Patent ID: 7532962
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: G01M,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for interfacing with an on-board diagnostic computer in a vehicle, wherein the on-board diagnostic computer is configured to monitor a set of operational characteristics of the vehicle, the system comprising: a wireless appliance in the vehicle configured to communicate with the vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer, said wireless appliance comprising (i) a wireless communication component and (ii) a data-collection component, wherein the software component includes a field configured to describe said user specified first schedule, wherein the software component includes a second field configured to describe said user specified second schedule, wherein the operational characteristics include at least one of the following: diagnostic trouble codes, vehicle speed, fuel level, fuel pressure, miles per gallon, engine RPM, mileage, oil pressure, oil temperature, tire pressure, tire temperature, engine coolant temperature, intake-manifold pressure, engine-performance tuning parameters, alarm status, accelerometer status, cruise-control status, fuel-injector performance, spark-plug timing, or a status of an anti-lock braking system, wherein the wireless appliance is configured to send an outgoing data packet that indicates a vehicle's location, wherein the data-collection component is configured to automatically, repeatedly collect said data from the vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer at times determined by said user specified first schedule specified in the software component, and wherein the wireless communication component is configured to automatically, repeatedly, and wirelessly transmit to a base station the collected data at times determined by said user specified second schedule specified in the software component.