US 6,928,348 B1 · Internet-based emissions test for vehicles

Abstract

The invention provides a method and device for characterizing a vehicle's emissions. These systems feature the steps of generating a data set from the vehicle that includes at least one of the following: diagnostic trouble codes, status of a MIL, and data relating to I/M readiness flags; and then transferring the data set to a wireless appliance that features a microprocessor and a wireless transmitter in electrical contact with the microprocessor. The wireless appliance then transmits a data packet comprising the data set (or a version of the data set) with the wireless transmitter over an airlink to a wireless communication system. Here, ‘a version of the data set’ means a representation (e.g., a binary representation) of data in the data set, or data calculated or related to data in the data set.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A method of remotely testing emissions of a vehicle, comprising:

(a) wirelessly receiving, by a computer system and from a vehicle, data comprising at least one of (i) at least one vehicle diagnostic trouble code (DTC), (ii) status of a MIL, and (iii) data relating to at least one I/M readiness flag;
(b) analyzing the received data to determine a status of the vehicle's emissions;
(c) repeating the wirelessly receiving and analyzing while the vehicle is in use, wherein the repeating is stopped when a predetermined set of readiness flags are characterized by a complete condition;
and
(d) outputting information indicative of the determined status of the vehicle's emissions.

2 more elements

A programmed apparatus, programmed to execute a method of remotely testing emissions of a vehicle, said method comprising:

(a) wirelessly receiving, by a computer system and from a vehicle, data comprising at least one of (i) at least one vehicle diagnostic trouble code (DTC), (ii) status of a MIL, and (iii) data relating to at least one I/M readiness flag;
(b) analyzing the received data to determine a status of the vehicle's emissions;
(c) repeating the wirelessly receiving and analyzing while the vehicle is in use;
(d) outputting information indicative of the determined status of the vehicle's emissions;
(e) storing at least a portion of the received data in a database;
(f) wirelessly receiving GPS data from the vehicle;
and
(g) providing at least one webpage with access to emissions testing software,
wherein the vehicle is at a location remote from an emissions testing entity,
wherein the repeating includes determining whether the vehicle's emissions are compliant with at least one predetermined emissions criterion;
wherein the repeating includes monitoring the data relating to the at least one I/M readiness flag, wherein the monitoring is authorized by a user,
wherein outputting information includes sending an electronic text, data, or voice message to a computer, cellular telephone, or wireless device,
wherein outputting information includes displaying information on at least one webpage,
wherein outputting information includes notifying an entity when the vehicle's emissions are not compliant with at least one test criterion,
wherein outputting information includes providing information concerning the vehicle's emissions to at least one entity, wherein the at least one entity comprises a governmental or nongovernmental organization or a user, and
wherein analyzing the received data includes:
(i) determining if one or more DTCs are present among the received data;
(ii) determining the status of the MIL;
and
(iii) determining a status of the at least one I/M readiness flag.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Internet-based emissions test for vehicles

Life of this patent

Internet-based emissions test for vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36