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

• US 7,751,953 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Namaky, Hamid
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu; Yonel
• Application Number:
  US12/274,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20090076678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.7, 340/635, 340/636.1
• 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 vehicle battery, comprising:

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

an adaptor in circuit communication with the cellular phone, wherein the adaptor is configured to communicate with the vehicle battery; and

a cable connecting the adaptor to the vehicle battery, wherein the adaptor communicates a result of the battery test to the processor to display on the cellular phone.

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

a test circuit that tests the vehicle battery;

a second processor that conducts the tests and processes a test data, wherein the second processor communicates with the test circuit;

a memory in communication with the second processor; and

an interface circuit that communicates with a cellular phone interface.

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

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone includes an executable code that can diagnose the vehicle battery, process raw data from the adaptor and display the test results on the display.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the adaptor includes an executable code that can diagnose the vehicle battery, process raw data from the battery and display the test results on the display.

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

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

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the adaptor is a cradle configured to receive the cellular phone.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the adaptor is configured to act as a pass through of the raw test data.

10. A method of testing a battery 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 battery;

testing the battery with a test circuitry within the adaptor; and

displaying the test results on the cellular phone display.

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

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising processing a raw data from the test results with the first processor in the cellular phone.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising transmitting the test results to a remote computing device with the cellular phone.

14. A device for testing a vehicle battery, comprising:

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

an adaptor in circuit communication with the processor wherein the adaptor is configured to communicate with the vehicle battery and test the vehicle battery; and

a connector connecting the adaptor means to the vehicle battery, wherein the adaptor communicates a result of the battery test to the display.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the means for adapting further comprises:

a test circuit that tests the vehicle battery;

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 a cellular phone interface.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the means for connecting includes Kelvin connectors for connecting to the battery.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the processor includes an executable code that can diagnose the vehicle battery, process raw data from the adaptor and display the test results on the display.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the adaptor includes an executable code that can diagnose the vehicle battery, process raw data from the battery and display the test results on the display.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the test results is also forwarded to a remote computing device via the processor.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein the processor processes the raw data from the adaptor.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein the adaptor is a cradle configured to receive the device.

23. The device of claim 14, wherein the adaptor is configured to act as a pass through of the raw test data.