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

• US 20140156136A1
• Filed: 05/24/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• 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 9,183,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/31.4
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• 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 method for facilitating diagnosis and maintenance of a vehicle system, comprising:

obtaining diagnostic or test information using a portable, wireless handheld diagnostic device configured to detect electronic signals from a vehicle as an operator of the portable, wireless handheld device moves in or about the vehicle;

durably storing the diagnostic or test information in a memory of the portable, wireless handheld diagnostic device;

wirelessly transmitting the diagnostic or test information from the portable, wireless handheld diagnostic device to a remote vehicle database of a local area computer network, where the diagnostic or test information is associated with the specific vehicle; and

in response to a user request, accessing the diagnostic or test information stored in the vehicle database from a user computer.