Vehicle service procedures
First Claim
1. A method for evaluating the condition of a vehicle prior to conducting a primary vehicle service procedure in a vehicle service bay, comprising:
- receiving the vehicle in the vehicle service bay in operative proximity to a multi-function vehicle service system for conducting said primary vehicle service procedure;
identifying said vehicle to said multi-function vehicle service system;
communicating data associated with said identified vehicle from said multi-function vehicle service system to a battery testing device;
prior to beginning said primary vehicle service procedure, acquiring a plurality of vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements associated with the vehicle, and at least one battery function measurement related to a battery installed within the vehicle;
communicating said acquired measurements to said multi-function vehicle service system;
evaluating said acquired vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements and said at least one battery function measurement at said multi-function vehicle service system to generate a vehicle condition report associated with said identified vehicle, said vehicle condition report including a battery condition indication and an identification of at least one wheel alignment corrective action appropriate for said vehicle in addition to said primary vehicle service procedure, wherein said battery condition indication is associated with said at least one battery function measurement, and wherein said at least one wheel alignment corrective action identified in response to at least one of said acquired vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements determined to be outside of an acceptable tolerance by said multi-function vehicle service system; and
communicating said vehicle condition report to a vehicle owner prior to initiating said primary vehicle service procedure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for carrying out a set of vehicle inspections including, but not limited to, wheel alignment measurement, brake testing, tire tread depth measurement, tire pressure monitoring, vehicle battery testing, and a review of vehicle diagnostic trouble codes in an efficient manner using a multi-function vehicle service system and a single vehicle service bay or inspection lane. Results of the vehicle inspections are incorporated into customized reports generated for a customer or for a technician, and which may be utilized to obtain approval from the customer to conduct necessary repairs and/or provide beneficial vehicle services.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating the condition of a vehicle prior to conducting a primary vehicle service procedure in a vehicle service bay, comprising:
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receiving the vehicle in the vehicle service bay in operative proximity to a multi-function vehicle service system for conducting said primary vehicle service procedure; identifying said vehicle to said multi-function vehicle service system; communicating data associated with said identified vehicle from said multi-function vehicle service system to a battery testing device; prior to beginning said primary vehicle service procedure, acquiring a plurality of vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements associated with the vehicle, and at least one battery function measurement related to a battery installed within the vehicle; communicating said acquired measurements to said multi-function vehicle service system; evaluating said acquired vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements and said at least one battery function measurement at said multi-function vehicle service system to generate a vehicle condition report associated with said identified vehicle, said vehicle condition report including a battery condition indication and an identification of at least one wheel alignment corrective action appropriate for said vehicle in addition to said primary vehicle service procedure, wherein said battery condition indication is associated with said at least one battery function measurement, and wherein said at least one wheel alignment corrective action identified in response to at least one of said acquired vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements determined to be outside of an acceptable tolerance by said multi-function vehicle service system; and communicating said vehicle condition report to a vehicle owner prior to initiating said primary vehicle service procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification