DIAGNOSTIC UNIT AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method to operate a diagnostic unit installed onboard a medium or heavy duty vehicle, comprising:
- powering the diagnostic unit with onboard vehicle electric power;
receiving parameters that control the receipt of vehicle data;
receiving the vehicle data from at least one of a brake control unit, an engine control unit, and a transmission control unit based on the received parameters;
generating a diagnostic log file from at least some of the vehicle data;
communicating the diagnostic log file to a remote computing device arranged to host a reverse auction that identifies at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service based on the communicated vehicle data;
receiving service information identifying the at least one vendor capable of providing the vehicle service; and
presenting service information representing the at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service through an output device of the diagnostic unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic unit is coupled to at least one vehicle control subsystem. The vehicle control subsystem includes one or more of a brake control unit, an engine control unit, and a transmission control unit to provide vehicle data. The diagnostic unit generates diagnostic log information based on the vehicle data and communicates the diagnostic log information to a remote computing device, which hosts a reverse auction to identify at least one vendor that can provide vehicle service based on the diagnostic log information. After identifying the vendor, the diagnostic unit generates and presents service information representing the identified vendor to a vehicle operator via an input/output interface in the vehicle. The input/output interface can accept vehicle data, configuration data, and diagnostic data from the vehicle and the vehicle operator.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method to operate a diagnostic unit installed onboard a medium or heavy duty vehicle, comprising:
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powering the diagnostic unit with onboard vehicle electric power; receiving parameters that control the receipt of vehicle data; receiving the vehicle data from at least one of a brake control unit, an engine control unit, and a transmission control unit based on the received parameters; generating a diagnostic log file from at least some of the vehicle data; communicating the diagnostic log file to a remote computing device arranged to host a reverse auction that identifies at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service based on the communicated vehicle data; receiving service information identifying the at least one vendor capable of providing the vehicle service; and presenting service information representing the at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service through an output device of the diagnostic unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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6. A vehicle system, comprising:
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an input/output interface, the input/output interface configured to accept vehicle data, configuration data, and diagnostic data, and the input/output interface further configured to provide service information; a vehicle control subsystem including at least one of a brake control unit, an engine control unit, and a transmission control unit, the vehicle control subsystem configured to provide at least some of the vehicle data; and a diagnostic unit coupled to the at least one vehicle control subsystem, the diagnostic unit configured to generate diagnostic log information based on the vehicle data, the diagnostic unit configured to communicate the diagnostic log information to a computing device arranged to host a reverse auction that identifies at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service based on the diagnostic log information, the diagnostic unit configured to generate the service information presented to a vehicle operator via the input/output interface, the service information representing the at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system to automatically receive inspection data indicating a vehicle servicing requirement and to automatically provide an operator of the vehicle with pricing data for one or more vendors willing to address the servicing requirement, comprising:
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(a) a handheld electronic device that permits entry by the user of inspection data while a user is viewing the vehicle; (b) an assembly at a remote location relative to the vehicle, the assembly having a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored, a data link to automatically receive the inspection data, and a processor coupled to the memory and to the data link to execute the machine instructions, the machine instructions arranged to carry out a plurality of functions, including; (i) receiving the inspection data indicating a vehicle service requirement; (ii) conveying data defining the vehicle servicing requirement to a plurality of vehicle repair vendors to enable each vehicle repair vendor interested in repairing the vehicle to provide a price quote for the respective vehicle repair vendor to repair the vehicle; and (iii) conveying to the operator of the vehicle information about the servicing requirement and information about the respective price quote from each vehicle repair vendor interested in repairing the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A diagnostic unit arranged for installation onboard a medium or heavy duty vehicle, comprising:
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a power interface coupleable to an onboard vehicle electrical power system; a diagnostic interface coupleable to an in vehicle diagnostic data communication network, the diagnostic interface configured to receive vehicle data from at least one of a brake control unit, an engine control unit, and a transmission control unit; a processor configured to generate a diagnostic log file from at least some of the vehicle data; a remote computing device interface, the remote computing device interface configured to receive parameters that control the receipt of the vehicle data, the remote computing device interface configured to communicate the diagnostic log file to a remote computing device arranged to host a reverse auction that identifies at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service based on the communicated vehicle data; and an output interface to present service information presented to a vehicle operator, the service information representing the at least one vendor capable of providing vehicle service. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification