SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING DIAGNOSIS AND MAINTENANCE OF A MOBILE CONVEYANCE

• US 20100235042A1
• Filed: 05/26/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
• Original Assignee: I/O Controls Corporation
• Inventors: Ying, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/27 for locating or positioning the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]

Abstract

A system for facilitating diagnosis and maintenance of a control networks on a mobile conveyance comprises one or more wireless ground stations configured to communicate over a wireless communication channel with the control network. A local area computer network receives and responds to messages to or from the control network via the wireless ground stations. The local area computer network may have user terminals, a server computer, a database comprising diagnostic information relating to said control network, and a replacement parts database and/or job auction database. The local area network may also include a wide area network interface, allowing diagnostic information for the control network to be retrieved or parts to be ordered from remote vendor sites. The system may also include wireless handheld, portable equipment for allowing service personnel to perform diagnostic analysis, maintenance, and testing of the mobile conveyance control network.

Claims

1. A portable device for use in diagnosis, test or maintenance of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing containing a processor, said processor configured to receive and process locally generated electronic signals providing an indication of a position of the device relative to specific locations in a vehicle as an operator moves in or about the vehicle;

a transmitter and receiver within said housing for communicating over a wireless communication link to a remote control and management center;

an antenna coupled to said transmitter and receiver;

a graphical screen display;

an interactive user input mechanism; and

a memory for durably storing diagnostic or test information generated at least in part from data entered by the operator of the device via the interactive user input mechanism.

2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the indication of position is provided from position sensors located around the vehicle.

3. The portable device of claim 2, wherein one or more of the position sensors is located on a wall, ceiling or floor of the vehicle.

4. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter, and wherein the receiver is a radio frequency receiver.

5. The portable device of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency receiver receives electronic signals from at least one wireless ground station in the vicinity of the vehicle providing an indication of position.

6. The portable device of claim 5, wherein the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver communicate with the wireless ground station using a short-range non-cellular radio frequency communication link.

7. The portable device of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency receiver receives electronic signals from a plurality of wireless ground stations in the vicinity of the vehicle, and wherein the processor is configured to process the electronic signals to derive a position of the device relative to the vehicle.

8. The portable device of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a transit vehicle.

9. The portable device of claim 1, wherein said interactive user input mechanism comprises a touchscreen.

10. The portable device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter transmits the vehicle-related diagnostic or test data from the memory of the device to a diagnostic database at the remote control and management center.

14. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver communicate wireless with an on-board vehicle control network having a wireless interface.

15. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency receiver receives electronic signals from at least one wireless ground station in the vicinity of the vehicle providing an indication of position.

16. The portable device of claim 15, wherein the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver communicate with the wireless ground station using a short-range non-cellular radio frequency communication link.

17. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency receiver receives electronic signals from a plurality of wireless ground stations in the vicinity of the vehicle, and wherein the processor is configured to process the electronic signals to derive a position of the device relative to the vehicle.

18. The portable device of claim 10, wherein said vehicle is a transit vehicle.

19. The portable device of claim 10, wherein said interactive user input mechanism comprises a touchscreen.

20. The portable device of claim 10, wherein said radio frequency transmitter transmits the vehicle-related diagnostic or test data from the memory of the device to a remote diagnostic database.

11. A portable device for use in diagnosis, test or maintenance of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing;

a processor configured to process locally generated electronic signals providing an indication of a position of the device relative to specific locations in a vehicle as an operator moves in or about the vehicle in connection with diagnoses, test or maintenance activities;

a radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver for communicating over a wireless communication link to a remote control and management center;

an antenna coupled to said transmitter and receiver;

a graphical screen display;

an interactive user input mechanism; and

a memory for durably storing diagnostic or test information generated at least in part from data entered by the operator of the device via the interactive user input mechanism.

12. The portable device of claim 11, wherein the indication of position is provided from position sensors located around the vehicle.

13. The portable device of claim 12, wherein one or more of the position sensors is located on a wall, ceiling or floor of the vehicle.