Method and apparatus for unattended data collection
A method for unattended data collection is provided. The method monitors, stores and/or transmits data representative of the operation of a component or system, whereby the transmitted data may be analyzed and vehicle performance improved through the analysis thereof.
1 . A method for collecting data from a vehicle comprising:
initializing a recorder module;
receiving a setup command remotely from the vehicle wherein the setup command indicates the type of data to be collected;
collecting data from one or more predefined sources in response to the setup command;
determining if one or more predefined triggers are met;
recording at least a portion of the data in the recorder module if one of the predefined triggers has been met; and
powering-down the recorder module after the vehicle has been turned off to conserve energy.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said collecting data includes collecting data from one or more vehicle control modules.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said collecting data includes collecting data from a global positioning system.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said collecting data includes collecting data from a vehicles internal communication links.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a control module trigger has been met.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a manual transmit button trigger has been met.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a raw data trigger has been met.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a time trigger has been met.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if an internal trigger has been met.
10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising supplying power to the recorder module after the vehicle is turned off such that any unrecorded data may be preserved.
11 . A method for collecting data from a vehicle comprising:
initializing a recorder module;
receiving a setup command remotely from the vehicle wherein the setup command indicates the type of data to be collected;
collecting data from one or more predefined sources in response to the setup command;
determining if one or more predefined triggers are met;
recording at least a portion of the data in the recorder module if one of the predefined triggers has been met;
supplying power to the recorder module after the vehicle is turned off such that any unrecorded data may be preserved; and
powering-down the recorder module after the unrecorded data is preserved to conserve energy.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a control module trigger has been met.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a manual transmit button trigger has been met.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a raw data trigger has been met.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a time trigger has been met.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if an internal trigger has been met.
17 . A method for collecting data from a vehicle comprising:
initializing a recorder module;
receiving a setup command remotely from the vehicle indicating the type of data to be collected;
collecting data from one or more predefined sources in response to the setup command;
determining if one or more predefined triggers are met;
recording at least a portion of the data in the recorder module if one of the predefined triggers has been met; and
supplying power to the recorder module after the vehicle is turned off such that any unrecorded data may be preserved.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a control module trigger has been met.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a manual transmit button trigger has been met.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said determining if one or more predefined triggers are met includes determining if a raw data trigger has been met.