Cellular phone configured with off-board device capabilities and starter/charger and battery testing capabilities

• US 7,463,959 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Namaky, Hamid
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu; Yonel
• Application Number:
  US11/785,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20070198148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 455/567, 455/573, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.7, 340/635, 340/636.1, 324114-117
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device.

Claims

1. A device for testing a starter/charger system, comprising:

a cellular phone having a first processor and display, wherein the processor is in circuit communication with the display;

an adaptor in circuit communication with the cellular phone, wherein the adaptor is configured to connect to the starter/charger system and test the starter/charger system; and

a cable connecting the adaptor to the starter/charger system, wherein the adaptor communicates a result of the starter/charger system test to the display on the cellular phone.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the starter/charger system includes a battery, an alternator and a starter motor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the adaptor further comprises:

a test circuit that tests the starter/charger system;

a second processor that conducts the tests and processes a test data;

a memory in communication with the second processor; and

an interface circuit that communicates with the cellular phone interface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cable includes Kelvin connectors for connecting to a battery.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone includes an executable code that can diagnose the starter/charger system, can process raw data from the adaptor and can display the test results on the display.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the adaptor includes an executable code that can diagnose the starter/charger system, can process raw data from the adaptor and can display the test results on the display.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the test results is also forward to a remote computing device via the cellular phone.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone processes the raw data from the adaptor.

9. A method of testing a starter/charger system of a vehicle, comprising:

connecting a cellular phone to an adaptor, wherein the cellular phone includes a display in circuit communication with a first processor;

connecting a cable from the adaptor to the starter/charger system;

testing the starter/charger system with a test circuitry within the adaptor; and

displaying the test results on the cellular phone display.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising processing a raw data from the test results with a second processor in the adaptor.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising processing a raw data from the test results with the first processor in the cellular phone.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting the test results to a remote computing device with the cellular phone.

13. A system to test a starter/charger system, comprising:

means for communicating having a first processor and display, wherein the processor is in circuit communication with the display;

means for adapting in circuit communication with the means for communicating, wherein the means for adapting is configured to connect to the starter/charger system and test the starter/charger system; and

a means for connecting the means for adapting to the starter/charger system, wherein the means for adapting communicates a result of the starter/charger system test to the display on the means for communicating.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for communicating is a cellular phone.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the starter/charger system includes a battery, an alternator and a starter motor.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for adapting comprises:

a test circuit that tests the starter/charger system;

a second processor that conducts the tests and processes a test data;

a memory in communication with the second processor; and

an interface circuit that communicates with the means for communicating interface.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for connecting is a Kelvin connector for connecting to a battery.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for communicating includes an executable code that can diagnose the starter/charger system, can process raw data from the means for adapting and can display the test results on the display.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for adapting includes an executable code that can diagnose the starter/charger system, can process raw data from the adaptor and can display the test results on the display.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the test results is also forwarded to a remote computing device via the means for communicating.