Fraud detection in an OBD inspection system

• US 8,666,588 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2012
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PDQ Enterprises LLC (Apex Fintech Solutions LLC), Opus Inspection, Inc. (Opus Group AB)
• Original Assignee: Systech International LLC (Opus Group AB)
• Inventors: Geilen, Lothar, Kohn, Bruce R., Tierney, Eugene J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sweeney, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US13/482,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20130024066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29.6, 701/29.7, 701/29.1, 701/30.3, 702/183, 702/185
• US Class Current: 701/29.6
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/11 After-sales modification devices designed to be used to modify an engine afterwards
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1495 Detection of abnormalities in the air/fuel ratio feedback system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction

Abstract

A vehicle testing system and method includes a vehicle testing system that is operatively connected with a vehicle computer whereby the system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer. The system includes a tamper testing sequence for detecting vehicle tampering comprising applying a test action to the vehicle intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to the test action, monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with the test action, and determining whether the signal meets an expected response. A determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with the test action does not meet the expected response indicates that tampering has occurred.

Claims

1. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emissions testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including a tamper testing sequence, wherein said vehicle testing method comprises performing said tamper testing sequence comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action, and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets an expected response corresponding to a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action does not meet said expected response indicates that tampering has occurred;

wherein said applying a test action to the vehicle comprises resetting vehicle on-board diagnostic monitors of the vehicle computer,

wherein said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprises monitoring a non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer, and

wherein said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets said expected response comprises evaluating whether the non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer obtains a set condition prior to meeting said expected response.

2. The vehicle testing method of claim 1, wherein said evaluating whether a non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer obtains a set condition prior to meeting the expected response is based on time.

3. The vehicle testing method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining of a set condition by the non-continuous monitor prior to a predetermined time limit indicates that tampering has occurred.

4. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emissions testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including a tamper testing sequence, wherein said vehicle testing method comprises performing said tamper testing sequence comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action, and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets an expected response corresponding to a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action does not meet said expected response indicates that tampering has occurred;

wherein said applying a test action to the vehicle comprises altering an operational parameter of the vehicle that is intended to cause a change in the level of oxygen in the exhaust stream of the vehicle responsive to said test action,

wherein said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprises monitoring a signal associated with an exhaust gas oxygen sensor positioned downstream of a catalytic converter on the vehicle, and

wherein said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets said expected response comprises evaluating whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with the downstream oxygen sensor changes in response to said test action.

5. The vehicle testing method of claim 4, wherein the absence of change in the signal of the vehicle computer associated with the downstream oxygen sensor in response to said test action indicates that tampering has occurred.

6. The vehicle testing method of claim 4 wherein said test action comprises altering the engine speed of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle testing method of claim 4 wherein said test action comprises temporarily turning off the engine of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle testing method of claim 4 wherein said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprises monitoring a voltage signal.

9. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emissions testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including more than one tamper testing sequence, and wherein said vehicle testing method comprises performing at least two tamper testing sequences each comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action, and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets an expected response corresponding to a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action does not meet said expected response indicates that tampering has occurred.

10. The vehicle testing method of claim 9, wherein said applying a test action to the vehicle for one of said tamper testing sequences being performed comprises resetting vehicle on-board diagnostic monitors of the vehicle computer, with said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprising monitoring a non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer and said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets said expected response comprising evaluating whether the non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer obtains a set condition prior to meeting said expected response.

11. The vehicle testing method of claim 9, wherein said applying a test action to the vehicle for one of said tamper testing sequences being performed comprises altering an operational parameter of the vehicle that is intended to cause a change in the level of oxygen in the exhaust stream of the vehicle, with said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprising monitoring a signal associated with an exhaust gas oxygen sensor positioned downstream of a catalytic converter on the vehicle and said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets said expected response comprising evaluating whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with the downstream oxygen sensor changes in response to said test action.

12. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emissions testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including a tamper testing sequence, wherein said vehicle testing method comprises performing said tamper testing sequence comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action, and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets an expected response corresponding to a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action does not meet said expected response indicates that tampering has occurred;

said vehicle testing method further including performing a standard test sequence prior to said performing a tamper test sequence, said standard test sequence comprising evaluating on-board system monitors for out-of-specification conditions.

13. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emissions testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including a tamper testing sequence, wherein said vehicle testing method comprises performing said tamper testing sequence comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action, and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets an expected response corresponding to a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action does not meet said expected response indicates that tampering has occurred;

said vehicle testing method further including performing a profile test sequence, wherein said performing a profile test sequence comprises evaluating whether the vehicle being tested matches predetermined criteria, and wherein said performing a tamper test sequence is performed after said profile test sequence if the vehicle being tested matches the predetermined criteria.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the predetermined criteria of the profile test comprises at least one of a vehicle make, model or manufacturing year.

15. A vehicle testing system for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emission testing, said system comprising:

a testing device that is operatively connectable to a vehicle computer of a vehicle for receiving data from the vehicle computer;

said testing system programmed to include a tamper testing sequence, said tamper testing sequence operable to monitor a signal of the vehicle computer when the vehicle is subject to a test action during testing of the vehicle;

said vehicle testing system further operable to evaluate the signal of the vehicle computer to determine whether the signal responds to the test action consistent with a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer does not respond consistent with a non-tampered vehicle results in an assessment that tampering has occurred;

wherein the tamper testing sequence is operable to transmit a monitor reset command from said testing device to the vehicle computer of a vehicle being tested with said monitor reset command comprising said test action, and wherein said testing device monitors a signal associated with a non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer.

16. A vehicle testing system for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emission testing, said system comprising:

a testing device that is operatively connectable to a vehicle computer of a vehicle for receiving data from the vehicle computer;

said testing system programmed to include a tamper testing sequence, said tamper testing sequence operable to monitor a signal of the vehicle computer when the vehicle is subject to a test action during testing of the vehicle;

said vehicle testing system further operable to evaluate the signal of the vehicle computer to determine whether the signal responds to the test action consistent with a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer does not respond consistent with a non-tampered vehicle results in an assessment that tampering has occurred;

wherein said testing device monitors a signal of the vehicle computer associated with an exhaust gas oxygen sensor positioned downstream of a catalytic converter on the vehicle.

17. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emission testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including first and second tamper testing sequences each comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action; and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets an expected response corresponding to a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action does not meet said expected response indicates that tampering has occurred,

wherein said applying a test action to the vehicle for said first tamper testing sequence comprises resetting vehicle on-board diagnostic monitors of the vehicle computer, with said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprising monitoring a non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer and said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets said expected response comprising evaluating whether the non-continuous monitor of the vehicle computer obtains a set condition prior to meeting said expected response, and

wherein said applying a test action to the vehicle for said second tamper testing sequence comprises altering an operational parameter of the vehicle that is intended to cause a change in the level of oxygen in the exhaust stream of the vehicle, with said monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action comprising monitoring a signal associated with an exhaust gas oxygen sensor positioned downstream of a catalytic converter on the vehicle and said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action meets said expected response comprising evaluating whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with the downstream oxygen sensor changes in response to said test action.

18. A vehicle testing method for detecting vehicle tampering to circumvent emission testing, said method comprising:

operatively connecting a vehicle testing system with a vehicle computer whereby said vehicle testing system is able to evaluate signals within the vehicle computer, said vehicle testing system including a tamper testing sequence, wherein said vehicle testing method comprises performing said tamper testing sequence comprising;

applying a test action to the vehicle, said test action intended to generate a signal in the vehicle computer responsive to said test action;

monitoring the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action; and

determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action responds to said test action consistent with a non-tampered vehicle;

wherein a determination that the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action responds inconsistently to a non-tampered vehicle indicates that tampering has occurred; and

wherein said determining whether the signal of the vehicle computer associated with said test action is consistent with a non-tampered vehicle comprises comparing the signal of the vehicle computer to an expected response.

19. The vehicle testing method of claim 18, wherein said expected response comprises a predetermined predicted response.