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Method and system for determining the likely operating cost for a particular type of vehicle over a defined period

  • US 9,892,568 B2
  • Filed: 03/07/2014
  • Issued: 02/13/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the cost of operating a vehicle over a defined period comprising:

  • a) establishing, on a database, diagnostic data thresholds for establishing a reliable pattern of vehicle failures and an anticipated repairs schedule for a plurality of vehicle types, the anticipated repairs schedule including the approximate mileage at which anticipated future repairs are each expected to become necessary and a repair cost schedule of the anticipated future repairs for the plurality of vehicle types;

    b) configuring a data acquisition and transfer device for establishing a communication link with a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU);

    c) receiving at the data acquisition and transfer device information from the ECU identifying a vehicle type, a present mileage associated with the vehicle and current vehicle condition data;

    d) communicating the retrieved information from the vehicle data acquisition and transfer device to an internet communicable device, and communicating the retrieved information from the internet communicable device to a processor;

    e) using the information received from the ECU identifying the vehicle type, the present mileage associated with the vehicle and the anticipated repair schedule to derive, in the processor, a baseline estimate of anticipated repairs associated with operating the vehicle over the defined future period; and

    f) adjusting the baseline estimate of anticipated repairs based on a comparison of the current vehicle condition data generated by the ECU to the diagnostic data thresholds; and

    g) displaying the adjusted estimate of anticipated repairs on the internet communicable device.

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