Network car analyzer

• US 6,920,381 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Issued: 07/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: Doherty, James M., Adams, Thomas Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/249,820
• Publication Number:
  US 20040225422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 701/24, 701/25, 701/29, 701/33, 701/30, 701/34, 701/35, 731/16, 731/172, 705/1, 705/16
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

An automobile'"'"'s maintenance port is wirelessly connected (for example, via an IEEE 802.11-based connection) to a plurality of gateways/routers that forward automobile diagnostic data (such as a series of diagnostic codes) to a network analyzer server. The network analyzer server offers subscribers a service providing analysis of the received diagnostic data, wherein such analyzed information is transmitted to one or more predetermined locations (such as to a personal computer of the subscriber or a mechanic'"'"'s diagnostic device at a service station). Thus, homeowners and garages receive the same data and the system eliminates the need for garages to purchase expensive engine analyzers.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving and forwarding automobile diagnostic data via a plurality of gateways dispersed at predetermined physical locations, said method comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a wireless communication link with at least one automobile diagnostic port;

b. wirelessly receiving automobile diagnostic data from said automobile diagnostic port, said automobile diagnostic data comprising a set of automobile diagnostic codes in conformity with a diagnostic standard; and

c. forwarding said wirelessly received automobile diagnostic data to a server over a network, said server analyzing said forwarded automobile diagnostic data and providing feedback regarding conditions that require immediate attention.

2. A method as per claim 1, wherein said diagnostic standard is the open basic diagnostic 2 (OBD2) standard.

3. A method as per claim 1, wherein said feedback is forwarded to any of the following preset locations:

a personal computer associated with a user of said automobile or a computing device associated with a service station.

4. A method as per claim 1, wherein said wireless communications are via an IEEE 802.1 1b protocol.

5. A method as per claim 1, wherein said network is any of the following:

local area network, wide area network, or the Internet.

6. A method for analyzing automobile diagnostic data, said method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, over a network, automobile diagnostic data from a gateway located at a predefined location, said gateway wirelessly receiving said vehicle diagnostic data from an automobile;

b. analyzing said received automobile diagnostic data and identifying indications of malfunction; and

c. forwarding said identified indications of malfunction to one or more subscriber-defined locations, wherein said identified indications of malfunction are utilized at said one or more subscriber-defined locations in the diagnosis of automobile related mal-functions.

7. A method as per claim 6, wherein said automobile diagnostic data comprises a series of diagnostic codes in conformity with a diagnostic standard.

8. A method as per claim 7, wherein said diagnostic standard is the open basic diagnostic 2 (OBD2) standard.

9. A method as per claim 6, wherein said wireless communications are via an IEEE 802.11b protocol.

10. A method as per claim 6, wherein said network is any of the following:

local area network, wide area network, or the Internet.

11. A system offering one or more subscribers network based automobile diagnostic services, said system comprising:

a. a plurality of gateways dispersed at predetermined physical locations, each of said gateways capable of establishing a wireless communication link with at least one automobile diagnostic port for wirelessly receiving and forwarding automobile diagnostic data, said automobile diagnostic data comprising a set of automobile diagnostic codes in conformity with a diagnostic standard; and

b. a network analyzer server capable of receiving said forwarded automobile diagnostic data, said server analyzing said forwarded automobile diagnostic data and providing feedback regarding conditions that require immediate attention.

12. A system as per claim 11, wherein said diagnostic standard is the open basic diagnostic 2 (OBD2) standard.

13. A system as per claim 11, wherein said wireless communications are via an IEEE 802.11b protocol.

14. A system as per claim 11, wherein said network is any of the following:

local area network, wide area network, or the Internet.

15. A business method for generating revenue by offering a subscription-based diagnostic service analyzing automobile diagnostic data over a network, said automobile diagnostic data received over a plurality of gateways located at pre-defined locations, said method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, over said network, automobile diagnostic data from one gateway in said plurality of gateways, said gateway wirelessly receiving said automobile diagnostic data from a subscriber'"'"'s automobile;

b. analyzing said received automobile diagnostic data and identifying indications of malfunction in said subscriber'"'"'s automobile;

c. forwarding said identified indications of malfunction to one or more subscriber-defined locations, wherein said identified indications of malfunction are utilized at said one or more subscriber-defined locations in the diagnosis of automobile related mal-functions; and

d. charging said subscriber a fee for said diagnostic service.

16. A business method as per claim 15, wherein said received automobile diagnostic data is based upon the open basic diagnostic 2 (OBD2) standard.

17. A business method as per claim 15, wherein said wireless communications between said gateways and automobiles are via an IEEE 802.11b protocol.

18. A business method as per claim 15, wherein said network is any of the following:

local area network, wide area network, or the Internet.