Automated vehicle inspection system

• US 6,650,977 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OCC Technologies LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Miller, Steven P.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THU V
• Application Number:
  US09/920,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29-35, 701/39, 701/43-44, 701/62-63, 701/70, 701/76, 701/92, 701/97, 340/425.5, 340/439
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0234 related to maintenance or repairing of vehicles

Abstract

The invention integrates a general purpose computer with a controller area network to effect an inspection regimen through the controller area network. A convenient user interface, combining handheld instruments and convention displays and printers allows the driver to interact with the system. The computer provides storage for programs and processing power to implement test regimens in logical order relating to completion of the inspection.

Claims

1. Apparatus for implementing an inspection system on a vehicle, comprising:

a controller area network installed on the vehicle;

a general purpose computer installed on the vehicle coupled for communication with the controller area network;

a plurality of sensors installed on the vehicle transmitting data over the controller area network;

means for routing the transmitted data to the general purpose computer;

programs executable on the general purpose computer far implementing an inspection protocol including the collection of data from the sensors and directing activities of a driver moving through and around the vehicle;

the inspection protocol providing preset triggering conditions particular to the vehicle for an operator to select initiating inspection of the vehicle, the operator can select one or more of the following triggering conditions;

(1) request by the driver;

(2) movement of an ignition key from an off to an on position;

(3) movement of the ignition key from an off to an on position after a minimum time interval from a previous occurrence of movement of the ignition key from the off to the on position;

(4) movement of the ignition key from off to on when an engine coolant temperature reading is below a minimum;

(5) occasion of a change of driver of the vehicle;

(6) a specific time day; and

(7) a minimum time interval since the previous inspection; and

a user interface for displaying results and instructions to the driver.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,the means for routing the transmitted data further comprising an electrical system controller.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

at least a first sensor connected to the electrical system controller;

a plurality autonomous controllers connected to the controller area network; and

a plurality of additional sensors, each connected to one of the plurality of autonomous controllers.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, the inspection protocol further comprising a pre engine start segment and a post engine start segment.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inspection protocol includes means for verifying that an indication has been entered by a user that a prior inspection was performed.

6. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle controller area network;

a plurality of autonomous local controllers relating to major vehicle systems connected to the vehicle controller area network;

an electrical system controller connected to the vehicle controller area network for managing the plurality of autonomous local controllers;

at least one sensor interface module connected to the vehicle controller area network;

a plurality of sensors, each connected to one of the plurality of autonomous local controllers, the electrical system controller, or the vehicle controller area network; and

a computer coupled for communication with the electrical system controller for implementing inspection of vehicle operating conditions measured by the plurality of sensors through a program in response to occurrence of one of a plurality of preselected vehicle events, the computer being a stored program general purpose computer and including stored programs specifying an inspection protocol and at least one subsidiary program for implementing analysis of a vehicle system, the stored programs including means for evaluating a plurality of operator pre-selected inspection triggering conditions, an operator can pre-select any one or more of the following inspection triggering conditions;

(1) request by the driver;

(2) movement of an ignition key from an off to an on position;

(3) movement of the ignition key from an off to an on position after a minimum time interval from a previous occurrence of movement of the ignition key from the off to the on position;

(4) movement of the ignition key from off to on when an engine coolant temperature reading is below a minimum;

(5) occasion of a change of driver of the vehicle;

(6) a specific time day; and

(7) a minimum time interval since the previous inspection.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a user interface.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the stored programs provide for a two segment inspection protocol including a pre engine start segment and a post engine start segment.