US5311430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle operation data recording apparatus
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-10-09
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Granted: 1994-05-10
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Expires: 2012-10-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data. The apparatus is arranged to record the vehicle operation data when the vehicle stops before the engine stops.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Ishigami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:24
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/08; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085; F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition switch and an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising: first means for producing a command signal when said vehicle stops before said engine stops; and second means responsive to the command signal for recording the vehicle operation data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition switch and an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising: first means for producing a command signal when said vehicle stops before said engine stops; and second means responsive to the command signal for recording the vehicle operation data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for detecting ignition switch position, and means for producing the command signal when said vehicle stops before said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for detecting vehicle speed and ignition switch position, and means for producing the command signal when the detected vehicle speed decreases to zero before said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed and ignition switch position, and means for producing the command signal when the detected engine speed is less than a predetermined value when said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed, and means for producing the command signal when the vehicle stops before the detected engine speed decreases to a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed and vehicle speed, and means for producing the command signal when the detected vehicle speed decreases to zero before the detected engine speed decreases to a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition switch and an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising: first memory means having a memory area having a predetermined capacity for storing values of at least one vehicle operating condition; second memory means; and a control unit for reading existing values of the vehicle operating condition into said memory area of said first memory means at uniform intervals of time to produce engine operation data stored in said first memory means, said control unit including first means for producing a command signal when said vehicle stops before said engine stops, second means for transferring the vehicle operation data from said first memory means to said second memory means a predetermined time after the command signal is produced so that the transferred vehicle operation data include the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time before the command signal is produced and the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time after the command signal is produced.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition switch and an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising: first memory means having a memory area having a predetermined capacity for storing values of at least one vehicle operating condition; second memory means; and a control unit for reading existing values of the vehicle operating condition into said memory area of said first memory means at uniform intervals of time to produce engine operation data stored in said first memory means, said control unit including first means for producing a command signal when said vehicle stops before said engine stops, second means for transferring the vehicle operation data from said first memory means to said second memory means a predetermined time after the command signal is produced so that the transferred vehicle operation data include the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time before the command signal is produced and the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time after the command signal is produced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second memory means is a nonvolatile memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first means includes means for detecting ignition switch position, and means for producing the command signal when said vehicle stops before said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first means includes means for detecting vehicle speed and ignition switch position, and means for producing the command signal when the detected vehicle speed decreases to zero before said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed and ignition switch position, and means for producing the command signal when the detected engine speed is less than a predetermined value when said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed, and means for producing the command signal when the vehicle stops before the detected engine speed decreases to a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed and vehicle speed, and means for producing the command signal when the detected vehicle speed decreases to zero before the detected engine speed decreases to a predetermined value.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition switch and an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising: first memory means having a memory area having a predetermined capacity for storing values of at least one vehicle operating condition; second memory means having a predetermined number of memory areas each having a predetermined number of memory sections; and a control unit for reading existing values of the vehicle operating condition into said memory area of said first memory means at uniform intervals of time to produce engine operation data stored in said first memory means, said control unit including first means for producing a first command signal when said vehicle stops, second means for producing a second command signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the first command signal is produced, third means for producing a third command signal when said engine stops, fourth means responsive to the third command signal for selecting one of said memory areas of said second memory means, fifth means responsive to the second command signal for selecting one of said memory sections of the selected one of said memory areas of said second memory means, sixth means responsive to the second command signal for transferring the vehicle operation data from said first memory means to the selected one of said memory sections of the selected one of said memory areas of said second memory means so that the transferred vehicle operation data include the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time before the first command signal is produced and the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time after the first command signal is produced.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle having an ignition switch and an internal combustion engine to record vehicle operation data, the apparatus comprising: first memory means having a memory area having a predetermined capacity for storing values of at least one vehicle operating condition; second memory means having a predetermined number of memory areas each having a predetermined number of memory sections; and a control unit for reading existing values of the vehicle operating condition into said memory area of said first memory means at uniform intervals of time to produce engine operation data stored in said first memory means, said control unit including first means for producing a first command signal when said vehicle stops, second means for producing a second command signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the first command signal is produced, third means for producing a third command signal when said engine stops, fourth means responsive to the third command signal for selecting one of said memory areas of said second memory means, fifth means responsive to the second command signal for selecting one of said memory sections of the selected one of said memory areas of said second memory means, sixth means responsive to the second command signal for transferring the vehicle operation data from said first memory means to the selected one of said memory sections of the selected one of said memory areas of said second memory means so that the transferred vehicle operation data include the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time before the first command signal is produced and the vehicle operating condition values read for the predetermined time after the first command signal is produced.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second memory means is a nonvolatile memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said first means includes means for detecting vehicle speed, and means for producing the first command signal when the detected vehicle speed decreases to zero.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said first means includes means for detecting engine speed, and means for producing the first command signal when the detected engine speed is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said third means includes means for detecting ignition switch position, and means for producing the third command signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said third means includes means for detecting ignition switch position, and means for producing the third command signal when said ignition switch is turned off.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicle operation data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said third means includes means for detecting engine speed, and means for producing the third command signal when the detected engine speed is less than a predetermined value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-09 | 1997-11-08 | 1998-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-09 | 2001-11-08 | 2002-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-09 | 2005-11-08 | 2006-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |