Method and Apparatus for Tracking, Scheduling, and Reminding about Maintenance Status

• US 20130332023A1
• Filed: 06/12/2012
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC
• Inventors: Bertosa, Thomas, Gessner, Michael, Roberts, Bob
• Granted Patent: US 8,958,943 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.4
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

An apparatus and method for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status are provided. The apparatus connects to a vehicle and retrieves state information from the vehicle. The apparatus analyzes at least the state information to determine a maintenance status of the system, and creates an alert based on at least the maintenance status of the vehicle. The alert is provided to a user, and the user can instruct the apparatus to respond to the maintenance status through selection of options provided by the alert. Through the options, the apparatus may provide the user with options for maintenance service, schedule the service, and remind the user of the scheduled service.

Claims

1. A method for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

opening a communication between the vehicle and a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is capable of being to be directly coupled to the vehicle;

reading state information of the vehicle by the monitoring device;

analyzing the state information of the vehicle by the monitoring device;

creating a maintenance alert based on the analyzed state information by the monitoring device;

formatting the alert for display on a remote device; and

sending the alert from the monitoring device to the remote device, wherein the alert includes a maintenance calendar notice capable of being accepted on the remote device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

sending to the remote device contact information for a business that provides parts and services for the vehicle;

receiving an instruction by the monitoring device; and

executing a function related to the received instruction by the monitoring device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

accessing normal operating parameters related to the state information of the vehicle, the normal operating parameters stored on a memory of the monitoring device; and

comparing the state information of the vehicle with the normal operating parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the alert further comprises determining when to send the alert by the monitoring device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the alert further comprises determining where to send the alert by the monitoring device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a smart phone and wherein creating the alert further comprises indicating a degree of the maintenance status.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein executing the function further comprises executing at least one of the following:

identifying a business location that provides a part or a service, contacting the business location to determine if the part or the service is available, contacting the business location to determine a cost of the part or the service, scheduling an appointment, and adding the appointment to the calendar.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending the alert step further comprises a notice that the alert is available.

9. An apparatus for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status of a vehicle, comprising components, wherein the components comprise:

a first memory configured to store programmed software modules, including;

a vehicle connection module configured to effect communication between the vehicle and the apparatus;

a vehicle state read module configured to retrieve a vehicle state information from the vehicle;

a vehicle state comparator module configured to analyze the vehicle state information and to determine a maintenance status relating to the vehicle state information;

a vehicle state alert module configured to create an alert based on the maintenance status, wherein the alert includes a maintenance calendar notice; and

an instruction module configured to receive an instruction from a remote device in response to the alert and to execute a function related to the received instruction;

a processor configured to execute the programmed software modules;

a communication interface configured to be capable of directly coupling the apparatus to a communication interface of the vehicle; and

a communication device configured to communicate signals between the vehicle and the processor,

wherein the components are connected to at least one communication bus located within the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

an input device configured to provide input signals to the processor; and

a display configured to display maintenance status alerts.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vehicle state comparator module is further configured to access normal operating parameters related to the vehicle state information from the first memory or a second memory and to compare the vehicle state information with the normal operating parameters.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vehicle state alert module is further configured to create the alert based on the comparison of the vehicle state information with the normal operating parameters.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first memory further includes a remote device connection module configured to effect communication between the apparatus and the remote device.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vehicle state alert module sends contact information of a business for parts or services.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first memory further includes a send alert module configured to determining when to send the alert to the remote device.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first memory further includes a send alert module configured to determine where to send the alert.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instruction module is further configured to execute at least one of the following:

identifying a business location that provide a part or a service related to the maintenance, contacting the business location to determine if the part or the service is available, contacting the business location to determine a cost of the part or the service, comparing variables that can affect a user'"'"'s decision to select the business, scheduling an appointment, and adding the appointment to the calendar.

18. A system for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status of a vehicle, comprising:

means for storing programmed software modules, including;

a vehicle connection module configured to effect communication between the vehicle and the system;

a vehicle state read module configured to retrieve a vehicle state information from the vehicle;

a vehicle state comparator module configured to analyze the vehicle state information and to determine a maintenance status relating to the vehicle state information;

a vehicle state alert module configured to create an alert based on the maintenance status, wherein the alert includes a maintenance calendar notice; and

an instruction module configured to receive an instruction from a remote device in response to the alert and to execute a function related to the received instruction;

means for processing the programmed software modules;

means for coupling configured to be capable of directly coupling the system to a communication interface of the vehicle;

means for communicating signals between the vehicle and the means for processing; and

means for connecting configured to connect the means for storing, the means for processing, the means for coupling, and the means for communicating signals.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

means for providing input signals to the means for processing; and

means for displaying maintenance status alerts.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for storing further comprises normal operating parameters related to the vehicle state information, and a send alert module configured to determining when to send the alert to the remote device.