Cellular phone configured with off-board device capabilities and starter/charger and battery testing capabilities

• US 20070198148A1
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Namaky, Hamid
• Granted Patent: US 7,463,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A device for retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle diagnostic system and for testing a starter/charger system comprising:

a cellular phone having a display, the cellular phone in circuit communication with an adaptor, wherein the adaptor is configured to selectively connect to at least one of a vehicle diagnostic system, a starter/charger system and a battery, wherein the adaptor is further configured to at least one of retrieve data from the vehicle diagnostic system, test the starter/charger system and test the battery, and communicate at least one of the data retrieved from the vehicle, a result of the starter/charger system test, and a result of a battery test to the display on the cellular phone.

21-24. -24. (canceled)

27-31. -31. (canceled)

33-47. -47. (canceled)

48. A battery testing device comprising:

a cellular phone in circuit communication with an adaptor, and a Kelvin type connector, connectable to a battery, placing the cellular phone and adaptor in circuit communication with the battery.

49. A testing device for obtaining diagnostic information relative to an automobile and obtaining diagnostic information relative to the condition of a battery comprising:

a cellular phone in circuit communication with an adaptor;

wherein the adaptor is configured to place the cellular phone in circuit communication with at least one of a vehicle diagnostic system, and a battery.