111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008036788B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Breed
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`(54) VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC OR PROGNOSTIC
`MESSAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND
`METHODS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: David S. Breed, Miami Beach, FL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Automotive Technologies
`International, Inc., Denville, NJ (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.c. 154(b) by 1097 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/836,274
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 9, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0147265 Al
`
`Jun. 19,2008
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/331,060,
`filed on Dec. 27, 2002, now Pat. No. 7,635,043, which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No.
`101188,673, filed on Jul. 3, 2002, now Pat. No.
`6,738,697, which
`is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 091753,186, filed on Jan. 2, 2001, now
`Pat. No. 6,484,080, which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 09/137,918, filed on Aug. 20, 1998,
`now
`Pat. No.
`6,175,787, which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 08/476,077,
`filed on Jun. 7, 1995, now Pat. No. 5,809,437, said
`application No.1 01188,673 is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 101174,709, filed on Jun. 19,2002,
`now
`Pat. No.
`6,735,506, which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 091753,186,
`application No.
`111836,274, which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/638,743,
`filed on Aug. 11,2003, now Pat. No. 7,284,769, which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No.
`101188,673, and a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 10/330,938, filed on Dec. 27, 2002, now Pat. No.
`6,823,244, which is a continuation-in-part of
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOIM 17/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................... 701130; 701129; 701/33
`(58) Field of Classification Search .............. 701129-36;
`7021182-185, 188
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,022,146 A
`5/1977 Sadler
`(Continued)
`
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`56147530
`1111981
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`SAE Paper No. 950759, Anton T. Van Zanteen, et ai., "VDC, The
`Vehicle Dynamics Control System of Bosch", International Congress
`and Exposition, Detroit, MI, Feb. 27-Mar. 2, 1995,20 pages.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Yonel Beaulieu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Brian Roffe
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`System and method for monitoring the condition of a vehicle
`includes a communications unit arranged to interface with a
`wireless communications network, at least one sensor for
`monitoring at least one component or subsystem of the
`vehicle and which is coupled to the communications unit, and
`a remote site connected to the wireless communications net(cid:173)
`work and arranged to receive diagnostic or prognostic mes(cid:173)
`sages from the vehicle with the transmission initiated there(cid:173)
`from. A diagnostic module may be provided, included or
`coupled to the sensor(s) and directs the communications unit
`to transmit a message to the remote site upon determining an
`actual and/or potential failure of a component or subsystem.
`
`(Continued)
`
`21 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`I"I"""-""~
`U
`'nlAN!!.FUIID'I'tllIlIJDlTV
`
`I~~=I-=-I~~ I
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`1iI~ f--
`,,-
`
`D BlIEAKPlIJ!lIIIUlI!IIIBNSOll
`
`,ft OOCllJoNTI'RBBIIUIIIISIINIIOlI.
`
`IPR2013-00417 - Ex. 1001
`Toyota Motor Corp., Petitioner
`1
`
`

