes a support structure such as a frame or housing for interconnection to the vehicle such that the support structure is carried by the vehicle during operating, and a sensor for monitoring a first operating parameter and providing a sensor signal indicative of the first operating parameter.
The support structure can be attached to an interior or exterior portion of the vehicle.
The sensor may sense any of various parameters such as a current (e.
g.
, related to operation of a brake light, a starter solenoid, an air conditioner clutch or headlight), a thermal value, (e.
g.
, heat related to air entering a radiator, or heat related to operation of an engine, air conditioner compressor or air condition condenser), an acceleration value (e.
g.
, related to a forward or braking acceleration, a vertical component of acceleration or side-to-side acceleration) or an induction related value (e.
g.
, an inductance related to operation of a spark plug).
The support structure carries a processor for receiving information based on the sensor signal and for processing the information to generate processed information.
The apparatus further includes a memory structure associated with the processor for storing the processed information, a first interface structure for interfacing the memory structure with the processor and a second interface structure for use in accessing the processor so as to retrieve the processed information from the memory structure for use by an external processing system
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Finance 
