Smart phone app-based remote vehicle diagnostic system and method

• US 9,483,884 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2015
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Chen, Ieon C., Andreasen, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jerrah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bendidi, Rachid
• Application Number:
  US14/645,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20150187146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 701/31.5, 701/29.4, 701/31.4, 701/29.9, 340/901, 340/905, 342/357.22, 342/357.52
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

Provided is a remote vehicle diagnostic system which utilizes a smart phone as a centralized communication hub between a vehicle and several remote resources. The system includes a program downloadable onto the smart phone to program the phone to perform desired functionality. The smart phone app may allow the smart phone to operate in several different modes, including a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode. In the diagnostic mode, the smart phone may relay vehicle data from the vehicle to a remote diagnostic center. The smart phone may also query the user to obtain symptomatic diagnostic information, which may also be uploaded to the remote diagnostic center. In the emergency mode, the smart phone may be configured to upload critical information to a remote diagnostic center, as well as an emergency response center. The emergency mode may be triggered automatically in response to the vehicle being in an accident, or alternatively, but user actuation.

Claims

1. An automotive diagnostic system for use with a remote diagnostic center, a smart phone having a sensor for detecting a prescribed vehicle operational condition, and a vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer which generates and stores vehicle data including operational data and an accident indicator generated in response to a vehicle accident event, the automotive diagnostic system comprising:

a data storage unit connectable with the onboard vehicle computer for retrieving vehicle data from the onboard vehicle computer and storing the vehicle data, the data storage unit being configured to generate a first emergency initiation signal in response to receipt of the accident indicator from the vehicle; and

non-transitory computer executable instructions stored in the smart phone for configuring the smart phone to;

communicate with the data storage unit;

receive a second emergency initiation signal from the user;

generate a third emergency initiation signal in response to detection of the prescribed vehicle operational condition by the smart phone; and

operate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode;

in the diagnostic mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center when the vehicle data includes predetermined operational data, and initiates a symptomatic question sequence for the user when the vehicle data does not include the predetermined operational data and there is no accident indicator received from the vehicle wherein the symptomatic question sequence for the user in the diagnostic mode comprises a plurality of closed-ended questions presented in a multiple choice format, and wherein the multiple choice answers further include follow up questions;

1. what appears to be the nature of the problem?

a) mechanical;

or

b) electrical

2. what type of symptom(s) are you experiencing?

a) irregular smell;

b) irregular sound;

c) irregular sight, smoke;

or

d) irregular feel, vibration

3. where is the irregular sound coming from?

a) front-driver'"'"'s side;

b) front-passenger'"'"'s side;

c) rear-driver'"'"'s side or

d) rear-passenger'"'"'s side

4. When do you hear the sound?

a) when the car is parked;

or

b) when the car is moving and

5. Does the sound occur when you press the brake?

a) yes;

or

b) no; and

in the emergency mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center automatically in response to receipt of one of the first, second, and third emergency initiation signals.

2. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the operational data includes a diagnostic trouble code, and the data storage unit is configured to retrieve the diagnostic trouble code from the onboard vehicle computer.

3. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the operational data includes battery condition information, and the data storage unit is configured to retrieve the battery condition information from the onboard vehicle computer.

4. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 3, wherein the data storage unit includes an internal power supply separate from a vehicle power supply.

5. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 4, wherein the data storage unit is configured to:

receive a voltage signal from the vehicle when the data storage unit is connected to the vehicle; and

generate a voltage loss signal when the data storage unit is connected to the vehicle and the voltage signal is below a prescribed threshold.

6. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the accident indicator is associated with airbag deployment.

7. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions configure the smart phone to detect the prescribed vehicle operational condition based on a change in acceleration sensed by the smart phone.

8. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions configures the smart phone to detect the prescribed vehicle operational condition based on an acoustic signal sensed by the smart phone.

9. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions configures the smart phone to detect the prescribed vehicle operational condition based on combination of an acoustic signal and a change in acceleration sensed by the smart phone.

10. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage unit is adapted to transmit a wireless signal.

11. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 10, wherein the data storage unit is adapted to transmit the wireless signal using a short-range wireless protocol having a range of less than or equal to 50 feet.

12. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 10, wherein the data storage unit is adapted to transmit the wireless signal using a long-range wireless protocol having a range of greater than 50 feet.

13. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the smart phone to assign a diagnostic mode button and an emergency mode button, such that when the diagnostic mode button is activated by the user, the smart phone enters the diagnostic mode, and when the emergency mode button is activated by the user, the second initiation signal is generated.

14. The automotive diagnostic system recited in claim 1, wherein the initiation of the symptomatic question sequence in the diagnostic mode is initiated independent of any user intervention.

15. An automotive diagnostic and safety method using a handheld communication device adapted to interface with a remote diagnostic center and a vehicle, the handheld communication device having a sensor for detecting a prescribed vehicle operational condition, and the vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer which generates and stores vehicle data including operational data and an accident indicator generated in response to a vehicle accident event, the method comprising:

establishing a communication link between the handheld communication device and the onboard vehicle computer;

receiving vehicle data from the onboard vehicle computer at the handheld communication device;

configuring the handheld communication device to;

generate a first emergency initiation signal on the handheld communication device in response to receipt of the accident indicator from the vehicle on the handheld communication device;

generate a second emergency initiation signal on the handheld communication device in response to receipt of an emergency input from the user on the handheld communication device;

generate a third emergency initiation signal on the handheld communication device in response to detection of the prescribed vehicle operational condition by the handheld communication device; and

operating the handheld communication device in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode;

in the diagnostic mode, the handheld communication device uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center when the vehicle data includes predetermined operational data, and initiates a symptomatic question sequence for the user displayed on the handheld communication device when the vehicle data does not include the predetermined operational data;

wherein the symptomatic question sequence for the user in the diagnostic mode comprises a plurality of closed-ended questions presented in a multiple choice format, and wherein the multiple choice answers further include follow up questions;

1. what appears to be the nature of the problem?

a) mechanical;

or

b) electrical

2. what type of symptom(s) are you experiencing?

a) irregular smell;

b) irregular sound;

c) irregular sight, smoke;

or

d) irregular feel, vibration

3. where is the irregular sound coming from?

a) front-driver'"'"'s side;

b) front-passenger'"'"'s side;

c) rear-driver'"'"'s side or

d) rear-passenger'"'"'s side

4. When do you hear the sound?

a) when the car is parked;

or

b) when the car is moving and

5. Does the sound occur when you press the brake?

a) yes;

or

b) no; and

in the emergency mode, the handheld communication device uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center automatically in response to receipt of one of the first, second, and third emergency initiation signals.

16. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the step of retrieving vehicle data from the onboard vehicle computer onto the handheld communication device is achieved through direct communication between the handheld communication device and the vehicle.

17. The method recited in claim 16, wherein the direct communication between the handheld communication device and the vehicle is wireless communication.

18. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the step of retrieving vehicle data includes retrieving a diagnostic trouble code from the onboard vehicle computer.

19. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the step of retrieving vehicle data includes retrieving battery condition information.

20. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the accident indicator is associated with airbag deployment.

21. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the detection of the prescribed vehicle operational condition is based on a change in acceleration sensed by the handheld communication device.

22. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the detection of the prescribed vehicle operational condition is based on an acoustic signal sensed by the handheld communication device.

23. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the detection of the prescribed vehicle operational condition is based on combination of an acoustic signal and a change in acceleration sensed by the handheld communication device.