Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-12-11
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle diagnosis or maintenance indication
C701S032000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330499
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle monitoring system and method, and more particularly to a method and system for vehicle diagnostics and health monitoring.
2. Description of the Related Art
Motor vehicles contain complex mechanical systems that are monitored and regulated by computer systems such as electronic control units (ECUs) and the like.
Such ECUs monitor various components of the vehicle including engine performance, carburation, speed/acceleration control, transmission, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), braking systems, etc.
However, vehicles perform such monitoring typically only for the vehicle driver and without communication of any impending results, problems and/or vehicle malfunction to a remote site for trouble-shooting, diagnosis or tracking for data mining.
Systems that provide for remote monitoring do not have a means for automated analysis and communication of problems or potential problems and recommendations to the driver.
As a result, the vehicle driver or user is often left stranded, or irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle as a result of neglect or driving the vehicle without the user knowing the vehicle is malfunctioning until it is too late.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing and other problems of the conventional methods and structures, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and structure to extract information provided by the vehicle's internal monitoring systems, to transfer that information to a remote service center, to provide a means and method for comparison and analysis of the information, and to provide timely information to the driver of the vehicle.
In a first aspect of the present invention, an information system for a vehicle includes an electronic data collector (e.g., preferably for obtaining electronic data from the vehicle's internal monitoring systems), a client computer device within the vehicle (e.g., preferably for data management, remote session management and user interaction), a communication unit (e.g., preferably coupled to the client computer device, for providing remote communication for the client computer device), a remote service center (e.g., including a vehicle data store, a server computer, and a call center for communicating with the client computer device via the communication unit).
With the unique and unobvious structure and method of the invention, information can be reliably extracted from a vehicle's internal monitoring systems, and the information can be transferred to a remote service center. Further, the information can be compared and analyzed, to provide timely information for the driver of the vehicle to avoid the vehicle driver being stranded or the vehicle being irreparably damaged. Additionally, the ability of a driver to initiate health checkups brings the driver assurance of the proper functioning of his vehicle as well as reminders for preventive maintenance which will prevent the development of problems.
This system and method benefits the vehicle manufacturer and service provider by enhancing customer loyalty and providing timely feedback to solve engineering and manufacturing problems.
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Research Disclosure 42261; Jun. 1999; anonymous.*
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Chakra Alan
Chou Paul Bao-Luo
Iyer Bhavani S.
Kim Euiyoung
Lai Jennifer
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kaufman, Esq. Stephen C.
McGinn & Gibb PLLC
Zanelli Michael J.
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