`

`US 8,036,788 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`application No. 101188,673, application No. 111836,274,
`which
`IS a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/940,881, filed on Sep. 13,2004, now Pat. No. 7,663,502,
`which
`IS a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/613,453, filed on Jul. 3, 2003, now Pat. No. 6,850,824,
`which is a continuation of application No. 101188,673, said
`application No. 10/940,881 is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/805,803, filed on Mar. 22, 2004, now Pat.
`No. 7,050,897, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 101174,709, and a continuation-in-part of application No.
`101188,673, application No. 111836,274, which
`IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 111082,739, filed on
`Mar. 17, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,421,321, which IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 101701,361, filed on
`Nov. 4, 2003, now Pat. No. 6,988,026, which IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/925,062, filed on
`Aug. 8, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,733,036, which IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/356,314, filed on
`Jul. 16, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,326,704, which IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/137,918, said
`application No. 09/925,062 is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 091767,020, filed on Jan. 23, 2001, now Pat.
`No. 6,533,316, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`IS a
`No. 09/356,314, said application No. 101701,361
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/043,557, filed on
`Jan. 11, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,905,135, which IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 091925,062, said
`application No. 101701,361 is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 101174,709, filed on Jun. 19,2002, now Pat.
`No. 6,735,506, and a continuation-in-part of application No.
`101188,673, and a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/330,938, filed on Dec. 27, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,823,244,
`and a continuation-in-part of application No. 10/613,453,
`said application No. 111082,739 is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 111039,129, filed on Jan. 19,2005, now Pat.
`No. 7,082,359, which is a division of application No.
`101701,361, application No. 111836,274, which
`IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 111131,623, filed on
`May 18, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,481,453, which IS a
`continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/043,557,
`application No. 111836,274, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 111421,500, filed on Jun. 1,2006, now Pat.
`No. 7,672,756, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 111220,139, filed on Sep. 6, 2005, now Pat. No.
`7,103,460, which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`111120,065, filed on May 2, 2005, now abandoned,
`application No. 111836,274, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 111421,554, filed on Jun. 1,2006, now Pat.
`No. 7,832,762, and a continuation-in-part of application No.
`111422,240, filed on Jun. 5, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,630,802,
`which
`IS a continuation-in-part of application No.
`111220,139, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 111120,065, application No. 111836,274, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 111464,288, filed on
`Aug. 14, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,650,210, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/931,288, filed on
`Aug. 31, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,164,117, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/613,453, and a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/805,903, said
`application No. 111464,288 is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 11/220,139, application No. 111836,274,
`which
`IS a continuation-in-part of application No.
`111470,061, filed on Sep. 5, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,527,288,
`which
`IS a continuation-in-part of application No.
`111220,139, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 111120,065.
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`
`2
`
`

`

`US 8,036,788 B2
`Page 3
`
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`JP
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`
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`Defendant's Invalidity Contentions of claims 1,2,4,6-11, 15, 19,20,
`22,24-27,31,33,35,36,38-41,44,48,52-55 and 59 of US 6484080
`from Automotive Technologies International, Inc. v. American
`Honda Motor Co., Inc., et al. Civil Action No. 06-187-GMS, United
`States District Court, District of Delaware.
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`US 6850824 from Automotive Technologies International, Inc. v.
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`GMS, United States District Court, District of Delaware.
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`Corporation Civil Action No. 08-CV-II048, United States District
`Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division.
`* cited by examiner
`
`3
`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`Vibration Sensor
`
`39
`
`50
`
`)
`Vo/tageor
`CUrrent Sensor
`
`35
`
`51
`
`PIq.l
`
`PIq.2
`
`4
`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`9
`
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`
`t----------
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`
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`
`2 MICROPHONES
`
`3
`
`4
`
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`
`on. PlU!SSURE SENSOR
`
`5 On. LEVEL SENSOR
`
`6 AIR. FLOW METER.
`
`7 VOLTMETElt
`
`8 AMMETER.
`
`9 HUMIDITY SENSOR
`10 ENGINE KNOCK SENSOR
`
`11 on. TURBIDITY SENSOR
`
`12 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
`
`13 STHBRING TORQUE SENSOR
`
`14 WBEELSPBED SENSOR
`
`15 TACHOMETER.
`
`16 SPBEDOMETElt
`
`17 OXYGEN SENSOR
`18 PITCH & ROLL SENSOR
`
`19 CLOCK
`
`20 ODOMETER.
`
`21 PWR. sm PRESSURE SENSOR
`
`22 POLUTION SENSOR
`
`23 PUBLGAGE
`
`24 CABIN THER.OMEI'ER.
`II TRANSMISSION FLD LVL SNSR
`
`26 U\.WSENSOR
`
`27 COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR
`
`28 TRANS. FLUID TURBIDITY
`
`29 BREAK PRESSURE SENSOR
`
`I~
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`
`30 COOLANT PRESSURE SENSOR 1 -
`
`31 ACCELEROMETERS
`
`r---
`
`5
`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
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`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
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`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`118
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`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`Prior Art
`
`PIg.17)l
`
`PIg.17(]J
`
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`
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`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`(Fl +F2)
`
`SAW
`Filter
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`F2
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`
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`(Fl +F2)
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`F2
`
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`Filter
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`F2
`
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`
`Plq.19C
`
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`
`-----1
`F 1
`Fl +F2
`---0
`F2from SAW
`-----D-
`Fl +F2 to Antenna
`-----D-
`
`11
`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`r
`
`620
`
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`12
`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`tpI(].28
`
`49
`
`~ 18
`
`344
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`38
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`VEHICLE
`OFF
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`CURRENT
`LOCATION OF
`VEHICLE AND
`LOCATION OFF
`
`DETERMINE PATH
`FROM CURRENT
`LOCATION TO
`LOCATION
`OFF ROADWAY
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`86
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`
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`SYSTEM TO GUIDE
`VEHICLE OFF
`ROADWAY
`
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`~------~~
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`,
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`
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`
`PREVENT
`RE-ENTRY
`OF VEHICLE
`ONTO ROADWPI
`
`13
`
`

