US5857159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data recording and display system
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1994-08-12
•
Granted: 1999-01-05
•
Expires: 2014-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine. The system includes a plurality of transducers delivering signals corresponding to such operational characteristics to a programmable logic device. These signals are converted to appropriate information signals which are stored in an associated storage device and can be selectively displayed on a suitable display device.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Dickrell
- 👤 Gregory S. Gauger
- 👤 Robert W. Keene
- 👤 Ronald J. Mearek
- 👤 Richard D. Rathe
- 👤 Brian T. Rolli
- 👤 Thomas R. Sandborg
- 👤 Greg A. Schumacher
- 👤 Scott G. Sinn
- 👤 Michael R. Verheyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/0231; G; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/08; G07C5/0816; G07C5/0825; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
An apparatus to controllably sense, record, and selectively display data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine, comprising: a programmable logic device; a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to said programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters; a storage device connected to said programmable logic device; a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device; and, wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce first and second predetermined sets of information signals, said first predetermined set of information signals being delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a first predetermined period, and preselected ones of said second predetermined set of information signals being controllably delivered to said local display device; and, wherein said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals are optionally further selectively and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce a third predetermined set of information signals, said third predetermined set of information signals being delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
215 words
An apparatus to controllably sense, record, and selectively display data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine, comprising: a programmable logic device; a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to said programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters; a storage device connected to said programmable logic device; a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device; and, wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce first and second predetermined sets of information signals, said first predetermined set of information signals being delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a first predetermined period, and preselected ones of said second predetermined set of information signals being controllably delivered to said local display device; and, wherein said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals are optionally further selectively and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce a third predetermined set of information signals, said third predetermined set of information signals being delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said storage device includes both volatile and non-volatile dynamic memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said local display device includes a control portion having at least one manually operable control switch connected to said programmable logic device in a manner sufficient to select which of said information signals is displayed on said local display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said programmable logic device includes a communication port and including a data transmission device connected to said communication port, said data transmission device being sufficient to deliver selected ones of said information signals to a remote location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein access to and removal of the accumulated information signals stored in said storage device is controllably restricted using one or more levels of password protection.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus to controllably sense, record, and selectively display data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine in accordance with a plurality of selectable operating modes, comprising: a programmable logic device; a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to said programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters; a storage device connected to said programmable logic device; a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device; and, wherein said plurality of selectable operating modes include: a cumulative mode wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and are controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce first information signals that are delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a first predetermined period; an instantaneous mode wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and are controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce second information signals that are controllably delivered to said local display device; and, an intermittent mode wherein said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals are optionally further selectively and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce a third predetermined set of information signals that are delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus to controllably sense, record, and selectively display data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine in accordance with a plurality of selectable operating modes, comprising: a programmable logic device; a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to said programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters; a storage device connected to said programmable logic device; a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device; and, wherein said plurality of selectable operating modes include: a cumulative mode wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and are controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce first information signals that are delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a first predetermined period; an instantaneous mode wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and are controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce second information signals that are controllably delivered to said local display device; and, an intermittent mode wherein said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals are optionally further selectively and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce a third predetermined set of information signals that are delivered to said storage device and individually accumulated in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controllably sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine having a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to a programmable logic device and adapted to produce parameter signals in response to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters, and having a storage device connected to said programmable logic device and a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device, comprising the steps of: controllably manipulating said parameter signals to produce first and second predetermined sets of information signals; delivering said first predetermined set of information signals to said storage device and individually accumulating said first predetermined set of information signals in said storage device during a first predetermined period; controllably delivering preselected ones of said second predetermined set of information signals to said local display device; selectively and controllably manipulating said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals to produce a third predetermined set of information signals; and, delivering said third predetermined set of information signals to said storage device and individually accumulating said third predetermined set of information signals in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for controllably sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine having a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to a programmable logic device and adapted to produce parameter signals in response to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters, and having a storage device connected to said programmable logic device and a local display device connectable to said programmable logic device, comprising the steps of: controllably manipulating said parameter signals to produce first and second predetermined sets of information signals; delivering said first predetermined set of information signals to said storage device and individually accumulating said first predetermined set of information signals in said storage device during a first predetermined period; controllably delivering preselected ones of said second predetermined set of information signals to said local display device; selectively and controllably manipulating said parameter signals and said first predetermined set of information signals to produce a third predetermined set of information signals; and, delivering said third predetermined set of information signals to said storage device and individually accumulating said third predetermined set of information signals in said storage device during a second predetermined period, said second predetermined period being a subset of said first predetermined period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3828742A
Cited
US4368705A
Cited
US4521885A
Cited
US4608638A
Cited
US4613939A
Cited
US4853856A
Cited
US4926331A
Cited
US4987541A
Cited
US4858133A
Cited
US4949263A
Cited
US4939652A
Cited
US5173856A
Cited
US5033010A
Cited
US5350076A
Cited
US5305219A
Cited
US5305216A
Cited
US5450321A
Cited
US5311430A
Cited
US5325082A
Cited
US5446659A
Cited
US5479350A
Cited
US5600558A
Cited
US5642284A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-04 | 2002-07-06 | 2003-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-04 | 2006-07-06 | 2007-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-04 | 2010-07-06 | 2011-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |