US5758299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for generating performance ratings for a vehicle operator
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-03
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2015-11-03
Abstract
Abstract In one aspect of the present invention, a method for generating performance ratings that indicate the driving performance of a vehicle operator is disclosed. The method senses various operating parameters of the vehicle and produces representative signals. Sensed signals are compared to corresponding target values. A plurality of is performance ratings are determined. Finally, an operator summary report illustrating the performance ratings is generated. The report includes recommended actions to improve the performance of the operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Sandborg
- 👤 David R. Schricker
- 👤 Mark E. Rettig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:27
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/04; G09B9/052; G09B19/00; G09B19/16; G09B19/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for generating performance ratings to indicate the driving performance of a vehicle operator, the vehicle including a vehicle drive train having an engine that rotates the gears of a transmission, the method including the following steps: sensing various operating parameters of the vehicle and producing representative signals; determining a target value for each of the sensed vehicle operating parameters, the target value corresponding to a desired level of operation of a respective vehicle operating parameter; determining a plurality of performance ratings that correspond to the vehicle operating parameters in response to the difference between the sensed signal magnitudes and the respective target values, the performance ratings representing a level of performance of the vehicle operator with respect to the vehicle operating parameters; and generating an operator summary report of the performance ratings that includes recommendations for improving the performance of the vehicle operator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for generating performance ratings to indicate the driving performance of a vehicle operator, the vehicle including a vehicle drive train having an engine that rotates the gears of a transmission, the method including the following steps: sensing various operating parameters of the vehicle and producing representative signals; determining a target value for each of the sensed vehicle operating parameters, the target value corresponding to a desired level of operation of a respective vehicle operating parameter; determining a plurality of performance ratings that correspond to the vehicle operating parameters in response to the difference between the sensed signal magnitudes and the respective target values, the performance ratings representing a level of performance of the vehicle operator with respect to the vehicle operating parameters; and generating an operator summary report of the performance ratings that includes recommendations for improving the performance of the vehicle operator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: sensing the rotational speed of the engine, and determining the average engine speed from the sensed rotational speeds of the engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method, as set forth in claim 2, including the steps of storing a software look-up table including a plurality of engine rating values that correspond to a plurality of engine speed values and selecting an engine speed rating in response to the average engine speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: sensing the speed of the vehicle, and determining an average vehicle speed from the sensed speeds of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method, as set forth in claim 4, including the steps of storing a software look-up table including a plurality of vehicle speed rating values that correspond to a plurality of vehicle speed values, and selecting a vehicle speed rating in response to the average vehicle speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: sensing the rotational speed of the engine, and determining the actual engine speed from the sensed rotational speed of the engine; sensing the speed of the vehicle, and determining an actual vehicle speed from the sensed speed of the vehicle; determining a speed ratio between the actual engine speed and the actual vehicle speed; and determining when a transmission upshift occurs in response to the speed ratio being greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method, as set forth in claim 6, including the steps of determining the average engine speed prior to the upshift.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method, as set forth in claim 7, including the steps of storing a software lookup table including a plurality of shift technique rating values that correspond to a plurality of engine speed values, and selecting a shift technique rating in response to the average engine speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: producing a desired engine speed signal; sensing the rotational speed of the engine, determining an average engine speed from the sensed rotational speeds of the engine and producing an average engine speed signal; and comparing the desired and average engine speed signals and determining an engine speed error.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method, as set forth in claim 9, including the steps of storing a software look-up table including a plurality of rating values that correspond to a plurality of engine speed error values and selecting a power demand rating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the step of determining an idle time percentage corresponds to the percentage of time that the engine is idling to the total time that the engine is running.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method, as set forth in claim 11, including the steps of storing in a software look-up table a plurality of idle time rating values that correspond to a plurality of idle time percentage values and selecting an idle time rating value in response to the determined idle time percentage.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |