METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES

• US 20140195098A1
• Filed: 01/09/2013
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The American Automobile Association Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The American Automobile Association Incorporated
• Inventors: Lorenz, Frederick, Nielsen, John, Shumate, Dwayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,996,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.3
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A method and apparatus for translating diagnostic trouble codes which are generated in response to faults in the performance of motor vehicles are characterized by the use of a diagnostic code translator which receives diagnostic trouble codes and other information relating to the operating parameters of the vehicle at the time of a fault and analyzes the information to generate messages relating to the fault. The messages are transmitted to the vehicle driver so that corrective action may be taken.

Claims

1. A method for translating diagnostic trouble codes from motor vehicles, comprising the steps of

(a) detecting a diagnostic code corresponding to a fault in the operation of the motor vehicle;

(b) transmitting the detected code to a central server which identifies the vehicle and associates it with the detected code;

(c) translating the detected code to produce a message which indicates the severity of the fault and provides information to remedy the fault; and

(d) communicating the message to the operator of the vehicle.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said message includes at least one of an indication of the drivability of the vehicle, the level of urgency for seeking further diagnostics or repair, and basic descriptions of the code and vehicle condition.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein operating parameters of the vehicle at the time the diagnostic code is detected are transmitted with the code to the central server.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the operating parameters include at least one of vehicle speed, engine temperature, battery condition, and odometer mileage.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the message is communicated to the operator via one of e-mail, text messaging, and a telephone call.

6. A method as defined in claim 3, and further comprising the step of storing the fault and vehicle condition and repair information associated with the vehicle in a database.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, and further comprising the step of updating the stored fault and vehicle information every time a fault is detected.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, and further comprising the step of analyzing detected diagnostic codes and vehicle operating parameter information within the database to generate service intervals and predict repair costs by year, make, model, and engine type for a variety of motor vehicles.

9. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the operator of the vehicle can access the database to obtain the history of vehicle faults and conditions.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, and further comprising the step of requesting the dispatch of a repair technician to the vehicle in response to the code translation.

11. Apparatus for translating diagnostic trouble codes from motor vehicles, comprising

(a) a telematics device connected with a motor vehicle for detecting a diagnostic code in response to a fault in the performance of the vehicle and transmitting the diagnostic code and vehicle information;

(b) a data server for receiving said diagnostic code and vehicle information from said telematics device and generating a query containing said diagnostic code and vehicle information;

(c) a data code translator which receives said query and translates the diagnostic code to produce a message which indicates the severity of the fault and provides information to remedy the fault;

(d) a communication device for transmitting the message to the operator of the vehicle.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said telematics device transmits information which identifies the vehicle and information relating to operating parameters of the vehicle.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said operating parameters include at least one of vehicle speed, engine temperature, battery condition, and odometer mileage.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, where said communication device comprises a wireless device which is capable of transmitting e-mail, text message, and telephone calls to the driver.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, and further comprising a database connected with said server which stores fault and vehicle condition and repair information associated with the vehicle.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said data server receives diagnostic codes from a plurality of telematics devices, each connected with a different motor vehicle, and further wherein said database stores diagnostic code and vehicle operating parameter information for a plurality of vehicles and analyzes the stored diagnostic code and vehicle operating parameter information to generate service interval and predict repair costs by year, make, model and engine type for a variety of motor vehicles.