Patent ID: 8271162

Claim:
A method, for processing a parameter associated with a vehicle, comprising: receiving, at a tangible computer processor, from a user by way of a machine-user interface, a value for an operating-parameter threshold to be compared with an operating parameter of the vehicle; and storing, using the tangible computer processor, the value for the operating-parameter threshold on a tangible storage medium; wherein the operating-parameter threshold is selected from a group of operating-parameter thresholds consisting of: a shift-parameter threshold relating to a time of departure from a service center; a stationary-time-parameter threshold relating to a maximum amount of time the vehicle is allowed to be stationary; a windshield-parameter threshold relating to a minimum amount of driving time and a maximum amount of driving time; an ignition-on-parameter threshold relating to an amount of time an ignition device of the vehicle is activated; a revisit-parameter threshold relating to a number of times the vehicle is allowed to visit a service center; a mileage-parameter threshold relating to a distance traveled by the vehicle; a grouping-of-vehicles-parameter threshold relating to proximity of vehicles to each other; and an out-of-gate/back-to-location-parameter threshold relating to a number of revisits the vehicle makes to a location within a time period.