Wireless vehicle diagnostics with service and part determination capabilities

• US 7,502,672 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US10/056,942
• Time in Patent Office: 2,601 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/24, 701/33, 701/30, 701/34, 701/213, 701/214, 701/216, 340/10.1, 340/438, 340/439, 340/988, 340/990, 340/426.36, 705/22, 705/28, 705/1, 705/8, 705/26, 705/74, 705/78, 705/65, 705/64, 370/313, 370/401, 370/457, 485/486, 700/244, 700/236, 700/241, 235/375, 731/173, 702/184, 702/185
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

An in-vehicle device data communicates with global network based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-commerce and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the global network based data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-commerce and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other remote databases. In addition, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include vehicle security and vehicle service management, data communicating Internet based radio, audio, MP3, MPEG, video, and other types of data. Furthermore, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and supporting other remote data communications.

Furthermore, the in-vehicle device can also effectuate remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote global network based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation. Remote monitoring and control of vehicle operation can be by way of a global network based data processing resources.

Claims

1. A method of servicing a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring vehicle data associated with the vehicle, said vehicle data being data communicated between an in-vehicle device located in said vehicle and a communication interface device;

b) analyzing said monitored vehicle data;

c) obtaining diagnostic information related to a determination of a type of service for the vehicle and one or more vehicle replacement part recommendations;

d) determining said one or more vehicle replacement part recommendations according to the analyzed vehicle data and the diagnostic information;

e) displaying, within said vehicle, said determined vehicle replacement part recommendations to a user;

f) receiving from said user within said vehicle approval of one or more of said displayed vehicle replacement part recommendations;

g) determining a list of vehicle service center locations for repairing the vehicle such that the determined list of vehicle service center locations is in accordance with the one or more approved vehicle replacement part recommendations and is based on the type of service for the vehicle;

h) displaying, from within the vehicle, said determined list of locations of vehicle service centers;

i) receiving, from the user within the vehicle, a selection of one of the displayed vehicle service center locations; and

j) receiving, from within the vehicle, an order for one or more vehicle parts corresponding to the approved vehicle replacement part recommendations for delivery to a vehicle service center based on the selected location.

2. The method of vehicle servicing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the order includes the steps of:

effectuating placement of the order based on the selected location and said one or more vehicle parts indicated in the order; and

confirming said order placement.

3. The method of vehicle servicing in accordance with claim 2, wherein the step of confirming said order placement further comprises the step of:

charging one or more fees for effectuating the order.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the vehicle data includes the step of:

monitoring the vehicle data communicated wirelessly between the in-vehicle device and the communication interface device.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

confirming, from within the vehicle, reception of the approval of the one or more selected vehicle replacement part recommendations at a remote location external to the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

allocating the one or more vehicle parts used for repairing vehicle when the remote location receives the approval by the user of the one or more vehicle replacement part recommendations and the user selects the vehicle service center.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the selection from the user includes receiving the selection external to the vehicle from the user.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the selection of one of the displayed vehicle service center locations includes scheduling a service with the vehicle service center.

4. A method of performing remote vehicle diagnostics to provide vehicle replacement part recommendations for a vehicle to a user for selection by the user, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving vehicle data associated with the vehicle at a communication interface device, said data being data communicated by an in-vehicle device located in the vehicle or data communicated by a programmable storage device carried by a user;

b) communicating said vehicle data from said communication interface device to a remote location via a global network;

c) analyzing said received vehicle data at said remote location;

d) accessing one or more of data processing resources to obtain diagnostic information related to a determination of one or more vehicle replacement part recommendations and information related to a type of service for the vehicle;

e) determining said one or more vehicle replacement part recommendations according to the analyzed vehicle data and the diagnostic information;

f) receiving, from said user within said vehicle, a selection of one or more of the determined vehicle replacement part recommendations;

g) determining a list of vehicle service center locations for repairing the vehicle such that the determined list of vehicle service center locations is in accordance with the one or more determined vehicle replacement part recommendations and based on the type of service for the vehicle;

h) displaying, from within the vehicle, said determined list of locations of vehicle service centers;

i) receiving, from the user within the vehicle, a selection of one of the displayed vehicle service center locations; and

j) receiving, from within the vehicle, an order for one or more vehicle parts corresponding to the selected vehicle replacement part recommendations for delivery to a vehicle service center corresponding to the selected location.

5. The method of performing remote vehicle diagnostics in accordance with claim 4, wherein the step of receiving an order includes the steps of:

effectuating an e-commerce or an e-business transaction by placing the order for the one or more vehicle parts; and

confirming said e-commerce or said e-business order placement.

6. The method of performing remote vehicle diagnostics in accordance with claim 5, wherein the step of confirming said e-commerce or said e-business order further comprises the step of:

charging one or more fees for transacting said e-commerce and/or said e-business transaction.

7. The method of performing remote vehicle diagnostics in accordance with claim 4, wherein said programmable storage device is at least one of the following:

a pocket PC, a personal data assistant, a wireless phone, a pager, an RFID device, a smart card, a magnetic card, a key fob, a key chain, or vehicle key.