US Patent 9886800 Engine state detection device

A device for collecting vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBO) data is disclosed, together with an associated method of collecting OBD data in such devices. In embodiments, the OBO data collection device includes a connector for connecting the device to a vehicle OBO port to receive OBO data and power and a processor for controlling collection of the OBO data. The processor is arranged to determine a vehicle engine state by monitoring a voltage at the connector, taken in combination with OBO data relating to vehicle speed and/or engine revolutions. Such devices are able to reliably detect both engine ‘on’ and ‘off’ states in modern vehicles that use “smart charging” technology.