Smart Phone App-Based Remote Vehicle Diagnostic System and Method

• US 20130304278A1
• Filed: 05/09/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Chen, Ieon C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,002,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

Provided is a remote vehicle diagnostic system which utilizes a smart phone as a centralized communication hub between a vehicle and several remote resources. The system includes a program downloadable onto the smart phone to program the phone to perform desired functionality. The smart phone app may allow the smart phone to operate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode. In the diagnostic mode, the smart phone may relay vehicle data from the vehicle to a remote diagnostic center. The smart phone may also query the user to obtain symptomatic diagnostic information, which may be uploaded to the remote diagnostic center. In the emergency mode, the smart phone may be configured to upload critical information to a remote diagnostic center, or an emergency response center. The emergency mode may be triggered automatically in response to the vehicle being in an accident, or by user actuation.

Claims

1. An automotive diagnostic system for use with a remote diagnostic center, a smart phone, and a vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer which generates and stores vehicle data including at least one diagnostic trouble code (DTC) generated in response to a problematic operating condition and an accident indicator generated in response to a vehicle accident event, the automotive diagnostic system comprising:

a data storage unit connectable with the onboard vehicle computer for retrieving vehicle data from the onboard vehicle computer and storing the vehicle data, the data storage unit being configured to generate a first emergency initiation signal in response to receipt of the accident indicator; and

a computer readable medium downloadable onto the smart phone for configuring the smart phone to;

communicate with the data storage unit;

receive a second emergency initiation signal from the user;

operate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode;

in the diagnostic mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center when the vehicle data includes at least one DTC, and initiates a symptomatic question sequence for the user when the vehicle data does not include at least one DTC; and

in the emergency mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center automatically in response to receipt of one of the first and second emergency initiation signals; and

assign a diagnostic mode button and an emergency mode button, such that when the diagnostic mode button is activated by the user, the smart phone enters the diagnostic mode, and when the emergency mode button is activated by the user, the second initiation signal is generated.

2. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage unit includes a buffer memory module and a long-term memory module, the buffer memory module configured to temporarily store vehicle data therein for a prescribed buffer period, data storage unit being configured to transfer the data from the buffer memory module to the long-term memory module for long-term storage.

3. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 2, wherein the data storage unit transfers vehicle data from the buffer memory module to the long-term memory module in response to receipt of the accident indicator.

4. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 2, wherein the computer readable medium configures the smart phone to enable programming of the duration of the buffer period.

5. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein in the diagnostic mode, the smart phone sends a data request signal to the data storage unit.

6. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smart phone.

7. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the symptomatic question sequence includes a plurality symptomatic questions displayed on the smart phone display screen.

8. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 7, wherein the smart phone is configured to receive symptomatic user input in response to displaying the plurality of symptomatic questions on the smart phone display screen.

9. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 8, wherein the smart phone is configured to upload the symptomatic user input to the remote diagnostic center.

10. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the diagnostic mode button and emergency mode button is a touch screen button.

11. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the smart phone, in the emergency mode, is configured to automatically initiate a telephone call with the remote diagnostic center in response to receipt of one of the first and second emergency initiation signals.

12. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein:

the computer readable medium is configured to program the smart phone to receive a user alarm input and transmit an alarm signal to the data storage unit in response to receiving the user alarm input; and

the data storage unit is configured to transmit a vehicle alarm signal to the onboard computer to activate the vehicle alarm.

13. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 12, wherein the user alarm input includes the user pressing and holding an emergency mode button on the smart phone.

14. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further configures the smart phone to generate and send a message to an emergency contact in response to receipt of one of the first and second emergency initiation signals.

15. An automotive diagnostic system for use with a remote diagnostic center, a smart phone, and a vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer which generates and stores vehicle data including at least one diagnostic trouble code (DTC) generated in response to a problematic operating condition and an accident indicator generated in response to an vehicle accident event, the automotive diagnostic system comprisingcomprising:

a computer readable medium downloadable onto the smart phone for configuring the smart phone to;

communicate with the onboard vehicle computer;

receive a second emergency initiation signal from the user; and

operate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode;

in the diagnostic mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center when the vehicle data includes at least one DTC, and initiates a symptomatic question sequence for the user when the vehicle data does not include at least one DTC; and

in the emergency mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center automatically in response to receipt of one of the first and second emergency initiation signals.

16. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the symptomatic question sequence includes a plurality symptomatic questions displayed on the smart phone display screen.

17. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 16, wherein the smart phone is configured to receive symptomatic user input in response to displaying the plurality of symptomatic questions on the smart phone display screen.

18. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 17, wherein the smart phone is configured to upload the symptomatic user input to the remote diagnostic center.

19. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 17, wherein the computer readable medium configures the smart phone to assign a diagnostic mode button and an emergency mode button, such that when the diagnostic mode button is activated by the user, the smart phone enters the diagnostic mode, and when the emergency mode button is activated by the user, the second initiation signal is generated.

20. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the computer readable medium further configures the smart phone to operative in a vehicle control mode, wherein actuation of the first button generates a command signal to be sent to the vehicle for controlling a vehicle system, and wherein actuation of the second button establishes communication with a remote customer service center.

21. An automotive diagnostic system for use with a remote diagnostic center, a smart phone and a vehicle having an onboard computer which generates and stores vehicle data including at least one diagnostic trouble code (DTC) generated in response to a problematic operating condition and an accident indicator generated in response to a vehicle accident event, the automotive diagnostic system comprising:

a data storage unit connectable with the onboard vehicle computer for retrieving vehicle data from the onboard vehicle computer and storing the vehicle data, the data storage unit being configured to generate a first emergency initiation signal in response to receipt of the accident indicator;

a communications module disposable in operable communication with the smart phone to configure the smart phone to communicate with the data storage unit, and the remote diagnostic center;

a user input module disposable in operable communication with the smart phone to configure the smart phone to receive a second emergency initiation signal from the user;

a symptomatic questioning module disposable in operable communication with the smart phone to configure the smart phone to display a symptomatic question sequence; and

an operations module disposable in operable communication with the smart phone to configure the smart phone to operate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode;

in the diagnostic mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center when the vehicle data includes at least one DTC, and initiates the symptomatic question sequence for the user when the vehicle data does not include at least one DTC; and

in the emergency mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center automatically in response to receipt of one of the first and second emergency initiation signals.