`

`u.s. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`391~
`
`COMPONENT
`OPERATION
`MONITORING
`SYSTEM
`
`348
`
`347
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`of Occupant
`or Part Thereof
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`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 11, 2011
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`PIq.33
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`
`15
`
`

`

`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`1
`VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC OR PROGNOSTIC
`MESSAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND
`METHODS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`which is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/925,062 filed Aug. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,733,036; and
`3. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101174,709
`filed Jun. 19,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,506;
`4. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101188,673
`filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,697;
`5. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/330,938
`filed Dec. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,244;
`6. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/613,453
`filed Jul. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,824; and
`B. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/039,129
`filed Jan. 19,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,359 which
`is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.1 01701,
`361 filed Nov. 4, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,026;
`5. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/131,623
`filed May 18, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,453, which is a
`CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/043,557 filed Jan.
`20 11,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,135;
`6. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/421,500
`filed Jun. 1,2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,672,756, which is a
`CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 111220,139 filed Sep.
`6,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,460, which is a CIP of U.S.
`25 patent application Ser. No. 111120,065 filed May 2, 2005,
`now abandoned;
`7. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/421,554
`filed Jun. 1,2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,762;
`8. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/422,240
`30 filed Jun. 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,630,802, which is a
`CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 111220,139 filed Sep.
`6,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,460, which is a CIP of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 111120,065 filed May 2, 2005,
`35 now abandoned;
`9. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/464,288
`filed Aug. 14,2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,210 which is:
`A) a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/931,288
`filedAug. 31, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,164,117, which
`IS:
`1. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/613,453
`filed Jul. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,824; and
`2. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/805,903
`filed Mar. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,050,897; and
`B) a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/220,139
`filed Sep. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,460; and
`10. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/470,061
`filed Sep. 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,288, which is a
`CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 111220,139 filed Sep.
`50 6,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,460.
`All of the references, patents and patent applications that
`are referred to herein and in the parent applications are incor(cid:173)
`porated by reference in their entirety as if they had each been
`55 set forth herein in full. Note that this application is one in a
`series of applications covering safety and other systems for
`vehicles and other uses. The disclosure herein goes beyond
`that needed to support the claims of the particular invention
`set forth herein. This is not to be construed that the inventor is
`60 releasing the unclaimed disclosure and subject matter into the
`public domain. Rather, it is intended that patent applications
`have been or will be filed to cover all of the subject matter
`disclosed below and in the current assignee's granted patents
`and pending applications. Also please note that the terms
`65 frequently used below "the invention" or "this invention" is
`not meant to be construed that there is only one invention
`being discussed. Instead, when the terms "the invention" or
`
`This application is:
`1. a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 10/331,060 filed Dec. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 10
`7,635,043, which is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`101188,673 filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,697,
`which is:
`A. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 091753,186 15
`filed Jan. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,080, which is
`a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/137,918
`filedAug.20, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,787, which
`is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/476,077
`filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,437; and
`B. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101174,709
`filed Jun. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6, 735,506, which
`is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 091753,186
`filed Jan. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,080;
`2. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/638,743
`filed Aug. 11,2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,769 which is
`A. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101188,673
`filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,697; and
`B. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/330,938
`filed Dec. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,244, which
`is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101188,673
`filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,697;
`3. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/940,881
`filed Sep. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,663,502, which is:
`A. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/613,453
`filed Jul. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,824, which is
`a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`101188,673 filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,
`697; and
`B. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/805,903
`filed Mar. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,050,897, which
`IS:
`1. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101174,709,
`filed Jun. 19,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,506; and 45
`2. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No.1 01188,673,
`filed Jul. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,697;
`4. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 111082,739
`filed Mar. 17,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,321, which is:
`A. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 101701,361
`filed Nov. 4, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,026, which
`IS:
`1. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 091925,062
`filed Aug. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,036,
`which is:
`a. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/356,
`314 filed Jul. 16, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,
`704, which is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/137,918 filed Aug. 20,1998, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,175,787; and
`b. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 091767,
`020 filed Jan. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,
`316, which is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/356,314 filed Jul. 16, 1999, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,326,704; and
`2. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/043,557
`filed Jan. 11, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,135,
`
`40
`
`16
`
`

`

`US 8,036,788 B2
`
`3
`"this invention" are used, it is referring to the particular inven(cid:173)
`tion being discussed in the paragraph where the tenn is used.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to methods and
`systems for transmitting a diagnostic or prognostic message
`from a moving object such as a vehicle to a remote site.
`There are numerous apparatus, systems and methods
`described and disclosed herein. Many combinations of these
`are described but in order to conserve space the inventor has
`not described all combinations and pennutations of these
`apparatus, systems and methods, however, the inventor
`intends that each and every such combination and pennuta(cid:173)
`tion is an invention to be considered disclosed by this disclo- 15
`sure. The inventor further intends to file divisional, continu(cid:173)
`ation and continuation-in-part applications to cover many of
`these combinations and permutations, if necessary.
`
`4
`A method for monitoring the condition of at least one
`moving object in accordance with the invention includes
`arranging a communications unit on at least one moving
`object, enabling the communications unit to interface with a
`wireless communications network, monitoring at least one
`component or subsystem of the moving object via at least one
`sensor, generating diagnostic orprognostic infonnationabout
`the component or subsystem based on the monitoring thereof,
`coupling each sensor to the communications unit, connecting
`10 the wireless communications network to a remote site, initi(cid:173)
`ating transmission of diagnostic or prognostic messages from
`the communications unit of each moving object based on the
`generated diagnostic or prognostic information, and receiv-
`ing the transmission at the remote site for further processing.
`Generating diagnostic or prognostic infonnation about the
`component or subsystem may entail determining whether the
`component or subsystem is about to fail. In this case, the
`transmission of diagnostic or prognostic messages from the
`communications unit is a transmission of an indication of the
`20 actual potential failure of the component or subsystem.
`With such a transmission, when the remote site is another
`moving object, it can plan its movement based on the trans(cid:173)
`mission. When the remote site is a traffic control system, the
`traffic control system can plan traffic control measures based
`25 on the transmission, e.g., to enable the moving object to exit
`a traffic stream if it will be unable to move. When the remote
`site is a manufacturer of the moving object, the manufacturer
`can thereby maintain a database of infonnation about the
`moving object. When the remote site is a repairer or service
`30 center of the moving object, it can contact an owner or opera(cid:173)
`tor of the moving object to schedule repair of the component
`or subsystem. The diagnostic or prognostic message may be
`transmitted to any or all of these remote sites.
`Moreover, an interface may be provided on the moving
`35 object to enable an occupant of the vehicle to initiate the
`transmission of diagnostic or prognostic messages. In this
`case, it would be advantageous to notifY the occupant of the
`vehicle about the transmitted message related to the diagnos(cid:173)
`tic or prognostic infonnation about the component or sub-
`40 system or simply about the diagnostic or prognostic infonna(cid:173)
`tion, e.g., via a display visible to the occupant.
`A method for providing status data for vehicle maintenance
`in accordance with the invention includes monitoring for a
`triggering event on a vehicle having a wireless communica-
`45 tions unit, the triggering event relating to a diagnostic or
`prognostic analysis of at least one component or subsystem of
`the vehicle, and initiating a transmission between the com(cid:173)
`munications unit and a remote site in response to the trigger(cid:173)
`ing event. The transmission includes a diagnostic or prognos-
`50 tic message about the component or subsystem, e.g., a
`message about a potential failure of the component or sub(cid:173)
`system. The remote site may be a dealer, manufacturer, repair
`or service facility, with the transmission being directable to
`multiple remote sites. The triggering event may be a failure,
`55 predicted failure or fault code generation of the component or
`subsystem detennined, for example, using a pattern recogni(cid:173)
`tion system such as a neural network.
`A system for providing status data for vehicle maintenance
`in accordance with the invention includes a diagnostic mod-
`60 ule including at least one sensor for monitoring at least one
`component or subsystem of the vehicle, the diagnostic mod(cid:173)
`ule being arranged to analyze monitoring data provided by
`each sensor and detect a triggering event relating to a diag(cid:173)
`nostic or prognostic analysis of a component or subsystem of
`65 the vehicle, and a wireless communications unit arranged to
`interface with a wireless communications network. The com(cid:173)
`munications unit is coupled to the diagnostic module and
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`A detailed background of the invention is found in the
`parent applications, e.g., u.s. patent application Ser. No.
`08/476,077, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,437, and u.s. patent
`application Ser. No. 091753,186, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,
`080, incorporated by reference herein.
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide new and
`improved methods and systems for transmitting diagnostic
`and prognostic messages from a moving object to a remote
`site.
`In order to achieve this object and others, a system for
`monitoring the condition of at least one moving object in
`accordance with the invention includes at least one moving
`object, such as a vehicle, including a communications unit
`arranged to interface with a wireless communications net(cid:173)
`work, at least one sensor for monitoring at least one compo(cid:173)
`nent or subsystem of the moving object and which is coupled
`to the communications unit, and a remote site counected to
`the wireless communications network and arranged to receive
`diagnostic or prognostic messages from the moving object
`with the transmission initiated from the moving object.
`In one embodiment, a diagnostic module is provided and
`each sensor is coupled to or a part of the diagnostic module.
`The diagnostic module directs the communications unit to
`transmit a message to the remote site upon determining an
`actual or potential failure of a component or subsystem. Each
`sensor may be wirelessly coupled to the communications
`unit, or through wires via a vehicle bus.
`The remote site can be any site or location apart from the
`vehicle which is interested in receiving a message or indica(cid:173)
`tion about the diagnostic or prognostic status of one or more
`components or subsystems of the vehicle. For example, the
`remote site may be another moving object which can use the
`diagnostic or prognostic message to detennine its course of
`action, a traffic control system which can use the diagnostic or
`prognostic message to direct traffic flow to enable the moving
`object to exit a traffic stream, a manufacturer of the moving
`object which can use the diagnostic or prognostic message to
`determine faults with components and notifY other vehicle
`owners or operators about such faults, and/or a seller or
`repairer of the moving object which can use the diagnostic or
`prognostic message to contact the vehicle operator or owner
`to schedule repair or servicing of the moving obj