PC-based automobile owner's manual, diagnostics, and auto care

• US 9,205,744 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2013
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Silvester, Kelan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sweeney, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US13/742,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/33.4, 701/35, 701/182
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/165 Videos and animations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/172 Driving mode indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/563 Vehicle displaying mobile device information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/573 Mobile devices controlling vehicle functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments

Abstract

A computer built into an automobile displays the owner'"'"'s manual for the car. The user requests more information about the automobile through the computer, and the additional information is displayed to the user. Information may include a description of a specific function or device of the car, service history, and/or real time status of a component of the car.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensor operative to generate real-time data about an automobile part;

a computer operative to receive the real-time data from the sensor and send a message to a device if the real-time data indicates that the automobile part is operating improperly,

a storage operative to store the real-time data; and

a switch to selectively store the real-time data in the storage based on an enablement state or a disablement state of the switch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

the automobile.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

the automobile part coupled to the automobile.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes a second computer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a docking station to which the device can be connected.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer includes a wireless transmitter operative to transmit the message to the device wirelessly.

7. A method for monitoring diagnostics of an automobile part capable of use in an automobile, the method comprising:

sensing, by a sensor, a value for the automobile part;

receiving the sensed value at an interface of a computer;

selectively storing the sensed value in a storage based on an enablement state or a disablement state of a switch;

comparing, by the computer, the value to a valid range for the automobile part; and

issuing, by the computer, a message to a device if the value is outside the valid range.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein issuing the message includes issuing, by the computer, a message to a second computer if the value is outside the valid range.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein comparing the value includes receiving, by the computer, the valid range from a user.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein issuing the message includes sending, by the computer, an electronic message to the device.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein issuing the message includes adding, by the computer, an appointment to a calendar in the device.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein issuing the message includes displaying the message on a display of the device.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein issuing the message includes issuing the message to the device via a docking station.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein issuing the message includes wirelessly transmitting the message to the device.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon instructions, that, when executed by a computer, result in:

sensing, by a sensor, a value for an automobile part capable of use in an automobile;

receiving the value by a computer;

selectively storing the sensed value in a storage based on an enablement state or a disablement state of a switch;

comparing, by the computer, the value to a valid range for the automobile part; and

issuing, by the computer, a message to a device if the value is outside the valid range.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, wherein issuing the message includes sending, by the computer, an electronic message to the device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, wherein issuing the message includes adding, by the computer, an appointment to a calendar in the device.