US6230087B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicular running loss detecting system
Assignee: Envirotest Systems Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 2000-02-11
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Granted: 2001-05-08
•
Expires: 2020-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for detecting running loss emissions is provided. A remote sensing device is used to detect vehicular exhaust emissions. The detected emissions are analyzed to determine a characteristic profile. The characteristic profile is processed to determine whether the profile is suspect or invalid. Invalid and suspect profiles are further analyzed to determine if running losses (e.g., leaky gas cap vapors, blow by emissions, etc.) are present. Profiles labeled as containing running losses may be further processed to generate statistical information, deliver notification to vehicle owners, or other actions.
Inventors
- 👤 John DiDomenico
- 👤 Craig S. Rendahl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3504; G01N2021/3513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for analyzing exhaust emissions, the method comprising the steps of: detecting exhaust emissions, using a remote emissions detecting system to capture exhaust emissions data from a moving vehicle, and processing the exhaust emissions data to provide a characteristic profile; determining whether the characteristic profile is invalid or suspect by comparing the characteristic profile to predetermined values to determine if the characteristic profile exceeds or lags the predetermined values; and determining whether an invalid or suspect characteristic profile correlates to at least one predetermined criterion which indicates the presence of running losses by comparing one or more characteristics of the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to one or more characteristics of a stored emission pattern signature representing running loss.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for analyzing exhaust emissions, the method comprising the steps of: detecting exhaust emissions, using a remote emissions detecting system to capture exhaust emissions data from a moving vehicle, and processing the exhaust emissions data to provide a characteristic profile; determining whether the characteristic profile is invalid or suspect by comparing the characteristic profile to predetermined values to determine if the characteristic profile exceeds or lags the predetermined values; and determining whether an invalid or suspect characteristic profile correlates to at least one predetermined criterion which indicates the presence of running losses by comparing one or more characteristics of the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to one or more characteristics of a stored emission pattern signature representing running loss.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: flagging the characteristic profile according to the result of the step of determining if there is an indication of the presence of running loss.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether an invalid or suspect characteristic profile correlates to at least one predetermined criterion which indicates the presence of running losses by comparing the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to the stored emission pattern signature further comprises: accessing a database of one or more stored emission pattern signatures representing running loss.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: using the flagged characteristic profile indicating the presence of running loss, to take other action.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of using the flagged characteristic profile to take other action further comprises: causing a notification to issue, wherein the notification comprises a request to remedy the running loss.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of using the flagged characteristic profile to take other action further comprises: compiling data regarding the attributes of vehicles exhibiting running loss.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of compiling data regarding the attributes of vehicles exhibiting running loss further comprises: compiling data regarding at least one of the make, model, and year of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: removing the portion of characteristic profile indicative of running loss to create a corrected characteristic profile for the vehicle exhaust plume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: processing a characteristic profile of a vehicle exhibiting running loss to determine a concentration of at least one exhaust emission constituent selected from the group consisting of: CO, CO 2 , and NO x , where x is an interger.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for analyzing exhaust emissions, the system comprising: a remote detector system to detect exhaust emissions data from a moving vehicle, and process the exhaust emissions data and create a characteristic profile; a first decision module to determine whether the emission signature profile indicates that the detected exhaust emissions are invalid or suspect by comparing the characteristic profile to predetermined values to determine if the characteristic profile exceeds or lags the predetermined values; and a second decision module to determine whether the any invalid or suspect emission signature profile indicates the presence of running loss by comparing one or more characteristics of the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to one or more characteristics of a stored emission pattern signature representing running loss.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for analyzing exhaust emissions, the system comprising: a remote detector system to detect exhaust emissions data from a moving vehicle, and process the exhaust emissions data and create a characteristic profile; a first decision module to determine whether the emission signature profile indicates that the detected exhaust emissions are invalid or suspect by comparing the characteristic profile to predetermined values to determine if the characteristic profile exceeds or lags the predetermined values; and a second decision module to determine whether the any invalid or suspect emission signature profile indicates the presence of running loss by comparing one or more characteristics of the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to one or more characteristics of a stored emission pattern signature representing running loss.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising: flagging module to label the emission signature profile according to the result of the determination made by the second decision module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11 further comprising: a storage repository comprising the stored emission pattern signatures representing running loss.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising: a notification module which causes a notification to issue based on the determination of the second decision module, wherein the notification comprises a request to remedy the running loss.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electronic storage medium having code embodied therein for causing a processing system to analyze detected exhaust emissions, the medium comprising: analyzing code that causes a processor to analyze the detected exhaust emissions to create an emission signature profile; decision code that causes a processor to determine whether the emission signature profile indicates that the detected emissions are invalid or suspect by comparing the characteristic profile to predetermined values to determine if the characteristic profile exceeds or lags the predetermined values; and correlation code that causes a processor to determine whether any invalid or suspect signature profiles correlate to a predetermined criteria indicative of the presence of running loss by comparing one or more characteristics of the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to one or more characteristics of a stored emission pattern signature representing running loss.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electronic storage medium having code embodied therein for causing a processing system to analyze detected exhaust emissions, the medium comprising: analyzing code that causes a processor to analyze the detected exhaust emissions to create an emission signature profile; decision code that causes a processor to determine whether the emission signature profile indicates that the detected emissions are invalid or suspect by comparing the characteristic profile to predetermined values to determine if the characteristic profile exceeds or lags the predetermined values; and correlation code that causes a processor to determine whether any invalid or suspect signature profiles correlate to a predetermined criteria indicative of the presence of running loss by comparing one or more characteristics of the invalid or suspect characteristic profile to one or more characteristics of a stored emission pattern signature representing running loss.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electronic storage medium as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: flagging code that causes a processor to flag the emission signature profiles according to the result of the determination of the emission signature profile's correlation to a predetermined criteria.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic storage medium as claimed in claim 14 further comprising notification code that causes a processor to issue a notification based on the result of the determination of the emission signature profile's correlation to a predetermined criteria.
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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) | 2004-05-07 | 2004-11-06 | 2005-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-07 | 2008-11-06 | 2009-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-07 | 2012-11-06 | 2013-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |