OBD II readiness monitor tool apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for determining a vehicle'"'"'s readiness status for emissions testing, comprising:
- a processor that can be operably coupled to a vehicle diagnostic connector to determine a status of at least one readiness monitor;
at least one vehicle communication protocol interface operatively coupled to the processor and allows the processor to communicate with the vehicle;
a voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage of a power source in the vehicle wherein the voltage detection circuit is low powered and detects whether the power source'"'"'s voltage is at, above or below a threshold voltage;
a housing surrounding the processor, the at least one vehicle communication protocol interface, and the voltage detection circuit; and
an indicator disposed on the housing for indicating the readiness of the vehicle for emission testing.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An OBDII device and method and system which includes an inexpensive, user friendly way to determine a vehicle'"'"'s readiness status for emissions testing. An audible or visual indication that may or may not be wirelessly connected to the tool is provided to alert the repair shop technician or driver that the vehicle has completed its drive cycle and may now be tested for compliance with state and federal emissions laws. The device also includes the ability to prevent the tool from discharging a power source of the vehicle when the device is coupled to the vehicle.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for determining a vehicle'"'"'s readiness status for emissions testing, comprising:
-
a processor that can be operably coupled to a vehicle diagnostic connector to determine a status of at least one readiness monitor; at least one vehicle communication protocol interface operatively coupled to the processor and allows the processor to communicate with the vehicle; a voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage of a power source in the vehicle wherein the voltage detection circuit is low powered and detects whether the power source'"'"'s voltage is at, above or below a threshold voltage; a housing surrounding the processor, the at least one vehicle communication protocol interface, and the voltage detection circuit; and an indicator disposed on the housing for indicating the readiness of the vehicle for emission testing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of preventing a diagnostic tool from discharging a battery of a vehicle, comprising:
-
coupling the diagnostic tool that determines a vehicle'"'"'s readiness status for emissions testing to a data link connector of the vehicle; determining a voltage of the vehicle'"'"'s battery with a voltage detection circuit of the diagnostic tool wherein the voltage detection circuit is low powered and detects whether the battery'"'"'s voltage is at, above or below a threshold voltage; comparing the voltage of the vehicle'"'"'s battery against a threshold voltage with the voltage detection circuit of the diagnostic tool; and providing power to a processor of the diagnostic tool when the voltage of the vehicle'"'"'s battery is above the threshold voltage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A device for determining a vehicle'"'"'s readiness status for emissions testing, comprising:
-
a means for processing that can be operably coupled to a vehicle diagnostic connector to determine a status of at least one readiness monitor; means for communicating at least one vehicle communication protocol operatively coupled to the means for processing and allows the means for processing to communicate with the vehicle; a means for detecting to detect a voltage of a power source in the vehicle wherein the means for detecting is low powered and detects whether the power source'"'"'s voltage is at, above or below a threshold voltage; a means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for communicating, and the means for detecting; and a means for indicating disposed on the housing, for indicating the readiness of the vehicle for emission testing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
- 15. The device of 14 further comprising a means for charging and means for drawing power, wherein the means for charging and means for drawing power draw power via a pin on the vehicle diagnostic connector.
Specification