Apparatus, program product and method of processing diagnostic data transferred from a host computer to a portable computer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for processing diagnostic data transferred from a host computer to a portable computer, the apparatus comprising:
- a processor in the portable computer;
memory connected to the processor;
a diagnostic program for providing at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert to a user, the program being stored in the memory for execution on the processor, the program containing a threshold variable and a diagnostic variable, the diagnostic variable being based on the diagnostic data transferred to the portable computer from the host computer, the program providing the alert based on a comparison in the portable computer of the threshold variable and the diagnostic variable.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic mechanism for processing diagnostic data transferred from a host computer (e.g., a motor vehicle computer) to a portable computer (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, etc.) An alert is provided based on a comparison in the portable computer of a threshold variable (e.g., generated from a desired threshold value input into the portable computer by the user) and a diagnostic variable (e.g., fuel remaining, service interval, etc.) generated from the diagnostic data. Preferably, the alert includes a calendar entry displayed on a PDA. The alert may further include an alarm at a time-of-day preceding an alarm clock setting of the PDA. Consequently, the user does not have to rely on his/her memory to arise earlier in the morning to fill up with gasoline, for example. Preferably, the PDA receives the diagnostic data in response to being placed in a cradle mounted in a vehicle passenger compartment.
241 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for processing diagnostic data transferred from a host computer to a portable computer, the apparatus comprising:
-
a processor in the portable computer;
memory connected to the processor;
a diagnostic program for providing at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert to a user, the program being stored in the memory for execution on the processor, the program containing a threshold variable and a diagnostic variable, the diagnostic variable being based on the diagnostic data transferred to the portable computer from the host computer, the program providing the alert based on a comparison in the portable computer of the threshold variable and the diagnostic variable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A computer-implemented method, the computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:
-
transferring diagnostic data from a host computer to a portable computer;
generating a diagnostic variable in the portable computer based on the diagnostic data;
comparing the diagnostic variable with a threshold variable in the portable computer;
providing at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert to a user of the portable computer based on the comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
inputting a desired threshold value into the portable computer through a user input device on a surface of the portable computer;
generating the threshold variable in the portable computer based on the desired threshold value.
-
-
15. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 13, wherein the providing step comprises a step of adding a new calendar entry in a viewable calendar displayed on the portable computer.
-
16. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 15, wherein the providing step further comprises a step of providing a visual and/or audio alarm at a preceding time-of-day before a predetermined time-of-day, the preceding time-of-day being before the predetermined time-of-day by an amount of time equal to the duration of the new calendar entry in the viewable calendar, the predetermined time-of-day being set by the user using an alarm clock program.
-
17. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 13, wherein the transferring step comprises the steps of:
-
placing the portable computer in a cradle associated with the host computer;
transferring the diagnostic data from the host computer to the portable computer in response to the placing step.
-
-
18. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17, wherein the portable computer is a personal digital assistant and the cradle is mounted in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
-
19. A program product for processing diagnostic data transferred from a host computer to a portable computer, the program product comprising:
-
a signal bearing media; and
a diagnostic program recorded on the signal bearing media, the program being capable of executing on a processor and containing a threshold variable and a diagnostic variable, the diagnostic variable being based on the diagnostic data transferred to the portable computer from the host computer, the program providing at least one of a visual alert and an audio alert to a user based on a comparison in the portable computer of the threshold variable and the diagnostic variable. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification