Patent ID: 8838362
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: G07C

Abstract:
1. A vehicle monitoring apparatus, comprising: an interface configured to connect to a diagnostic port of a vehicle; a processor coupled to the interface and configured to communicate with and collect vehicle data from the diagnostic port while an engine of the vehicle is running if the vehicle is stationary and if the vehicle is in motion; a sensor coupled to the processor and configured to detect a factor indicating a presence of a driver in the vehicle, the sensor causing the apparatus to transition from a first power mode to a second power mode upon detection of the factor and from the second power mode to a third power mode if the engine is running, the apparatus drawing more power from the vehicle in the second power mode than in the first power mode and more power from the vehicle in the third power mode than in the second power mode, wherein the first power mode is representative of a low power mode, the second power mode is representative of an intermediate power mode, and the third power mode is representative of a full power mode; and a housing comprising the processor and the sensor.