System and method for distributed computer automotive service equipment
First Claim
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1. An automotive service equipment system for use in conducting a diagnostic analysis of vehicle components, comprising:
- at least one measurement device;
a data input controller having access to a first software;
at least one networked controller coupled to the data input controller over a data transmission network; and
an output device coupled to the data input controller;
wherein the measurement device is operatively coupled to the data input controller and configured to provide signals to the data input controller representative of a vehicle diagnostic state;
wherein the at least one networked controller has a memory for storing a software object representative of a second software necessary for conducting the diagnostic analysis of vehicle components;
the second software comprising a vehicle diagnostic specification;
wherein the data input controller is configured for;
executing the first software;
accessing, in response to a request generated by executing the first software, over the data transmission network the software object; and
converting the signals representative of a vehicle diagnostic state, based on the vehicle diagnostic specification, to an output signal at the output device indicative of the vehicle diagnostic state.
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Abstract
A computerized automotive service equipment system is adapted to access remotely located computer systems to retrieve or exchange data and/or software applications, or to undergo live or real-time and two-way interaction. The system and its components are dynamic with respect to both function and data, and can be easily updated or otherwise altered. The system of the present invention utilizes World Wide Web technology, which enables the use of universal and widely compatible programming tools and techniques for efficient and fast system development.
126 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An automotive service equipment system for use in conducting a diagnostic analysis of vehicle components, comprising:
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at least one measurement device;
a data input controller having access to a first software;
at least one networked controller coupled to the data input controller over a data transmission network; and
an output device coupled to the data input controller;
wherein the measurement device is operatively coupled to the data input controller and configured to provide signals to the data input controller representative of a vehicle diagnostic state;
wherein the at least one networked controller has a memory for storing a software object representative of a second software necessary for conducting the diagnostic analysis of vehicle components;
the second software comprising a vehicle diagnostic specification;
wherein the data input controller is configured for;
executing the first software;
accessing, in response to a request generated by executing the first software, over the data transmission network the software object; and
converting the signals representative of a vehicle diagnostic state, based on the vehicle diagnostic specification, to an output signal at the output device indicative of the vehicle diagnostic state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computerized wheel alignment system comprising a plurality of alignment angle sensors adapted to be mounted on vehicle wheels to sense wheel alignment angles, a computer coupled to the plurality of sensors and adapted to receive therefrom signals indicative of wheel alignment angles, a display coupled to the computer and adapted to display the respective wheel alignment angles, the improvement comprising:
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a connection to a data network;
the computer having access to a first software and coupled to the connection to the data network for receiving information from at least one networked controller;
wherein the computer is configured for;
executing the first software;
accessing, in response to a request generated by executing the first software, over the data network a software object representative of a second software necessary for conducting a wheel alignment procedure;
the second software comprising a wheel alignment specification stored in the at least one networked controller; and
converting the signals indicative of wheel alignment angles, based on the wheel alignment specification, to an output signal at the display indicative of the wheel alignment state. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. An automotive service equipment system for use in conducting a diagnostic analysis of vehicle components, comprising:
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at least one measurement device;
a data input controller having access to a first software;
at least one networked controller coupled to the data input controller over a data transmission network; and
an output device coupled to the data input controller;
wherein the measurement device is operatively coupled to the data input controller and configured to provide signals to the data input controller representative of a vehicle diagnostic state;
wherein the at least one networked controller has a memory for storing a software object representative of a second software necessary for conducting the diagnostic analysis of vehicle components;
wherein the data input controller is configured for;
executing the first software;
accessing, in response to a request generated by executing the first software, over the data transmission network the software object; and
converting the signals representative of a vehicle diagnostic state, based on information contained in the software object, to an output signal at the output device indicative of the vehicle diagnostic state. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification