Automated vehicle inspection system
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for implementing an inspection system on a vehicle, comprising:
- a controller area network installed on the vehicle;
a general purpose computer coupled for communication with the controller area network;
a plurality of sensors broadcasting data over the controller area network;
means for routing the broadcast data to the general purpose computer;
programs stored on the general purpose computer and executable on the general purpose computer to implementing an inspection protocol including the collection of data from the sensors and directing activities of a driver moving through and around the vehicle; and
a user interface for displaying results and instructions to the driver.
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Abstract
The invention integrates a general purpose computer with a controller area network to effect an inspection regimen through the controller area network A convenient user interface, combining handheld instruments and convention displays and printers allows the driver to interact with the system. The computer provides storage for programs and processing power to implement test regimens in logical order relating to completion of the inspection.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Apparatus for implementing an inspection system on a vehicle, comprising:
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a controller area network installed on the vehicle;
a general purpose computer coupled for communication with the controller area network;
a plurality of sensors broadcasting data over the controller area network;
means for routing the broadcast data to the general purpose computer;
programs stored on the general purpose computer and executable on the general purpose computer to implementing an inspection protocol including the collection of data from the sensors and directing activities of a driver moving through and around the vehicle; and
a user interface for displaying results and instructions to the driver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle controller area network;
a plurality of autonomous local controllers relating to major vehicle systems connected to the vehicle controller area network;
an electrical system controller connected to the vehicle controller area network for managing the plurality of autonomous local controllers;
at least one sensor interface module connected to the vehicle controller area network;
a plurality of sensors, each connected to one of the plurality of autonomous local controllers, the electrical system controller, or the vehicle controller area network; and
a computer coupled for communication with the electrical system controller for implementing inspection of vehicle operating conditions measured by the plurality of sensors through a program. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle having an engine and various vehicle systems having operating fluids and characterized by operating fluid levels, the vehicle comprising:
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an electronic system controller;
a data communications bus connected at one node to the electronic system controller;
a plurality of sensors connected to the data communications bus for transmitting data to the electronic system controller;
an user input/output interface;
an on board computer connected to the user input/output interface and to the data communications bus, the on board computer including memory; and
a vehicle inspection regimen stored in the memory and executable on the on board computer, providing, means for checking fluid levels against one or more limits for various vehicle systems before engine start, means for prompting an operator through the user input/output interface to start the engine if the operating fluid levels meet applicable limits; and
means for completing the vehicle inspection regimen after an engine start.
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Specification