 Ferromagnetic speed sensor |
| We claim: 1. A rotational speed sensor, in particular, a gear wheel sensor, comprising: a magnet ... |
|
| Rotation sensor using a radiation emitter and detector and a duty cycle feedback loop |
| According to the present invention there is provided a rotation sensor comprising a fixed member; a ... |
|
| Time based low tire pressure warning sensor |
| It is therefore an object of the invention to achieve a LTPW transmitter unit which attains long ... |
|
| Method and device for automatic calibration of an odometer |
| The present invention provides a method for automatic calibration of a displacement sensor. The ... |
|
| Tire condition monitoring system |
| A tire condition monitoring system is provided which informs the driver of the condition, including ... |
|
| Collision avoidance method and system |
| In one embodiment, a vehicular collision avoidance method is provided that includes monitoring a ... |
|
| Seat control apparatus for vehicle |
| In light of the state of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat ... |
|
| Temperature control unit for a motor vehicle |
| Referring to the figure, a control unit 11 is shown having a temperature setting device 13 and an ... |
|
| Computer with password processing function and password processing method of computer |
| A first object of the present invention is to provide a computer where limitation in the length of ... |
|
|
Vehicle tracking unit with fault condition diagnosis and related methods
| Details |
Inventors: Flick, Kenneth E.;
Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C. (Douglasville, GA)
Primary Examiner: Tweel; John
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
A vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device for sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station. The controller may also monitor operation of the vehicle, determine a fault condition of at least one of the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device based upon a failure thereof over a predetermined pattern of vehicle operation, store the fault condition, and permit retrieval of the stored fault condition. |
|
DETAILED DESCRIPTION In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle tracking unit which provides relatively accurate fault condition diagnosis and related methods.
This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a vehicle tracking unit which may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller.
The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device for sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station.
The controller may also monitor operation of the vehicle, determine a fault condition of at least one of the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device based upon a failure thereof over a predetermined pattern of vehicle operation, store the fault condition, and permit retrieval of the stored fault condition.
More particularly, the vehicle may include an ignition, and the controller may monitor the ignition for operation of the vehicle.
Further, the predetermined pattern of vehicle operation may include a series of successive operations of the ignition, with each operation of the ignition being for greater than a time threshold.
The series of successive operations of the ignition may be greater than two, for example.
Also, the time threshold may be about 15 minutes.
The vehicle may also include an ignition switch, and the controller may permit user retrieval of the stored fault condition based upon selective operation of the ignition switch.
In addition, the controller may permit remote retrieval of the stored fault condition from the monitoring station.
An indicator may also be connected to the controller to provide a local fault indication based upon retrieval of the stored fault condition.
By way of example, the indicator may include at least one of an audible and a visual indicator.
Furthermore, the controller may determine and store fault conditions of both the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device, and the local fault indication may correspond to either the vehicle position determining device, the wireless communications device, or both
|
|
Navigation and GPS 
