Apparatus and method for processing and/or for providing vehicle information and/or vehicle maintenance information

• US 20020016655A1
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Raymond Anthony Joao
• Original Assignee: Raymond Anthony Joao
• Inventors: Joao, Raymond Anthony
• Application Number:
  US09/919,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20020016655A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for processing vehicle information and/or vehicle maintenance information, including a memory device for storing at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information, a receiver for receiving information regarding at least one of a vehicle problem, a vehicle malfunction, and a vehicle state of disrepair, a processor for processing the information regarding at least one of a vehicle problem, a vehicle malfunction, and a vehicle state of disrepair, in conjunction with at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information, wherein the processor generates at least one of a diagnostic report, a repair report, a maintenance report, and a servicing report, and a transmitter for transmitting at least one of the at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information, to a communication device associated with an individual.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing vehicle information and/or vehicle maintenance information, comprising:

a memory device for storing at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information;

a receiver for receiving information regarding at least one of a vehicle problem, a vehicle malfunction, and a vehicle state of disrepair;

a processor for processing said information regarding at least one of a vehicle problem, a vehicle malfunction, and a vehicle state of disrepair, in conjunction with at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information, wherein said processor generates at least one of a diagnostic report, a repair report, a maintenance report, and a servicing report; and

a transmitter for transmitting at least one of said at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information, to a communication device associated with an individual.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor processes information regarding a subsequent repair, a maintenance procedure, and a servicing procedure, and further wherein said processor stores said information regarding a subsequent repair, a maintenance procedure, and a servicing procedure, in said memory device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory device contains information regarding at least one of a single vehicle and a plurality of vehicles.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is at least one of a personal computer, a home computer, a server computer, a network computer, a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a personal communication device, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a digital telephone, a display telephone, a video telephone, a videophone, a 3G telephone, a television, an interactive television, a beeper, a pager, and a watch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory device comprises a comprehensive vehicle maintenance database.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor generates at least one of a maintenance reminder message and a service reminder message.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one of a maintenance reminder message and a service reminder message is transmitted to the communication device associated with the individual.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor initiates a communication to at least one of a vehicle computer and a vehicle electronic command computer, and further wherein said apparatus uploads vehicle information from said at least one of a vehicle computer and a vehicle electronic command computer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is utilized in conjunction with at least one of a communication network, a wireless communication network, the Internet, and the World Wide Web.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor determines a feasibility of performing at least one of a repair, a maintenance procedure, and a servicing procedure, on the vehicle.

11. A method for processing vehicle information and/or vehicle maintenance information, comprising:

storing at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information;

receiving information regarding at least one of a vehicle problem, a vehicle malfunction, and a vehicle state of disrepair;

processing said information regarding said at least one of a vehicle problem, a vehicle malfunction, and a vehicle state of disrepair, in conjunction with at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information;

generating at least one of a diagnostic report, a repair report, a maintenance report, and a servicing report; and

transmitting at least one of said at least one of vehicle diagnostic information, vehicle repair information, vehicle maintenance information, and vehicle servicing information, to a communication device associated with an individual.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

processing information regarding a subsequent repair, a maintenance procedure, and a servicing procedure; and

storing said information regarding a subsequent repair, a maintenance procedure, and a servicing procedure.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication device is at least one of a personal computer, a home computer, a server computer, a network computer, a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a personal communication device, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a digital telephone, a display telephone, a video telephone, a videophone, a 3G telephone, a television, an interactive television, a beeper, a pager, and a watch.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating at least one of a maintenance reminder message and a service reminder message.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one of a maintenance reminder message and a service reminder message is transmitted to the communication device associated with the individual.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

initiating a communication to at least one of a vehicle computer and a vehicle electronic command computer; and

uploading vehicle information from said at least one of a vehicle computer and a vehicle electronic command computer.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said method is utilized in conjunction with at least one of a communication network, a wireless communication network, the Internet, and the World Wide Web.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said processor stores information regarding a transaction between the user and a provider.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said apparatus is at least one of a central processing computer, a server computer, and a network computer.

18. An apparatus for processing vehicle information and/or vehicle maintenance information, comprising:

a memory device for storing information regarding at least one of vehicle service providers, a provider of specialized services, vehicle parts providers, vehicle equipment providers, vehicle component providers, and vehicle accessory providers;

a receiver for receiving a request for at least one of a vehicle service provider, a provider of specialized services, a vehicle parts provider, a vehicle equipment providers, a vehicle component providers, and a vehicle accessory provider;

a processor for processing said request in conjunction with said information regarding at least one of vehicle service providers, a provider of specialized services, vehicle parts providers, vehicle equipment providers, vehicle component providers, and vehicle accessory providers, wherein said processor generates at least one of a user notification message to notify a user of information in response to said request and a provider notification message to notify a provider of said request; and

a transmitter for transmitting at least one of said user notification message to a communication device associated with a user and said provider notification message to a communication device associated with a provider.