US5917434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated taximeter/GPS position tracking system
Assignee: Trimble Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-15
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Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2015-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A taximeter system includes a taximeter or trip meter for a truck integrated with an integral GPS receive/computer for providing GPS position and time information. The odometer input pulses to the taximeter are accurately calibrated by using GPS position, velocity, and time information to generate corrected odometer pulses which are provided to the odometer input terminal of the taximeter. The GPS system is integrated into the taximeter for calibrating and cross checking of input odometer pulses to provide reliable, consistent distance measurements by the taximeter. The integrated taximeter and GPS system provided according to the invention uses GPS position, velocity, and time information to produce incontrovertibly accurate corrected, odometer input pulses and GPS time signals for the taximeter to precisely compute elapsed time and distance traveled. Dead reckoning operation of the system is available when the GPS receiver has service outages. A calibrated mileage meter for trucks also includes an integral GPS receive/computer for providing accurately calibrated odometer pulses to the mileage meter. Certain locations can be tagged and a printer and recorder are recorded for documentation of trip information such as when a vehicle enters or leaves a state, proof of a path followed by a vehicle, delivery of good at a certain site, operation within speed limits, certification of operation within a certain geographic area.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B13/00; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/38; G01S19/39; G01S19/42; G01S19/48; G01S19/49; G07B13/02; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; G07C5/08; G07C5/0808; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/123; G08G1/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A calibrated electronic taximeter system for a taxi, comprising: a GPS receiver/computer system having means for receiving input odometer pulses from an odometer, said GPS receiver/computer system providing GPS information as output signals; interface means for receiving the GPS information from the GPS receiver/computer system and for providing continuously calibrated odometer output pulses as a function of the received GPS information, when the GPS information is available; a taximeter having means for receiving calibrated odometer output pulses from the interface means and for receiving the GPS information, said taximeter having means for computing and displaying a taxi fare from the calibrated odometer output pulses and GPS information provided by said GPS receiver/computer system; wherein the GPS receiver/computer system includes dead reckoning means for providing location information to the GPS computer system during GPS receiver system service outages; means for providing trip information; means for recording the trip information; and wherein the trip information includes information selected from the group consisting of information about when and where a vehicle enters and leaves a predetermined zone, information establishing proof of a path followed by a taxi, information about operation within speed limits, and information verifying operation within a certain geographic area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A calibrated electronic taximeter system for a taxi, comprising: a GPS receiver/computer system having means for receiving input odometer pulses from an odometer, said GPS receiver/computer system providing GPS information as output signals; interface means for receiving the GPS information from the GPS receiver/computer system and for providing continuously calibrated odometer output pulses as a function of the received GPS information, when the GPS information is available; a taximeter having means for receiving calibrated odometer output pulses from the interface means and for receiving the GPS information, said taximeter having means for computing and displaying a taxi fare from the calibrated odometer output pulses and GPS information provided by said GPS receiver/computer system; wherein the GPS receiver/computer system includes dead reckoning means for providing location information to the GPS computer system during GPS receiver system service outages; means for providing trip information; means for recording the trip information; and wherein the trip information includes information selected from the group consisting of information about when and where a vehicle enters and leaves a predetermined zone, information establishing proof of a path followed by a taxi, information about operation within speed limits, and information verifying operation within a certain geographic area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the GPS receiver/computer system includes differential GPS means for improving the accuracy of the GPS receiver/system.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of calibrating a taximeter installed in a taxi vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing GPS position information and GPS time information as output signals from a GPS receiver/computer system; receiving input odometer pulses from an odometer; providing calibrated odometer output pulses as a function of the received GPS velocity information and GPS time information; computing a taxi fare in a taximeter from the calibrated odometer output pulses provided by said GPS receiver/computer system; displaying the taxi fare; using a dead reckoning navigation system for providing location information to the GPS computer system during GPS receiver system service outages; providing the trip information; displaying the trip information; recording the trip information; and wherein the step of providing the trip information includes information selected from the group consisting of the step of providing information about proof of a path followed by a taxi vehicle, providing information about operation of a vehicle within speed limits; and providing information about certification of operation within a certain geographic area.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of calibrating a taximeter installed in a taxi vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing GPS position information and GPS time information as output signals from a GPS receiver/computer system; receiving input odometer pulses from an odometer; providing calibrated odometer output pulses as a function of the received GPS velocity information and GPS time information; computing a taxi fare in a taximeter from the calibrated odometer output pulses provided by said GPS receiver/computer system; displaying the taxi fare; using a dead reckoning navigation system for providing location information to the GPS computer system during GPS receiver system service outages; providing the trip information; displaying the trip information; recording the trip information; and wherein the step of providing the trip information includes information selected from the group consisting of the step of providing information about proof of a path followed by a taxi vehicle, providing information about operation of a vehicle within speed limits; and providing information about certification of operation within a certain geographic area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of using differential GPS means for improving the accuracy of the GPS receiver/system.
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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) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |