15
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`EP1 207 499 A2
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`16
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`easily transmitted in the form of email or facsimile mes-
`sages.
`It should be clear to the reader that the inven-
`[OO42]
`tion is in no way limited to the embodiment described
`above, and that, within the scope of the invention, many
`different and advantageous embodiments and additions
`can be envisaged.
`
`Claims
`
`1. System to be used in wheeled vehicles, for regis-
`tration, processing and storage of data with respect
`to trips of the vehicle, comprising means for data
`transfer between the system according to the
`present invention and suitable electronic devices in
`said vehicle or in the proximity of said vehicle,
`characterised by the fact that the system accord-
`ing to the present invention comprises means to
`control at least one other electronic device in such
`mannerthatthrough said electronic device, trip data
`as registered, processed and stored by the system
`according to the present invention, is transferred to
`one or more telecommunications and/or datanet-
`works outside the vehicle.
`
`2. System according to claim 1, characterised by the
`fact that the system itself comprises means for
`transfer of said trip data to one or more telecommu-
`nications and/or datanetworks outside the vehicle
`
`3. System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that trip data as regis-
`tered, processed and stored by the system accord-
`ing to the present invention, comprises at least a
`trip number, date and time at the start of a trip, date
`and time at the end of a trip, the odometer reading
`at the start and at the end of a trip, and an identifi-
`cation of the purpose of the trip.
`
`4. System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised bythe factthat extra information can
`be added to trip data stored in the system according
`to the present invention, through an electronic de-
`vice in the vehicle or in the proximity of the vehicle,
`which is suitable and comprises means for transfer
`of data between the system according to the
`present invention and said electronic device.
`
`5. System according to claim 4, characterised by the
`fact that said extra information consists of an elec-
`tronic representation of the vehicle's location at the
`start and at the end of a trip.
`
`6. System according to claim 5, characterised by the
`fact that said electronic representation of the vehi-
`cle's location is determined by automatic detection
`of the cell of a cellular network for mobile commu-
`
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`nications in which the vehicle is located at a certain
`moment, and by using the known geographical lo-
`cation of this cell as an approximation for the loca-
`tion of said vehicle.
`
`System according to claim 4, characterised by the
`fact that said extra infomwation consists of an elec-
`tronic representation of speech.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that said system com-
`prises at least the following parts:
`
`-
`
`-
`
`a central control and processing unit, for in-
`stance a microprocessor, equipped with a suit-
`able software program to provide for the right
`system functionality.
`an electronic memory for storage of vehicle
`specific data like for instance a vehicle identifi-
`cation code and data necessary for calibration
`of the vehicle's electronic odometer signal.
`an electronic memory for storage of trip data as
`registered and processed by the system ac-
`cording to the present invention.
`electronic means to keep track of the current
`date and time.
`- means to detect whether the vehicle's ignition
`switch is being operated.
`- means to register
`the vehicle's electronic
`odometer signal.
`- means to connect a cable to establish datacom—
`munication with electronic devices outside the
`system according to the present invention.
`output means, suitable for issuing an optical
`and/or acoustical warning to a user of the sys-
`tem according to the present invention.
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`System according to claim 8, characterised by the
`fact that said detection whetherthe vehicle's ignition
`switch is operated, is realised by detecting signifi-
`cant changes in the electric potential on the supply
`lead of the standardised connector, which is provid-
`ed in most recent model road vehicles to facilitate
`installation of for instance a car radio.
`
`10.
`
`11.
`
`System according to claim 8, characterised by the
`fact that said electronic odometer signal is obtained
`by the system according to the present invention,
`through the standardised connector, which is pro-
`vided in most recent model road vehicles to facili-
`tate installation of for instance a car radio.
`
`System according to claim 8, characterised by the
`fact that said output means for issuing an optical
`and/or acoustical warning to the user of the system
`according to the present
`invention,
`issues said
`warning when the available memory capacity for
`storing trip data has decreased below a specified
`
`Page 001288
`
`

`
`17
`
`EP 1 207 499 A2
`
`18
`
`treshold value.
`
`distance radio commu nications.
`
`12.
`
`13.
`
`14.
`
`15.
`
`16.
`
`17.
`
`18.
`
`19.
`
`System according to claim 8, characterised by the
`fact that the system periodically derives data with
`respect to the distance travelled by the vehicle per
`unit time, from said electronic odometer signal, and
`stores said data in an electronic memory in the sys-
`tem according to the present invention.
`
`System according to claim 12, characterised by
`the fact that said data with respect to the distance
`travelled by the vehicle per unit time are stored in
`said electronic memory in such manner, and that
`said electronic memory has such capacity, that a
`databuffer is created, which contains at all time a
`certain amount ofthe most recently registered data,
`equal
`to the storage capacity of said electronic
`memory.
`
`System according to claim 8, characterised by the
`fact that at least the contents of said electronic
`memory for storage of vehicle specific data is se-
`cured by means of encryption in such manner that
`said data can only be entered, read-out and altered
`by an authorised person.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that the system compris-
`es an input means, which provides a possibility to
`a user of the system according to the present inven-
`tion, to indicate whether the system should register
`the vehicle trip as business, private or commuting.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that the system compris-
`es means to detect whether the filling opening of
`the vehicle's fuel tank is in an open orclosed state.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that the system compris-
`es means for data transfer by way of infrared light
`between the system according to the present inven-
`tion and electronic devices in the vehicle or in the
`proximity of the vehicle.
`
`System according to claim 17, characterised by
`the fact that said means for data transfer by way of
`infrared light, operate in conformity with the so-
`called "|rDA" (Infrared Data Association) communi-
`cations standard.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that the system compris-
`es such means that data transfer between the sys-
`tem according to the present invention and elec-
`tronic devices in the vehicle or in the proximity of
`the vehicle, is accomplished in conformity with the
`so-called "B|uetooth" de-facto standard for short-
`
`20.
`
`21.
`
`5
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`
`22.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that parts of the system
`are placed in the vehicle in such manner and atsuch
`|ocation(s) that said parts are mechanically at-
`tached to the vehicle and protected against unau-
`thorised access and/or tampering, from within the
`vehicle's passenger compartment, as well as from
`outside the vehicle.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that trip data and extra
`information as registered, processed and stored by
`the system according to the present invention,
`is
`transferred to telecommunications and/or datanet-
`works outside the vehicle,
`in the form of S.M.S.
`(Short Message Service)-messages.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that trip data and extra
`information as registered, processed and stored by
`the system according to the present invention,
`is
`transferred to telecommunications and/or datanet-
`works outside the vehicle, in the form of email mes-
`sages.
`
`25
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`10
`
`23.
`
`System according to one of the preceding claims,
`characterised by the fact that trip data and extra
`information as registered, processed and stored by
`the system according to the present invention,
`is
`transferred to telecommunications and/or datanet-
`works outside the vehicle, in the form of facsimile
`messages.
`
`Page 001289
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`

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`Page 001290
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`EP 1 207 499 A2
`
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`
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`
`11
`
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`
`

`
`EP 1 207 499 A2
`
`EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
`
`omw—>m—£3
`_.|rI.._|..IJ
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`12
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`Page 001291
`
`
`

`
`(19) 9)
`
`Européiisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`
`Office européen des brevets
`
`(11)
`
`EP1 164 551 A2
`
`(12)
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`19.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/51
`
`(51)
`
`|ntC|.7: G07C 5/00
`
`(21) Application number: 01304905.1
`
`(22) Date of filing: 05.06.2001
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU
`MC NL PT SE TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL LT LV MK RO SI
`
`(71) Applicant: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Tech nology LLC
`Troy, Michigan 48084 (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Ramsey, Reno
`Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313 (US)
`
`(30) Priority: 12.06.2000 Us 591970
`
`(74) Representative: Barnfather, Karl Jon, Dr. et al
`Withers & Rogers, Goldings House, 2 Hays Lane
`London SE1 2HW (GB)
`
`
`(54)
`
`Personal data computer for vehicle monitoring
`
`A personal computer, generally of the type
`(57)
`commonly available under the trade name Palm Pi-
`|otT'V'is utilized on a heavy vehicleto obtain information.
`The information may be analyzed by software provided
`on the computer. The computer is removed from a dock-
`ing module on the vehicle and plugged into a docking
`module at a headquarters base. Data can then be down-
`loaded to the headquarters. At the same time, the head-
`quarters can upload information intothe computerwhich
`
`may be then downloaded into the vehicle when the com-
`puter is returned to the vehicle. The information taken
`from the vehicle to the computer may include trip infor-
`mation such as mileage, state line crossing, etc. The in-
`formation uploaded into the computer may include trip
`information which can then provide instructions to a nav-
`igation system on the vehicle. Moreover, the system
`may also provide diagnostic analyses while on the ve-
`hicle.
`
`Z0
`
`
`
`
`
`EP1164551A2
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARlS (FR)
`
`Page 001292
`
`

`
`1
`
`EP1 164 551 A2
`
`2
`
`Description
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates to the use of a personal
`computer which is selectively plugged into a vehicle,
`and into a base facility to selectively gather, analyze and
`transmit data. Heavy vehicles such as trucks, typically
`require a good deal of data storage and gathering.
`In
`particular, on a typical heavy truck trip, the driver must
`gather a good deal of information with regard to the route
`traveled. As an example, taxes must be assessed based
`on the number of state lines crossed, etc. Thus, it is typ-
`ically necessary for a truck driver to prepare detailed
`manual logs during or after a trip.
`[0002]
`It would also be desirable to have a system
`which monitors and analyzes variables during the oper-
`ation ofthevehicle. As an example, it would be desirable
`to be able to monitor the number of hours driven by an
`operator, such that an operator is not allowed to drive
`fortoo many hours. Moreover, it would be desirable to
`have a system that can monitor variables such as anom-
`alies in the operation of the vehicle, and analyze such
`anomalies.
`
`[0003] On-board computers are known for vehicles.
`However, these on-board computers are typically dedi-
`cated into the control system for the vehicle. Moreover,
`the system is relatively expensive in that hardware and
`software must be individually tailored for the particular
`vehicle. Many heavy vehicles are manufactured in rela-
`tively low runs, and thus, it may not be cost effective to
`prepare individual computers.
`[0004] More recently, the assignee of the present in-
`vention has proposed a system wherein a so-called
`"Smart Card" stores information during operation of a
`vehicle, and may then be taken from the vehicle. This
`card is able to store information with regard to the vehi-
`cle, and with regard to the operator operating the vehi-
`cle. While this Smart Card does provide manyfunctional
`benefits, it is not able to perform any computations on
`the gathered data.
`[0005]
`It would be desirable to develop a system
`which can not only gather, but also analyze and respond
`to the gathered data.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the enclosed embodiment of this invention,
`[0006]
`a removable personal data assistant (PDA) or computer,
`is docked in a docking station on the vehicle. The PDA
`gathers operational information from the vehicle. When
`the driver leaves the vehicle the PDA can be taken with
`the operator and brought to a headquarters facility.
`In
`this way, it is relatively simple to download operational
`information from the vehicle to the headquarters. Fur-
`ther, the headquarters can upload information into the
`PDA which can then be transmitted to the vehicle when
`the driver returns to the vehicle.
`
`[0007] Among the types of information which may be
`gathered and stored by the PDA includes operational
`information such as driver identification, trip information,
`operational history for the driver, etc. Moreover, the in-
`formation which has typically been stored in manual logs
`by the operator can be simply stored on the computer.
`As an example, the number of state lines crossed, etc.,
`may be stored.
`[0008] Moreover, the computer is able to analyze and/
`or store information from the vehicle during operation of
`the vehicle to look for anomalies. As an example, a
`number of particular conditions may be sensed by the
`computer which would be indicative of a particular prob-
`lem. The computer may then send a diagnostic signal
`which will enable the problem to be further identified.
`[0009]
`In a most preferred embodiment, an off-the-
`shelf computer may be utilized.
`In this way, no expen-
`sive hardware or software need be developed. One
`such PDA is typically known and available under the
`trade name Palm PilotT"'. Such a PDA is easily tailored
`to include additional software such that the headquar-
`ters can program the PDA to include particular software
`for any particular function the headquarters would like
`be performed at the vehicle. Again, the use of this sys-
`tem simplifies and facilitates the gathering of data from
`the vehicle.
`[0010] These and other features of the present inven-
`tion can be best understood from the following specifi-
`cation and drawings, the following which is a brief de-
`scription.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
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`
`Figure 1 schematically shows a headquarters and
`vehicle.
`Figure 2 is a schematic view of the PDA mounted
`in a vehicle.
`Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`is a schematic view of a system 20
`Figure 1
`[0012]
`incorporating a heavy vehicle 22 with an onboard com-
`puter or controller 24. Computer 24 communicates
`through a bus line with a docking module 26. A remov-
`able computer 28 is plugged into the docking module 26.
`[0013] A remote headquarters 30 also includes a
`docking module or base 32 to receive the removable
`computer 28. The docking module 32 communicates
`with a headquarters computer 34.
`[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the computer 24 re-
`ceives operational
`information from a number of on-
`board devices 40, 42, 44. Thus, operational information
`is transferred through the data bus, into the module 26,
`and then to the removable computer 28. Among the in-
`
`Page 001293
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`3
`
`EP1 164 551 A2
`
`4
`
`formation received by the computer 28 is distance
`traveled,
`location, navigation system information, etc.
`The removable computer 28 calculates information ap-
`plicable for taxes such as fuel taxes, and taxes based
`on crossing a state line. The software provided on the
`removable computer 28 is appropriate for receiving the
`information and calculating the required taxes.
`[0015] Moreover, the removable computer 28 may be
`provided with the ability to analyze anomalies in the in-
`formation transferred overthe data bus. As an example,
`if a particular anomaly is indicative of a problem with one
`of the components 40, 42, or 44 the computer 28 may
`send a signal which will assist in diagnosing which com-
`ponents is experiencing a failure. That diagnosis is then
`stored at the computer 28, or a signal can be sent. When
`the removable computer 28 is next loaded into the dock-
`ing module 32 at headquarters, the computer may then
`download the operational information with regard to the
`failing component. Aworker in this art would understand
`thesignals, etc. that would provide such diagnosticfunc-
`tions.
`information
`[0016] Updated software, or additional
`with regard to the driver, the trip, etc., may be uploaded
`from the headquarters computer 34 into the removable
`computer 28. In this way, chip information, or updated
`information with regard to what the company would like
`to be monitored can be uploaded into the computer 24
`on an ongoing basis. A navigation system which may be
`one of the components 40, 42 or 44 may be associated
`with the onboard computer 24, and provide detailed trip
`information to removable computer 28. Further, trip in-
`formation could be uploaded from the headquarters into
`the vehicle, and would then communication with the
`navigation system. Again, the provision of a removable
`computer 28 which is relatively inexpensive thus pro-
`vides valuable benefits.
`[0017]
`Further, while plugged into either module 32 or
`26, the computer is being recharged.
`[0018]
`Figure 3 is a flow chartfor an invention utilizing
`the removable computer 28 into a vehicle. First, the
`computer 28 is plugged into a vehicle.
`It begins to re-
`ceive information and/or transmit information. Informa-
`tion received may be analyzed for purposes of calculat-
`ing required taxes. Further, information may be output-
`ted to the vehicle as in the diagnostic information as
`mentioned above.
`[0019]
`Finally, the removable computer may be un-
`plugged from the vehicle and plugged into aterminal at
`headquarters. At that time data may be downloaded,
`while other information may be uploaded.
`[0020] While preferred embodiments of this invention
`have been disclosed, a worker in this art would recog-
`nize that many modifications would come within the
`scope of this invention. For that reason, the following
`claims should be studied to determine the true scope
`and content of this invention.
`
`10
`
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`50
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`
`Claims
`
`1. A method of gathering and analyzing data from op-
`eration of a vehicle (22) comprising the steps of:
`
`(i) providing a first docking module (26) on a
`vehicle, and a second docking module (32) at
`a remote location (70);
`(ii) plugging a removable computer (28) into
`saidfirst docking module onthevehicle and op-
`erating said vehicle;
`(iii) storing information from operation of the ve-
`hicle on said removable computer, and analys-
`ing said information; and
`(iv) removing said removable computer from
`said first docking module on said vehicle and
`plugging said removable computer into said
`docking module at said remote location.
`
`2. A method as recited in Claim ‘l,wherein among the
`analyses made is calculating taxes required for op-
`eration of said vehicle.
`
`3. A method as recited in Claim 2 wherein the remov-
`
`able computer processes data supplied by one or
`more onboard devices (40, 42, 44) on said vehicle
`so as to calculate said taxes.
`
`4. Amethod as recited in any preceding Claim wherein
`information is uploaded into said removable com-
`puter when docked into said second docking mod-
`ule at said remote location, and said information is
`downloaded into said vehicle when said removable
`computer is docked into said first docking module.
`
`5. A method as recited in Claim 4, wherein trip infor-
`mation and/or driver information is uploaded into
`said removable computer and then downloaded into
`said vehicle.
`
`6. Amethod as recited in any preceding Claim, where-
`in said removable computer analyses operational
`information and identified anomalies, and then
`sends control signals to a vehicle controller while
`docked on said vehicle.
`
`7. A method as recited in Claim 6, wherein the remov-
`able computer sends a signal to assist in diagnosing
`said anomaly, and/or interrogates the vehicle con-
`trol to assist in diagnosis and/or analysis.
`
`8. A method as recited in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein
`said operational information is at least one of loca-
`tion data, navigational data, data related to passing
`a State Line, and/or distance data.
`
`9. Amethod as recited in any preceding Claim, where-
`in trip information is downloaded from said vehicle
`
`Page 001294
`
`

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`5
`
`EP 1 164 551 A2
`
`6
`
`into said computer during step (ii).
`
`10. A method as recited in any preceding Claim, where-
`in the removable computer may be programmed so
`as to store and analyse differing data for differing
`drivers of said vehicle.
`
`11. A system (20) for monitoring operation of a vehicle
`(22) comprising:
`
`A vehicle (22) including a docking module and
`a computer;
`A headquarters (30) having a docking module
`(32); and
`A removable computer (28) which may be
`plugged into said docking module at said head-
`quarters and said docking module on said ve-
`hicle, said computer obtaining data from said
`vehicle during operation of said vehicle, and
`downloading said data to said headquarters
`when removed from said vehicle.
`
`12. A system as set forth in Claim 10, wherein said
`headquarters also uploads information into said
`computer to be downloaded into said vehicle.
`
`5
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`EP1 164 551 A2
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`Page 001296
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`
`(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`15 November 2001 (15.11.2001)
`
`
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`
`(51)
`
`International Patent Classification’:
`GO6G 7/70
`
`G06F 19/00,
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US01/ 14747
`
`International Filing Date:
`
`8 May 2001 (08.05.2001)
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ,
`DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR,
`HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KR KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR,
`LS, LT, LU, LV, MA. MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ,
`N0,NZ, PL,1’F,RO,RU, SD, SE, SG, 51, SK, SL, TJ, TM,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, zw.
