Vehicle tampering protection system
A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle milleage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.
1. A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle distance travel data comprising the steps of:
receiving vehicle velocity data signals from a remote satellite system;
measuring vehicle velocity after a duration of vehicle operation at a substantially stable speed;
calculating a velocity difference between a vehicle velocity measured on-board and a vehicle velocity as determined from data signals received from a remote satellite system; and
communicating any condition whereby an absolute value of said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of validating vehicle odometer data during periods of allowable tolerance, whereby vehicle odometer data is transmitted by said satellite communication device to a vehicle fleet office.
3. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of validating vehicle odometer data during periods of allowable tolerance, whereby vehicle odometer data is transmitted by said satellite communication device to a vehicle fleet office at vehicle fleet office selected intervals.
4. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance to a vehicle fleet manager.
5. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance to a vehicle fleet manager, whereby not more than one communication is made during a reporting period.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the duration of said reporting period is determined by a vehicle fleet manager.
7. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance to a vehicle operator.
8. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of communicating any condition wherein said velocity difference is within an allowable tolerance to a vehicle operator.
9. A computer readable medium containing instructions for performing a method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle distance travel data comprising the steps of:
receiving vehicle velocity data signals from a remote satellite system;
measuring vehicle velocity after a duration of vehicle operation at a substantially stable speed;
calculating a velocity difference between a vehicle velocity measured on-board and a vehicle velocity as determined from data signals received from a remote satellite system; and
communicating any condition whereby an absolute value of said velocity difference is greater than an allowable tolerance.
10. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of recording vehicle odometer data in a wireless communication device.
11. The method of claim 9 comprising the step of recording vehicle odometer data in a wireless communication device.