Equipment service vehicle with network-assisted vehicle service and repair

A system comprising:

• (A) an equipment service vehicle including
• (1) a power source,
• (2) a power transmission link,
• (3) a plurality of input devices, the plurality of input devices including a sensor that provides information pertaining to health and operation of the equipment service vehicle,
• (4) a plurality of output devices,
• (5) an on-board computer system including a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links;
• and
• (B) an off-board computer system;
• wherein the on-board computer system receives the health and operation information from the sensor, the health and operation information being used to determine that the equipment service vehicle has a part in need of replacing;
• and
• wherein the on-board communication establishes a wireless radio-frequency communication link with the off-board computer system and places an order for a replacement part to replace the part in need of replacing.

A system comprising:

• (A) an equipment service vehicle comprising
• (1) a communication network,
• (2) a plurality of vehicle subsystems, each vehicle subsystem comprising a mechanical system and an electronic control system that controls the mechanical system, each respective electronic control system being connected to the pertaining to the health and operation of the mechanical system on the communication network,
• (3) an on-board computer system including
• (a) a test control module, the test control module being coupled to the plurality of vehicle subsystems by way of the communication network, the test control module being programmed to acquire at least some of the information pertaining to the health and operation of the mechanical system, and
• (b) an operator interface, the operator interface being coupled to the test control module, the operator interface comprising a display that displays the at least some information pertaining to the health and operation of the mechanical system, the operator interface displaying a menu of test options to an operator of the equipment service vehicle and receiving an operator input, the operator input being indicative of a menu selection made by the operator, the menu selection indicating a test selected by the operator;
• and
• (B) an off-board computer system;
• wherein the on-board computer system performs the selected test on the vehicle and displays results of the test to the operator using the operator interface, the results of the test indicating that a vehicle part is in need of replacing;
• and
• wherein the on-board computer is capable of establishing a wireless radio-frequency communication link with the off-board computer system to place an order for a replacement part to replace the vehicle part.

A method of ordering parts for an equipment service vehicle comprising:

• performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle, the results of the diagnostic test indicating that a part on the equipment service vehicle is in need of replacing;
• transmitting a request for a replacement part for the part in need of replacing, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to a first off-board computer system by way of a wireless radiofrequency (RF) communication link, the first off-board computer system being associated with a maintenance center that maintains the equipment service vehicle;
• transmitting the request from the first off-board computer system to a second off-board computer system, the second off-board computer system being associated with a parts supplier that is capable of supplying replacement parts for the equipment service vehicle;
• responding to the request at the second off-board computer system, including transmitting expected delivery date information of the replacement part at the maintenance center, the expected delivery date information being transmitted from the second off-board computer system to the first off-board computer system;
• and
• scheduling the equipment service vehicle for maintenance on a scheduled maintenance date, the scheduling step being performed by the first off-board computer system based on the expected delivery date information.

A diagnostic testing method for an equipment service vehicle having a plurality of vehicle subsystems, the method comprising:

• displaying a plurality of test options of an off-board computer system;
• receiving an operator input using the off-board computer system, the input being indicative of a selection made by the operator, the selection indicating a test selected by the operator;
• performing the selected test on the vehicle using a sensor or at least one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems or both, the sensor being configured to obtain health and operation information for a vehicle device;
• acquiring health and operation information pertaining to results of the test from the at least one vehicle subsystem or from the sensor or from both;
• transmitting the health and operation information from the test interface module or the at least one vehicle subsystem or both to the off-board computer system using a wireless communication link;
• and
• displaying the results of the test to the operator using the off-board computer system.