`
`(25)
`
`Filing Language:
`
`(26)
`
`Publication Language:
`
`(30)
`
`Priority Data:
`60/202,419
`
`English
`
`English
`
`8 lvlay 2000 (08.05.2000) US
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian
`patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European
`patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE,
`IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF,
`CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`(71)
`
`SYSTECH INTERNA-
`for US only):
`Applicant
`TIONAL, L.L.C.
`[US/US]; 6075 Jackson Road, Ann
`Arbor, MI 48103 (US).
`
`Published:
`with international search report
`
`(72)
`(75)
`
`(74)
`
`Inventor; and
`TRIPHATHI,
`0’or US only):
`Inventor/Applicant
`Pracleep, R. [US/US]; 5500 Lohr Lake Drive, Ann Arbor,
`MI 48108 (US).
`
`VAN DYKE, GARDNER, LINN &
`Agents:
`BURKHART L.L.P. et al.; 2851 Charlevoix Drive,
`SE., Suite 207, PO. Box 888695, Grand Rapids, MI
`49588-8695 (US).
`
`For two—letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations " appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
`
`(54) Title: MONITORING OF VEHICLE HEALTH BASED ON HISTORICAL INFORMATION
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`BRIEF ANALYSIS I WARNlNGS I ALERTS
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`VEHICLE DATA
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`(57) Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting abnorrnal behaviour in a vehicle (8) with an engine having engine control
`module includes providing a database (20), and a vehicle analyser (12) having a communication device (16) and an interface (14)
`‘-1 that links the communication device (16) to a vehicle (8). Engine parameters that are retrieved through the interface (14) during
`driving experience are uploaded to the database (20) using the communication device (16). The database (20) analyses the engine
`parameters from multiple driving experiences to establish historical data and determine normal operation of particular retrieved en-
`gine parameters based on the historical data. A vehicle (8) can be diagnosed by comparing its retrieved engine parameters with the
`database (20).
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`WO 01/86576
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`PCT/US01/14747
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`MONITORING OF VEHICLE HEALTH BASED ON HISTORICAL INFORMATION
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`CROSS—REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
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`This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser.-No.
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`60/202,419 filed on May 8, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
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`reference in its entirety.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`In the United States, automotive mechanics are not always viewed as being fully
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`trusted and reliable. Practicality indicates that automotive mechanics typically are not
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`fraudulent, but rather overwhelmed with the complexity of the modern cornputer—contr0lled
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`vehicle. With hundreds of parameters dictating a vehicle’s performance, it may be difficult to
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`pinpoint the source of the problem regardless of the mechanic’s skill level. There has also
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`been decay in the number of households that perform basic maintenance to their own
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`A vehicles. The primary reason again relates to the increase in complexity of the modern
`vehicle.
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`The problem with the current approach for diagnosis and maintenance is that it is
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`performed in a static Inanner. Typical diagnosis of a vehicle’s performance is based on a
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`single snap shop image of the vehicle’s characteristics. Presently, adequate use of vehicle
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`and driving mode specific historical information is not used to assist in this process.
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`Present diagnostic tools that interface to the vehicle computer will show various
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`sensor data and information. However, aside from actual fault codes from the vehicle, these
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`tools do not contain tolerances for each and every vehicle type and driving conditions for the
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`vast available parameters. As a result, the mechanic must determine from hundreds of
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`available parameters the potential cause of the problem. This requires extensive expertise
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`and references to technical manuals on sensor input and output status for that vehicle type.
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`Ultimately, vehicle maintenance and diagnosis can be complicated and costly, considering
`the current tools that are available.
