AUTOMOTIVE MOBILE DIAGNOSTICS

• US 20090299900A1
• Filed: 06/02/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Chen, Ieon C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,484 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

The invention generally relates to vehicle diagnostic systems and their methods of use, and more particularly, to a hand-held automotive diagnostic code-reader/scan tool with data link connector (DTC) which straps to the user'"'"'s arm and is comprised of a touch screen, a VIN bar code/number scanner, a credit card reader, a printer, and internet and cell phone connections to a variety of servers for credit card approval, billing and vehicle diagnostics. The credit card is scanned and billed followed by scanning the vehicle VIN number or bar code and sending the information to the vehicle OBD2 server who identifies the vehicle, orders the handheld tool to perform certain tests upon the vehicle and in turn performs a diagnosis. A live wireless cell phone connection may be made, if necessary, with a technician at the OBD2 server for tech support. Test results are returned to the hand tool which prints out the results, prints a credit card receipt and sends a record of the transaction to the operators server Corp. for record keeping.

Claims

1. An automotive mobile diagnostics for interfacing with a vehicle'"'"'s computer via a diagnostic cable to a vehicle data link connector and for interfacing with a remote server via a wireless or cellular communications means comprising:

a housing with a hollow interior and an exterior wherein the housing is sized to be handheld;

a LCD manual touch input screen on the housing exterior;

a connector on the exterior of the housing configured to connect to a data link connector (DLC) diagnostic cable which connects to the vehicle'"'"'s data link connector;

a processor in the housing interior containing a database and a diagnostic system programmed to function as an automotive code reader/scanner;

vehicle interface circuitry configured to communicate, via the diagnostic cable, with the vehicle'"'"'s computer;

a data trouble code (DTCs) reading programming within the processor which reads and retrieves diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the vehicle;

a VIN bar code and number scanner on the exterior of the housing linked to the processor in the interior of the housing wherein the vehicle may be identified;

a credit card reader on the exterior of the housing comprised of a slot on the external of the housing to swipe die credit card wherein credit card information required by the credit card company may be retrieved;

a wireless for accessing local PC internet connection in the internal of the housing linked to the internal processor;

a communication interface wireless for accessing remote server through internet connection in the internal of the housing linked to the internal processor;

a communication interface wireless for accessing remote server through cell phone connection in the internal of the housing linked to the internal processor; and

programming in the processor on a computer readable medium to connect via internet and wireless phone with the appropriate servers, computer or PDA and transmit and receive credit card information and automotive diagnostic information, such as identifying the vehicle with its VIN number and diagnosis of the vehicular problem, provides fixes solutions, parts and labor required and the total cost of repair to and from the appropriate server,

2. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein a data link connector cable is connected to the connector for the data link connector.

3. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein an internal printer with a roll of paper is linked to the internal processor wherein a credit card receipt, a diagnosis of the vehicular problem and a user statement is printed.

4. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein a holder is on the exterior of the housing for the data link connecter cable when it is not in use.

5. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein a securing means to attach the handheld automotive mobile diagnostics to the user, such as a Velcro™

strap for securing to the user'"'"'s arm.

6. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein the screen may be plasma.

7. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein there is an internal rechargeable battery with a female electrical on the external of the housing for connection with an external power source.

8. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 1 wherein there is an external speaker/microphone.

9. An automotive mobile diagnostics for interfacing with a vehicle'"'"'s computer via a diagnostic cable to a vehicle data link connector and for interfacing with a remote server via a wireless or cellular communications means comprising:

a housing with a hollow interior and an exterior wherein the housing is sized to be handheld;

a LCD manual touch input screen on the housing exterior;

a connector on the exterior of the housing configured to connect to a data link connector (DLC) diagnostic cable which connects to the vehicle'"'"'s data link connector;

a processor in the housing interior containing a database and a diagnostic system programmed to function as an automotive code reader/scanner;

vehicle interface circuitry configured to communicate, via the diagnostic cable, with the vehicle'"'"'s computer;

a data trouble code (DTCs) reading programming within the processor which reads and retrieves diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the vehicle;

a VIN bar code and number scanner on the exterior of the housing linked to the processor in the interior of the housing wherein the vehicle may be identified;

a credit card reader on the exterior of the housing comprised of a slot on the external of the housing to swipe the credit card wherein credit card information required by the credit car company may be retrieved;

a wireless for accessing local PC internet connection in the internal of the housing linked to the internal processor;

a communication interface wireless for accessing remote server through internet connection in the internal of the housing linked to the internal processor;

a communication interface wireless for accessing remote server through cell phone connection in the internal of the housing linked to the internal processor; and

programming in the processor on a computer readable medium to connect via internet and wireless phone with the appropriate servers, computer or PDA and transmit and receive credit card information and automotive diagnostic information, such as identifying the vehicle with its VIN number and diagnosis of the vehicular problem, to and from the appropriate server; and

provides fixes solutions, parts and labor required and the total cost of repair to and from the appropriate server; and

an internal printer with a roll of paper is linked to the internal processor wherein a credit card receipt, a diagnosis of the vehicular problem and a user statement be printed.

10. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 9 wherein a holder is on the exterior of the housing for the diagnostic cable when the diagnostic cable is not in use.

11. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 9 wherein a securing means to attach the handheld automotive mobile diagnostics to the user, such as a Velcro strap for securing to the user'"'"'s arm.

12. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 9 wherein the screen may be plasma.

13. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 9 wherein there is an internal rechargeable battery with a female electrical connector on the external of the housing for connection with an external power source.

14. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 9 wherein a securing means to attach the handheld automotive mobile diagnostics to the user, such as a Velcro™

strap for securing to the user'"'"'s arm.

15. An automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 9 wherein there is an external speaker/microphone

16. The method of using an automotive mobile diagnostics comprising the following method steps:

touching the LCD screen to initiate the automotive mobile diagnostics;

swiping a credit card to download credit card information;

establishing internet contact with the credit card server;

sending the credit card information, ZIP code, PIN and charges to the credit card server;

receiving credit card approval and transaction receipt from the credit card server;

printing a credit card transaction receipt;

connecting with the OBD2 server via the internet;

calling the OBD2 server technician via the wireless cell phone if any necessary live conversation;

scanning the automobile VIN number and VIN bar code;

sending VIN information to the server;

receiving vehicle information from the server;

reprogramming the automotive mobile diagnostics vehicle specific;

connecting the DTC cable to the vehicle;

turning the vehicle ignition key on;

receiving vehicle diagnostic information from the vehicle;

sending vehicle information to the server;

speaking with the technician, if necessary;

receiving diagnostic and repair information from the internet automotive server;

printing the diagnostic and repair information for the automobile.

handing the printed report to the customer;

contacting a repair garage;

sending information to the repair garage; and

sending transaction information to the operator'"'"'s Corp. for record keeping.

17. The method of using an automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 16 further comprising the following method step of sending the VIN number and automobile diagnostic information to a personal computer and receiving a diagnostic and repair information back from the personal computer.

18. The method of using an automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 16 further comprising the following method step of sending the VIN number and automobile diagnostic information to a PDA and receiving diagnostic and repair information back from the PDA.

19. The method of using an automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 16 further comprising the following method step of the remote server flagging the deviant live data parameters (PIDS) received from the automobile.

20. The method of using an automotive mobile diagnostics as in claim 16 further comprising the following method step of the OBD2 remote server pricing an estimate for the repair.