Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-29
2004-05-04
Beaulieu, Yonel (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
C701S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06732031
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the use of wireless communications and diagnostic systems in automotive vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires vehicle manufacturers to install on-board diagnostics (OBD) for emission control on their light-duty automobiles and trucks beginning with model year 1996. OBD systems (e.g., computer, microcontrollers, and sensors) monitor the vehicle's emission control systems to detect any malfunction or deterioration that causes emissions to exceed EPA-mandated thresholds. Such a system, for example, is an oxygen sensor located in the vehicle's exhaust manifold and tailpipe.
The EPA requires that all information monitored or calculated by OBD systems is made available through a standardized, serial 16-cavity connector referred to as the ALDL (Assembly Line Diagnostic Link) or OBD connector. All physical and electrical characteristics of this connector are standard for all vehicles sold in the United States after 1996. The EPA also mandates that, when emission thresholds are exceeded, diagnostic information characterized by OBD systems must be stored in the vehicle's central computer so that it can be used during diagnosis and repair.
A second generation of OBD systems (“OBD-II” systems) monitors a wide range of data that indicate the performance of the host vehicle. For example, these data can be analyzed to infer the vehicle's emission performance. In addition to emissions, OBD-II systems monitor vehicle speed, mileage, engine temperature, and intake manifold pressure. OBD-II systems also query manufacturer-specific data, such as data relating to the vehicle's engine, transmission, brakes, alarm, entertainment systems. OBD-II systems also monitor codes called diagnostic trouble codes, or “DTCs”, which indicate a mechanic or electrical problem with the vehicle. DTCs are the codes that typically light a vehicle's 'service engine soon' light. In total, OBD-II systems typically access more than 300 segments of data relating to the performance and make of the host vehicle.
In addition to the OBD-II systems, most vehicles manufactured after 1996 have electronic control units (ECUs) that control internal electromechanical actuators. Examples include ECUs that control fuel-injector pulses, spark-plug timing, and anti-lock braking systems. Most ECUs transmit status and diagnostic information over a shared, standardized electronic buss in the vehicle. The buss effectively functions as an on-board computer network with many processors, each of which transmits and receives data. The primary computers in this network are the vehicle's electronic-control module (ECM) and power-control module (PCM). The ECM typically accesses computers and microcontrollers that monitor or control engine functions (e.g., the cruise-control module, spark controller, exhaust/gas recirculator). The PCM typically controls or monitors ECUs associated with the vehicle's power train (e.g., its engine, transmission, and braking systems).
When a vehicle is serviced, data from the standardized buss can be queried using external engine-diagnostic equipment (commonly called ‘scan tools’) that connect to the above-described 16-cavity electrical connector (called an OBD-II connector for vehicles made after 1996). The OBD-II connector is typically located under the vehicle's dashboard on the driver's side. Data transferred through the connector to the scan tool yields data that identify a status of the vehicle and whether or not a specific component of the vehicle has malfunctioned. This makes the service process more efficient and cost-effective.
Some manufacturers include complex electronic systems in their vehicles to access and analyze the above-described data. These systems are not connected through the OBD-II connector, but instead are wired directly to the vehicle's electronic system. This wiring process typically takes place when the vehicle is manufactured. In some cases these systems transmit data through a wireless network.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to address the limitations of the conventional engine-diagnostic systems discussed above. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to both access and send data over the ODB-II connector using a remote, wireless system that connects to the Internet using an airlink. The device used for accessing and transmitting the data is simple, low-cost, and easy-to-install.
In one aspect, the invention features a method and apparatus for remotely characterizing a vehicle's performance. The method features the steps of: i) generating data representative of the vehicle's performance with at least one microcontroller disposed within the vehicle; ii) transferring the data through an OBD, OBD-II or equivalent electrical connector to a data collector/router that includes a microprocessor and an electrically connected wireless transmitter; iii) transmitting a data packet representing the data with the wireless transmitter over an airlink, to a wireless communications system, and then to a host computer; and iv) analyzing the data packet with the host computer. Once analyzed, the data can be used to characterize the vehicle's performance, e.g. evaluate the vehicle's electrical and mechanical systems. The data can also be used for other purposes, such as for insurance-related issues, surveys, and vehicle tracking.
The terms ‘microcontroller’ and ‘microprocessor’ refer to standard electronic devices (e.g., programmable, silicon-based devices) that can control and/or process data. For example, a sensor disposed in the vehicle (e.g., an oxygen sensor) would be a microcontroller. “Airlink” refers to a standard wireless connection between a transmitter and a receiver.
In the above-described method, steps i)-iv) can be performed at any time and with any frequency, depending on the diagnoses being performed. For a ‘real-time’ diagnoses of a vehicle's engine performance, for example, the steps may be performed at rapid time or mileage intervals (e.g., several times each minute, or every few miles). Alternatively, other diagnoses (e.g. a ‘smog check’ that includes inferring the concentrations of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, or carbon monoxide) may require the steps to be performed only once each year or after a large number of miles are driven. Steps i)-iii) (i.e. the ‘generating’, ‘transferring’, and ‘transmitting’ steps) may be performed in response to a signal sent from the host computer to the vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle may be configured to automatically perform these steps at predetermined or random time intervals.
The generating step typically includes generating data encoded in a digital format using the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECM) and/or power control unit (PCM). The data, for example, describes the vehicle's mileage, exhaust emissions, engine performance, engine temperature, coolant temperature, intake-manifold pressure, engine-performance tuning parameters, alarm status, accelerometer status, cruise-control status, fuel-injector performance, spark-plug timing, and/or a status of an anti-lock braking system. The data can also be a DTC or related code. The analyzing step features extracting data from the transmitted data packet, and then storing the data in a computer memory or database.
Once stored, the data is processed in a variety of ways. For example, the processing can simply involve determining the vehicle's odometer reading, and then comparing this reading to a schedule that lists recommended, mileage-dependent service events (e.g., a 5000-mile tune-up). Other algorithms include those that compare current data with data collected at an earlier time to dynamically characterize the performance of the vehicle. In another example, the algorithms compare the data with a predetermined numerical value or collection of values. For example, the data can correspond to a level of the vehicle's exh
Botrego Diego
Lightner Bruce
Lowrey Larkin Hill
Myers Chuck
Beaulieu Yonel
Glazier Stephen C.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
LandOfFree
Wireless diagnostic system for vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wireless diagnostic system for vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wireless diagnostic system for vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3249258