US 4,441,359 A · Method and apparatus for inspecting vehicles

Abstract

Different types of automotive vehicles having differing age and mileage parameters are automatically inspected. The different types of vehicles are variables such as vehicle maker, model, and engine type. A programmed digital computer responds to outputs of measuring instruments for inspected engine, steering and braking responses of the vehicles. For each vehicle, the computer is supplied with data indicative of the vehicle type, the parameters and with signals indicative of the vehicle engine, steering, and braking responses. The computer responds to the program, signals and data to (a) derive extreme values for a range of acceptable values for each of the inspected engine, steering and braking responses, (b) compare the outputs of the measuring instruments indicative of the vehicle engine, steering, and braking responses, and (c) derive a malfunction signal for each engine, steering and braking response outside of the range of values therefor.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for inspecting vehicles comprising:

(a) means for generating vehicle type signals indicative of the type of vehicle being inspected,
(b) means for measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters and generating vehicle measurement signals indicative thereof,
(c) means for generating additional vehicle signals indicative of at least one of vehicle age and mileage,
(d) means for generating a plurality of reference value signals in response to said vehicle type signals and said additional vehicle signals, said reference value signals indicating reference values for the measured vehicle parameters, said reference value signals depending on the additional vehicle signals so that the reference values vary in accordance with at least one of vehicle age and mileage,
(e) means for comparing said vehicle measurement signals with said reference value signals for generating one of vehicle condition acceptable and vehicle condition unacceptable signals, and
(f) means for providing a visual indication of said vehicle condition acceptable and vehicle condition unacceptable signals.

3 more elements

A method of automatically inspecting different types of automotive vehicles having differing age and/or mileage parameters, the different types of vehicles being indicated by variables such as vehicle maker, model, and engine type, the method being performed with a programmed digital computer and measuring instruments for inspected engine, steering and braking responses of the vehicles, comprising for each vehicle:

supplying the computer with data indicative of the vehicle type and at least one of the parameters, supplying the computer with signals indicative of the vehicle engine, steering, and braking responses in response to outputs of the measuring instruments;
the computer responding to the program, signals and data indicative of the vehicle type and at least one of the parameters, to (a) derive extreme values that are functions of the at least one parameter and vehicle type for a range of acceptable values for each of the inspected engine, steering and braking responses, (b) compare the outputs of the measuring instruments indicative of the vehicle engine, steering, and braking responses with the range of values for the corresponding responses, and (c) derive a malfunction signal for each engine, steering and braking response outside of the range of values therefor;
and indicating each malfunction in response to each of the malfunction signals.

Apparatus for automatically inspecting different types of automotive vehicles having differing age and/or mileage parameters, the different types of vehicles being indicated by variables such as vehicle maker, model, and engine type, comprising a programmed digital computer, measuring instruments for deriving signals indicative of inspected engine, steering and braking responses of the vehicles, means for supplying the computer with data indicative of the vehicle type and at least one of the parameters, means for supplying the computer with the signals indicative of the vehicle engine, steering, and braking responses in response to outputs of the measuring instruments;

the computer responding to the program, signals and data indicative of the vehicle type and at least one of the parameters, to (a) derive extreme values that are functions of the at least one parameter and vehicle type for a range of acceptable values for each of the inspected engine, steering and braking responses, (b) compare the outputs of the measuring instruments indicative of the vehicle engine, steering, and braking responses with the range of values for the corresponding responses, and (c) derive a malfunction signal for each engine, steering and braking response outside of the range of values therefor;
and means for indicating each malfunction in response to each of the malfunction signals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for inspecting vehicles

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for inspecting vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18