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`Onboard Diagnostics, or OBD, was developed primarily for monitoring the vehicle’s
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`emissions control systems by the Engine Control Module (ECM), which will typically
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`display a general warning to the operator when a fault is detected. It also provides a means
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`by which a mechanic or vehicle inspector can access specific fault codes related to engine
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`hardware that can affect emissions and engine performance. The OBD system is accessible
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`via a standardized communications cable and a microprocessor-based device, often referred
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`to as a scan tool, that implements a standardized communications protocol. Data from
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`onboard sensors can be accessed at a rate of up to 50 Hz.
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`Prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,638 to Keeler et a1. and 5,625,750 to Puskorius
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`et al. that claim the use of artificial intelligence computer systems that can be trained to
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`predict failure of the catalytic converter and to predict certain emissions levels. Both
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`standard OBD sensors and additional sensors are used to generate inputs into these learning
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`algorithms. Prior systems do not attempt to establish parameters during different driving and
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`vehicle conditions. Instead, generic broad parameters are established covering multiple
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`Vehicles and driving conditions. Prior systems also use several parameters in conjunction to
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`predict a certain condition, such as high hydrocarbon emissions.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`The federal government has mandated that all vehicles sold in the United States shall
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`have a standardized interface to the vehicle’s computer. The present invention provides a
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`Vehicle analyzer that can be embodied as a microprocessor—based hardware/software package
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`designed to communicate with OBD (onboard diagnostics) computer systems contained in
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`1996 and later vehicles sold in the United States. The present invention provides a product
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`that is useful for both the consumer and the professional.
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`A method of detecting abnormal engine behavior in a vehicle, according to an aspect
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`of the invention, includes providing a database, a communication device and an interface to
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`an engine control module and retrieving engine parameters through the interface during a
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`driving experience and uploading the engine parameters to the database using the
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`communication device. The method further includes analyzing the uploaded engine
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`parameters from multiple driving experiences at the database to establish historical data and
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`determining normal operation of particular retrieved engine parameters based on the
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`' historical data. The method further includes comparing engine parameters of a vehicle to be
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`diagnosed With the normal operation of particular retrieved engine parameters to determine
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`whether the vehicle to be diagnosed operates outside of the normal operation.‘
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`A method of detecting abnormal engine behavior in a vehicle, according to another
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`aspect of the invention, includes providing a database and multiple vehicle analyzers, each of
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`the vehicle analyzers including a communication device and an interface with an engine
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`control module. The method further includes retrieving engine parameters for multiple
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`vehicles that are generally the same type as each other using the multiple vehicle analyzers
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`and uploading the retrieved engine parameters to the database. The method further includes
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`analyzing the uploaded engine parameters from the multiple vehicles to establish historical
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`data and determining normal operation of particular retrieved engine parameters based on the
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`historical data. The method further includes preparing engine parameters of a vehicle
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`generally of the same type with the normal operation of particular retrieved engine
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`parameters to determine whether the vehicle operates outside the normal operation.
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`In either of the above-identified methods, the analyzing may include retrieving engine
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`parameters over multiple driving experiences, storing the data over multiple driving
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`experiences into the database and establishing statistical control limits for the particular
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`engine parameters. This may further include establishing statistical control limits for
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`particular engine parameters during various driving conditions which may include idle,
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`steady cruise at various speeds, and various rates of acceleration and deceleration. The
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`particular engine parameters may include critical engine parameters. The historical data may
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`be based on engine parameters retrieved previously from the vehicle to be diagnosed.
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`In either of the above—identified methods, the uploading may include communicating
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`over either an Internet or an Intranet. The communication may be via wireless
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`communication. The uploading may include communicating over a global network and may
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`further include providing a wireless communication device that is adapted to connect with the
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`database over the global network. The communication device may include browser software
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`and the interface may include an onboard diagnostic interface.
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`A system for detecting abnormal vehicle engine behavior, according to an aspect of
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`the invention, includes a vehicle analyzer having a communication device and an interface
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`that links the wireless communication device to a vehicle. The system furt